How long does film need to hang to dry?

nworth · Apr 27, 2015

It depends on a lot of things - humidity, air flow. the film, etc. In general, let it hang until it is dry. In a humid area like yours, overnight is not unreasonable. Around here (7 percent humidity a lot of the time), 3 hours often works, although it is more like 5 during monsoon season. Some people use special film drying cabinets or tubes with forced warm air flow for more rapid drying.

tkamiya · Apr 27, 2015

I have found, "dry to touch" isn't good enough. When not completely dry, film is vulnerable to scratches. I use "Print File" type storage and I struggled with scratches. When I let it dry 24 hours, I found chances of scratches are a lot less.

I live in central Florida.

Jim Jones · Apr 27, 2015

A final rinse in distilled water with Photo-Flo reduces the beads of water that slow complete drying. Shaking off any drops of water before hanging the negatives up also helps. Drying negatives on the reels with forced warm dry air is fast. A dryer for this can be improvised. Any air that is forced over wet film should be well filtered.

Vonder · Apr 27, 2015

I typically wait 2 hours, check the film and curse it not being dry enough to scan yet, then forget about it for 2 more hours and end up scannin it at 2am.

Ko.Fe. · Apr 27, 2015

Yesterday I developed Kodak something "professional" and 5245 in C-41, and after it Shanghai GP3 120 film and Kentmere 400.
By the time I finished clean up all four were dry and I cut them into the book for flattening. Wetting agent (Pro Flo) makes big difference. And also closing door into bathroom where negatives are, I think

pentaxuser · Apr 27, 2015

I check mine by gently drawing my two middle fingers down the film. If there is even a hint of stickiness then it will be apparent immediately. Stop testing and and just give it longer. If this is your first film then you might want to test every hour to see how long it takes. No problem with overnight but if you can test during the day then it might be that overnight isn't needed

Richard S. (rich815) · Apr 27, 2015

'Til it's dry.

In some cases where humidity is low seems some feel 1-2 hours is enough and they might be right. In other cases where humidity might be high or in a moist bathroom overnight or even 24 hours.

Reminds me of a joke: How long does a man's legs need to be? Long enough to reach the ground.

nyoung · Apr 27, 2015

Depends on what you need.

On deadline at the newspaper 30-years ago: 7-10 minutes - one end clipped to drying line, the other end in my left hand and a 1500 watt blow dryer in my right hand. Also requires a bottle of Edwal No-Scratch positioned near the enlarger.

Now in retirement at home - Over night in a closet with zero air circulation.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 27, 2015

I once tried to speed dry a film, still in its plastic spool for 60s in the microwave and it worked just fine.But if done for much longer, it can easily catch fire!

Simon R Galley · Apr 29, 2015

The old way in the UK press was to immerse the film in methalyted spirit then apply match !

I have also seen press films printed wet....

I do not recommend or endorse either process...!

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

RalphLambrecht · May 1, 2015

f/16 said:
I developed my first 2 rolls and they've been hanging in the shower for about 2 hours. About how long before I can take them down?

over night in a room or 10 min in a drying cabinet or 60s in a microwave

Greg Heath · May 1, 2015

In a microwave ??!!! What ???

If you can see no visible moisture or feel the emulsion and its dry then you are good.

Pioneer · May 1, 2015

Greg Heath said:
In a microwave ??!!! What ???

If you can see no visible moisture or feel the emulsion and its dry then you are good.

Any more than 60s and your lens distortion becomes far more visible.

Greg Heath · May 1, 2015

My film might look like a shrinky- dink

M Carter · May 1, 2015

I get too impatient when I go through film testing phases - this works like gangbusters for me (and I don't have to spot prints):

When the film is finished washing, I turn the shower on hot in the bathroom;

Photoflo/distilled water/ and a big splash of 99% isopropyl for the final bath;

Take the tank into the humid bathroom, unspool the film, and dry the top 1/2" or so with a kim wipe;

Clip the dry area and hang the roll;

Roll a fresh kim wipe into sort of a squeegie and gently slide it down the front and the back of the film - just get any standing water off so the film is damp with no drops or puddles;

Attach weighted clamp to the bottom;

Turn off the shower and close the door.

Film can be sleeved in about 2 hrs.

How long does film need to hang to dry?

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