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How to flatten bowed/curled 120 film?

rrunnertexas

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Mar 27, 2015
Messages
76
Location
Texas
Format
Multi Format
I have developed several rolls of 120 B&W film and most have remained close to flat after drying and scan very well.

My color film is another story. The film "bows" inward causing a very harsh curl. The curl is on the short side of the negative. In other words, when on a flat table, the center of the negative is curved way up. :eek:

Any suggestions on how to get the film to flatten out prior to scanning?

Thanks in advance.
 
I press them between glass plates for a week or longer.
 
Are you developing your colour film yourself?

Curl is often caused by too rapid drying or drying in an environment with too little humidity.
 
Yes, I am developing myself.

I'm going to develop another roll this afternoon. I will take your advice and let the film hang to dry in another location with more humidity and see how that works.

Thanks for the advice!
 
rrunnertexas said:
Yes, I am developing myself.

I'm going to develop another roll this afternoon. I will take your advice and let the film hang to dry in another location with more humidity and see how that works.

Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...

Hang it over your bathtub.

Run your shower and steam up the bathroom a little first and it will take the dust out of the air. Some load large format film holders this way to help eliminate the dust.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I find the curl differs with type of film and drying conditions. I have not found pressing with heavy books and such to flatten the curl out much, so I invested in a film holder for scanning that uses a sheet of anti newton ring glass. It was well worth it and it also makes loading the film holder much less fiddly.
 
Good Morning,

After the film is completely dry, load it, emulsion side out, onto a developing reel and let it rest for a few days. I've found that this works well with a naturally curly film such as Foma 200; I see no reason it won't work with other types as well.

Konical
 
I'd not bother with the scans. Learn how to interprete the negative with a loupe. When printing, a glass negative carrier is the usual solution.
 
When I hang for drying I use a weight at the tail. Typically just a wooden clothes pin.
 
I developed a roll of Kodak Ektar 100 yesterday afternoon. While drying I hung the film up in a humid bathroom for over an hour. Sure enough, the curl was much less than the other rolls I had done days before. What a difference that made.

I did find a vendor that sells an upgraded film holder and ANR glass for the Epson V550 scanner that I use. My thought is this will also help keep the film much flatter than the Epson film holder.

Maybe in a week or so it will arrive so I can confirm.
 
I put a cloths hanger on the shower curtain rod. I have a couple of binder clips that I attach freely to the hanger. For 35mm film I attach the film to 1 clip that's the same width as the film. I then attach 2 to the bottom of the roll for weight. For 120, I use 2 clips at the top and make sure it's equal. Then I do the same on the bottom, and adjust as needed. If the film hangs straight it shouldn't have the curl that you're describing. Sometimes I add extra clips on the bottom. It's a cheaper method than buying the weighted stainless steel ones. Also I let the film hang for a few hours before I remove it.
 
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