Cutting Negatives

Good Morning,

I don't find any particular problem using scissors, either with 35mm or 120. What's annoying is that some 35mm cameras place the film gate in a position which places each frame edge at a sprocket hole instead of between holes, leaving either a couple of extra possibilities for snagging in a negative holder or the nuisance of lots of extra angled trimming. Maybe that's just another reason for using only MF and LF!

Konical

A long time ago, Polaroid marketed a cutter similar to the AP cutter pictured above with their short lived instant 35mm slide film. Someone may have one lying around in a junk drawer they would be wiling to part with. I use mine when I can find it, otherwise its just scissors.

I hate those cutters: "scratch - cut - scratch", they go.

What's wrong with scissors?

Andreas Feininger recommends a fine pair of barber's shears, as stated by others above. Too bad a good pair can cost several hundred bucks!

bvy said:

Admittedly, this is what I've been doing. It seems like the cork could potentially scratch the negative. Any conerns there?

Click to expand...

None at all. Place the ruler directly from above, no sliding around, press firmly, make the cut. No big deal.