how to clear the dust off negative in the dry season

ericzhu

Member

Joined

Mar 14, 2007

Messages

22

Format

35mm RF

• Nov 24, 2008

• #1

Now it's winter in Beijing, China. I find that working at darkroom, the negative is easily floated with dust, small silk, etc. Since I wear sweater, my body is with static electricity, though I could get the dust off negative/negative carrier with hands, it's easily coming back. The air is too dry, dust particles are floating in the air. Any good solutions? Thanks.

 

ron110n

Member

Joined

Oct 27, 2008

Messages

130

Location

Los Angeles

Format

35mm RF

• Nov 24, 2008

• #2

ozone generator will ionize the air that makes the dust heavy so it fall in the ground. It also reduce static in the air.

 

Bob-D659

Member

Joined

Feb 10, 2008

Messages

1,273

Location

Winnipeg, Ca

Format

Multi Format

• Nov 24, 2008

• #3

Wiping the room down with a wet rag will humidify the air, helps a lot. You could also fill a large tray with hot water to help keep the humidity up.

 

Larry.Manuel

Member

Joined

Jan 23, 2005

Messages

291

Location

Kuiper Belt

Format

Medium Format

• Nov 24, 2008

• #4

You may find an anti-static generator useful. I have not tried one, but I hope too, soon.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/5n6apm

 

JBrunner

Moderator

Moderator

Joined

Dec 14, 2005

Messages

7,429

Location

PNdub

Format

Medium Format

• Nov 24, 2008

• #5

Hi ericzhu,

It is always very dry here in Utah, so I know what you are up against. I have an air filter that is on a timer. It runs every night for a few hours, long enough to turn the air over every night. This has helped a lot. I use a blower bulb and an anti static brush when prepping negs for the carrier or contact frame.

 

RJS

Member

Joined

Jan 4, 2005

Messages

246

Location

Southern Cal

Format

Multi Format

• Nov 24, 2008

• #6

Here (Southern California) we often have the same problem - Santa Ana winds with extremely low humidity. Inexpensive humdifiers which produce either cold or warm humidified air are available. They are sold primarily for medical uses - people with various breathing problems - but serve wonderfully in the dark room. I believe that these days most are made in China so you may not have a problem finding one

 

OP

OP

ericzhu

Member

Joined

Mar 14, 2007

Messages

22

Format

35mm RF

• Nov 24, 2008

• #7

Thanks all for wonderful solutions. The humidifier is really made in China and I have one. Maybe later I would also buy the ozone generator/ air purifier. Last night, I wiped the floor with wet rag before working in the kitchen(my darkroom), it serves well.