Ink for numbering film or frames?

[AgCl4ever]

Some film has no frame numbers. Numbering the frames with pen and ink, a la David Vestal (and Stanley Kubric), avoids (or at least reduces) the printing-one-frame-after-another approach to selecting the desired frame from scans or contact sheets out of a roll of similar shots. Since there is not a lot of space in the rebate an extremely fine point is needed, along with ink that will not smudge on acetate or polyester base. Something that would survive alcohol or film cleaner would be an asset.

Has anyone discovered anything besides a straight pen or technical (e.g., Kohinoor, rapidograph) pen and drafting ink that works? Something like an extra-extra-extra fine point sharpie would be great.

Ken

 

[jpberger]

There is a sharpie ultrafine point,

Dead Link Removed)

Failing that, you'll have to do your own test with film cleaner or alcohol, but I would try a sakura pigma micron- comes in .005 mm point and it's waterproof permanent pigment ink. They cost $3-4 at any art supply store.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Another trick that old-time photographers utilized was to use a paper punch to take out a small nibble from the side of a negative you wish to print. By small nibble I mean about 1/16 of an inch aand not a complete hole. This has the advantage that you can feel the nibble in the dark. No need to keep putting on the white light.

 

[L Gebhardt]

Faber Castell Pitt artist pen with an S point. Indian ink and I haven't found it to come off with film cleaner or drum scanner fluid.

http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell...2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1308191576&sr=1-2

 

[L Gebhardt]

I should add the Indian ink works better than sharpie ink when contact printing. It shows up as nice and white, where as a sharpie is more middle gray.

 

[holmburgers]

I've found that sharpies don't cut it, they don't lay down enough ink. I actually used a brush once with some sumi ink, which did an excellent job... though this was before I learned that sumi ink washes off in water..

I second India ink.

 

[M. Lointain]

I label the edge of my 4x5 negs with a Sakura Pigma Micron archival pen. The tip is .25mm (#01). The pen only costs a couple bucks as well. It shows up no problem on contact sheets. You may want to get a larger one for 35mm since you will have more space.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/sakura-pigma-micron-pen/

 

[Neanderman]

Do they still make Rapidograph pens? They were used by draftspeople when working on mylar. They came in insanely fine tips and use any liquid ink you can find.

I have a bunch from my dad.

Ed

 

[AgCl4ever]

Thanks everyone, I picked up a Faber Castell Pitt today.

 

[Brac]

Some CD marker pens with fine points are suitable. The well known firm Staedtler also do permanent marker pens which are equally suitable. I've used these for years.

 

[Tim Gray]

I'm surprised Pigma pens work. They don't really stick well to RC prints.

I think they still make Rapidograph pens too.