DUST-LESS negative carrier

[JackRosa]

Looking for ideas to keep my <glass> negative carriers free of dust. Techniques I use: anti-static brush, anti-static cloth, compressed air (in a can), air purifier (ion type). It is a constant battle!

Are there any techniques out there that work better? Other than converting one's darkroom into a clean room, of course.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Good luck in finding a dustless glass carrier. Love the sharpness of them, but there are 6 surfaces to keep clean. I suggest keeping your enlarger clean.

 

[MattKing]

Control of your humidity may make the largest amount of difference - after filtering the air, of course.

What you wear (low dust) while working in the darkroom also matters, although in Oklahoma I expect you rarely do darkroom work in tweeds.

 

[rthollenbeck]

I've seen stretching negative carriers without glass. You'll still have to deal with dust. Just less surfaces.

 

[JackRosa]

No glass?

I've seen stretching negative carriers without glass. You'll still have to deal with dust. Just less surfaces.

Have never seen a glass-less 8x10 neg. Even if I could find such carrier, I think I'd still be more comfortable using my glass carrier with my 8x10 negatives.

I do have a glass-less 4x5 neg carrier and have used it quasi-successfully, but out of habit I always use the glass neg carrier to print important 4x5 negs. Same applies to my medium format negs.

Dust is my most formidable enemy when dealing with the 8x10 negs . . . more surface for dust to find a place to settle.

 

[JackRosa]

Humidity & Filtering

Control of your humidity may make the largest amount of difference - after filtering the air, of course.

What you wear (low dust) while working in the darkroom also matters, although in Oklahoma I expect you rarely do darkroom work in tweeds.

Thanks Matt. I do keep the humidity in the darkroom relatively high and here in Oklahoma, I usually just wear a pair of cotton shorts (no shirt) while in the darkroom . . . . I don't think clothing is the problem.

I will look for a way to improve how the air is being filtered.

I appreciate you taking the time to provide insight.

 

[Old_Dick]

I'm sure that you try to keep your darkroom dust free. I worked in a cleanroom for 7 years and picked up a few habits. We had tacky sheets we walked on before getting in and after we got in the cleanroom. Other wise it looks like you're doing all correct procedures. http://www.uline.com has cleanroom products.

 

[RobC]

Its said that if you are using a fan for air circulation in your dark room you should use it to blow air in and not out. That way you can filter it all at the fan instead of sucking air into the darkroom through every tiny crack in window frames or floor boards etc.

 

[JackRosa]

Tacky Sheets

I'm sure that you try to keep your darkroom dust free. I worked in a cleanroom for 7 years and picked up a few habits. We had tacky sheets we walked on before getting in and after we got in the cleanroom. Other wise it looks like you're doing all correct procedures. http://www.uline.com has cleanroom products.

Thanks for this suggestion. Had never thought to do this. Will look into it.

 

[JackRosa]

Air In vs. Air Out

Its said that if you are using a fan for air circulation in your dark room you should use it to blow air in and not out. That way you can filter it all at the fan instead of sucking air into the darkroom through every tiny crack in window frames or floor boards etc.

INTERESTING! Another idea I would have never thought of. THANKS.