I can't get rid of the dust

mark · Jul 16, 2004

I am damn tired of this dust problem. No matter what i do I cannot control it, I cannot get it all out or keep it out of my film holders. I have followed the advice of many people. I wipe, blow, vacuum, zip-lock, even sacrifice a white and black chicken. What the hell am I doing wrong? What films come in quick or ready loads?

Scratches are another problem. I have narrowed those down to my tubes and the dust. It is obvious which are which. I am going back to tray processing or finding a Unidrum.. Does any one use a home made slosher, and are they easy to make.

Francesco · Jul 16, 2004

Do as I do....I do not obssess over dust and thus get none! I use tubes with a three-piece design, fiberglass mesh screen under the film, etc.. No scratch, no dust spots.

DrPhil · Jul 16, 2004

Here's some directions for a slosher.

http://philbard.com/panel.html

There's a company that also makes them. Someone here shold know the name.

Readyloads come in TMAX 100, E100vs, E100G, E100GX, and some tungsten and print films that I've never used.
Quickloads come in Velvia (50 and 100F), Provia, Astia, and Acros. These are what I've used. Perhaps there are others too.

I'm curious about your dust problem. I've used regular holders for backpacking and never had serious dust problems. This includes trips to Deserts, Mountains, and everything in between.

mikewhi · Jul 16, 2004

I got one of those Zone VI electro-static brush thingies and it works great.
I have stockpiled enough film holders to last for a long photo trip so hopefully I won't have to re-load in the field. Oh, and the chicken won't work - has to be a pig. Sorry.

-Mike

Mateo · Jul 16, 2004

This is going to sound pretty silly but, I remove most of my clothing before going in to the darkroom to load holders. I swear by my voodoo trick.

Aggie · Jul 16, 2004

Mateo said:
This is going to sound pretty silly but, I remove most of my clothing before going in to the darkroom to load holders. I swear by my voodoo trick.

lol, should nude film loading be banned?

mark · Jul 16, 2004

SO I am vacuuming the house and I am in AZ and I start the sucker up and of course a dust cloud erupts and I watch the most amazing thing happen the dust cloud was sucked right back onto the cleaner and I get the static shock of my life. My static brush does not seem to work. DO those static cloths work? I think Ilford makes them.

As for personal film loading habits I just stick my arms in the tent. Right about the time the phone rings, the baby hurts himself, or the wife needs something real bad. I suppose I could just strip on down but that would look really silly.

KenM · Jul 16, 2004

mark said:
I am damn tired of this dust problem. No matter what i do I cannot control it, I cannot get it all out or keep it out of my film holders. I have followed the advice of many people. I wipe, blow, vacuum, zip-lock, even sacrifice a white and black chicken. What the hell am I doing wrong? What films come in quick or ready loads?

You seem to have done pretty much all you can, except for one thing: have you cleaned the felt light traps on the holders? While they keep out light, the also tend to capture dust. If you have access to an air compressor, try and blow out the traps. If you don't have a compressor, post-it notes will also work. Pass a note through the trap- the sticky part of the post-it notes will grab the dust. Just be careful that the note isn't too sticky, or you can pull out the felt - and yes, I speak from experience

Good luck!

Eric Rose · Jul 16, 2004

Ah I see your mistake. Should have been a black and white chiken, not white and black LOL. I have found that first vacuuming out the holders and then vacuuming out my changing tent does the trick. I load all my film in my changing tent. Might be a little more ackward, but so is spotting, which I hate. Much smaller area to keep clean too. And you can do all of this with your cloths on. But only if you want to.

bmac · Jul 16, 2004

I find I always get thirsty as soon as I have my arms in the tent, so I bought one of these...

that was a joke

Graeme Hird · Jul 16, 2004

I've never had a problem with the dust (it must be as Francesco says - I don't worry about it and I don't have it.)

One thing that I have wondered about (and I don't expect and answer online) is the possibility that people who are experiencing dust problems might have dandruff and are shedding skin on their films while they load. If you're using a tent, it doesn't apply, but what about others who are dusty and frustrated? Do any of you also have dandruff?

Cheers,

Johnny V · Jul 16, 2004

KenM said:
You seem to have done pretty much all you can, except for one thing: have you cleaned the felt light traps on the holders?

That's my vote too. Much dust and stuff lives there!

Try this:

With the holder vertical just insert the slide just enough until you see the edge come through. Now move the slide in and out so the edge rides the felt over and over. Use a vacuum as you do this.

Also the post-it idea sounds go too...though I never tried it.

Mateo · Jul 17, 2004

I think maybe people who live in more humid climes get a pass on dust. When I lived in Florida, I only had problems when the air conditioning was drying out the air. Here in California, if I wait until the fog rolls in at night I have less trouble.

matt miller · Jul 17, 2004

Humidity does help. Try loading film in the bathroom on the counter. Run the shower really hot for a few minutes, let the dust settle for a few minutes, and load film. I've never used a changing bag, but it sounds like a dust magnet to me.

Francesco · Jul 17, 2004

If you are using a changing bag keep it always in its upright shape - i.e. avoid folding it down each time you are finished using it. My Harrison Tent stays assembled unless and until I need to travel with it. Folding the tent as you will notice necessitates pushing the air out which may attract the dust through the sleeves. Also try and avoid obssessing with the interior of the tent. It will remain dust free if we refrain from playing with vacuum cleaners and such inside.

I can't get rid of the dust

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