negative and finger print on 4x5

Willie Jan · Dec 6, 2010

Hi,
I use 4x5 film (adox,apx100) where I now and than see a finger print on the neg.

I assume that this is done when I insert the neg into the holder and want to make sure the neg is behind the edge and not in the same space as where the insert fits.
With ilford I never had this problem. First solution would be to use ilford...

How do you guys insert film without getting finger grease on the neg. Washing hands, using gloves(does not work fine for me) etc....

jeffreyg · Dec 6, 2010

I've never had that problem with either Ilford or Kodak films. You could degrease your fingers with alcohol or acetone or try nylon gloves which seem better for me and they are washable and come in sizes and outlast cotton gloves. Could the fingerprints have been imparted during or post processing?

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Willie Jan · Dec 6, 2010

The negative has gray finger print lines. Could it be that the emulsion soaked the grease and developed spontaniously...

Mainecoonmaniac · Dec 6, 2010

I load sheet film handling them by the edge. Don't use gloves. Cloth gloves may give off lint and gloves in general make you loose dexterity need to load film in the dark.

FiatluX · Dec 6, 2010

I´ve only had fingerprints on Adox film that I changed in a changing tent in the middle of the Arizona desert @ 92° aka VERY sweaty hands inside that tent.. So obviously the salts in your sweat reacts with the silver in the emulsion and leaves "swollen" emulsion that develop differently than the untouched emulsion!

PVia · Dec 6, 2010

Handle by the edges only, and if you need to grab the neg for any reason grasp it ever so slightly near the notch code, that tiny bit of rebate.

Willie Jan · Dec 7, 2010

I must find a better way to load it without any touching at all than.
Is there a good trick for that?

PVia · Dec 7, 2010

Also, don't take the insert (dark slide) all the way out when loading...

CBG · Dec 7, 2010

Wash hands twice immediately before handling film. That gets most of the oils off your hands.

Martin Aislabie · Dec 7, 2010

I prefer to load my film in a cool environment - so that my fingers won't sweat in case I touch the emulsion

Some people recommend washing their hands in cold water before touching film.

I try to hold the sheets lightly between my finger nails but I don't think there is a "special" way of handling film so as not to touch the emulsion - practice with some sacrificial sheets

You might want to try powder free Latex gloves if your sweat is proving to be a problem

Good luck

Martin

Rolleijoe · Dec 13, 2010

I've always used those "doctor" gloves they sell at pharmacies. They are powdered inside, and leave absolutely no marks on the film whatsoever.

There were 3 months in '94 I was photographing the Battleship TX for the TDPW, and the only "dark" area near to where I was, had been the pharmacy. Everything was rusted, bent, but after I laid out the film/holders in my standard fashion, I had my guide close the door. Pure darkness (loved it). Used my medical gloves, and no problems with fingerprints at all.

My recommendation would be buy a box of medical gloves.

If you're still having a problem with the APX100, I'll be glad to take them off your hands ; D

Willie Jan · Dec 14, 2010

That is also a solution. I use these cloves already for working with cyanotype and other processes.

Thanks.

Usagi · Dec 14, 2010

I have had finger prints on Fuji Acros sheets too. Perhaps worst ones was sheets that I loaded under really hot and humid conditions.

Ilford, never. Adox, a lot.

Willie Jan · Dec 15, 2010

Jukka,
I have exactly the same experience with fuji and adox film.

negative and finger print on 4x5

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