How does one dry film, without getting a dusty mess?

[mablo]

I'm using a Kindermann film dryer for 135 and 120 which I bought for 40€. I'm happy with it.

 

[jgcull]

My house is dusty, but I don't have a problem drying film. I do hang it with clothes pins on a clothes hanger, in my shower. I don't run water first. We are careful not to dust powder in the bathroom if film's hanging, but I've never had a problem with dust. Good luck!

 

[zenrhino]

What really works for me is using photo-flo during the rinse, shaking off any excess water when the film is still on the reel (MUCH easier with 35 than 120 on stainless reels, ok for either on plastic reels) and using an old Kindemann dryer. I take the lid from my stainless tank and use that to cover the opening of the Kindemann so no dust settles back on the film (plus it dries the lid quickly).

 

[AutumnJazz]

I'm going to be doing E6 and B&W, by the way.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Your room can be dusty as long as the dust is settled and doesn't move around. I have used, for eight years, a basement closet. It's where my water meter is hidden, and it has never been cleaned. The film dries slowly in there, because there is none of the heating or cooling forced air reaching it, stirring up dust.
I could never understand the needs for a fan or anything that moves air around in the room, because it will kick up dust.

I know of one person that uses a tube with a fan and a filter that filters out the dust. It seems to work well for him, but I still don't see the need. But that's my world, I don't mind if it takes 5 hours for my film to dry. I hang them up and go do something else. No dust issues.

The main thing is that you don't want air circulating.

 

[keithwms]

Try to keep constant humidity. Steaming a room is fine but bear in mind that the humidity will drop precipitously (!) after you turn the water off. What you want is humidity to be high and constant throughout the whole process.

Water heaters are very good at lowering humidity... heat sources drive humidity down. So watch out for that. If you can lower the temp in your room, that will also help maintain humidity.

I think moving air is the enemy, I'd definitely not use a fan unless it's HEPA filtered.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The main thing is that you don't want air circulating.

I am not a fan of a fan in the room when film is drying.

When developing prints I am a fan of a fan.

Steve

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Put a bucket of water in the room if it's dry. It works.

Try to keep constant humidity. Steaming a room is fine but bear in mind that the humidity will drop precipitously (!) after you turn the water off. What you want is humidity to be high and constant throughout the whole process.

Water heaters are very good at lowering humidity... heat sources drive humidity down. So watch out for that. If you can lower the temp in your room, that will also help maintain humidity.

I think moving air is the enemy, I'd definitely not use a fan unless it's HEPA filtered.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

When developing prints I am a fan of a fan.Steve

Amen, brother. I have had issues with my darkroom ventilation lately, and it's just no fun to be inside with all those fumes. I open the door wide open between prints, but it's still better to have a continuous air flow.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Amen, brother. I have had issues with my darkroom ventilation lately, and it's just no fun to be inside with all those fumes. I open the door wide open between prints, but it's still better to have a continuous air flow.

Its even worse if one has been hitting the cheese too hard. :rolleyes:

Steve

 

[AutumnJazz]

Ok, thanks for the responses. Now another question:

I've been sitting on some film that I got back from a lab, who mistreated it. It is dusty and dirty and just...

How do I clean it? (HP5+, Astia, and Provia.)

 

[bdial]

1. Try blowing it off, either by blowing on it, or use an ear syringe or other bulb blower, or canned air
2. Brush it with a soft lens brush (Never "pet" the brush)
3. Use a film cleaner and pec pads

If those don't work, it's probably embedded in the emulsion. Soaking/re-washing the HP5 may work, for the color, try Photoshop (i.e. scan it and spot digitally).
If you have access to the proper c-41 and e-6 final rinse/stabilizer/etc you could try a soak. But since color prints happen digitally anyway, you might as well spot it on the computer.

Keep in mind that especially on the HP5, if you have grit or other substance embedded in the emulsion, if you remove it you will likely end up with a clear spot, which will make a black spot in the print. A black spot is much harder to deal with in print spotting than a white one.

 

[BetterSense]

I use the Bounty method of film drying

What is that? I'm interested in this method that supposedly gives dry film in 10 minutes.

 

[rst]

What is that? I'm interested in this method that supposedly gives dry film in 10 minutes.

The Bounty method of film drying is a method using paper towels to remove water from the film. Usually paper towels are kind of tear resistant. That means long fibers which means no fluff. I fold each perforated side of the paper towel into the middle and then fold that again so that the perforation is inside. I then fold this on the short side around the film and wipe along the film. Usually my Acros is ready for the enlarger in 10 minutes, Neopan 400 takes a bit more time. I call it Bounty method because I know that Bounty is a brand of paper towels known in the US although the method I use is the Kokett method of film drying

One thing to note. Make sure that your paper towel is not too soft because this means shorter fibers and thus more fluff. Since I use this method my dust problems nearly disappeared. At least I do not get dust into the emulsion. Also I have not produced any scratches on the film with this method. I works for me but that does not necessarily mean that it works for you. So please do not try it the first time with a film carrying your most importat images.

Cheers
Ruediger

 

[BetterSense]

That really sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, but I suppose if it dries faster it might pay off in less wet-time. Maybe I'll try it sometime. I'm nothing if not impatient.

 

[rst]

That really sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, ...

Yes I know, and that is exactly what it sounded to me when I first heard about it. But I gave it a try and I kept up with it.

Cheers
Ruediger

 

[yardkat]

My husband made me one of these: http://www.mediabaron.com/filmdryer.html
(He's so handy!)
I've only used it twice, but I liked it. Film dried fast, and it didn't curl.

 

[Pellegrino]

I was told by a photographer many years ago that if I hung a black plastic garbage bag on one wall of the darkroom, dust would be attracted to it. Not sure how effective this solution is overall--does anyone know?--but it couldn't hurt, I suppose.

Sara

 

[AutumnJazz]

You can give plastic a charge so that it collects dust.