Negative restoration

[Jarvman]

I've just gone to print one of my negs because sombody wanted a copy and I've found out to my horror there's a nasty scratch on it. I feel gutted cause I really like this image. There aren't any similar frames which I can print from either. Just wondering, how much would it cost to have it restored and where would be the best place to go for this service?

 

[msage]

I've just gone to print one of my negs because sombody wanted a copy and I've found out to my horror there's a nasty scratch on it. I feel gutted cause I really like this image. There aren't any similar frames which I can print from either. Just wondering, how much would it cost to have it restored and where would be the best place to go for this service?

Sorry to hear that, have you tried printing it with No-Scratch? Has saved more than one neg. for me.
Michael

 

[Jarvman]

What's no-scratch?

 

[reellis67]

No-scratch is a solution that you put on a scratched negative that reduces the appearance of the scratch. It works best with minor scratches. you can also use the oil from the side of your nose (I've heard). How deep is the scratch?

- Randy

 

[dmr]

What's no-scratch?

It's a fluid, smells like turpentine, that you paint over the negative to cover the scratches. I've used it on old negatives that I did not take care of when scanning and it does work quite well.

Edwal No Scratch, about $15 a bottle. Most real photo shops have it.

 

[Jim Jones]

A scratch that penetrates the emulsion is beyond help with No Scratch. However, No-Scratch does work well on light scratches on the base side of film. These scratches refract light away from the image path, and show up light in the print. No-Scratch has much the same index of refraction as does the film base, and thus fills in the scratch. Nose oil does work fairly well. Both should be carefully cleaned from the film after use.

If the scratch penetrates the emulsion so it appears dark in the print, correction is more difficult. I've occasionally filled in such scratches with a very soft graphite pencil, and made further corrections in the print. Since you have a darkroom, this might be a good time to learn print retouching. White lines and dots in the print caused by scratches and dust can be filled in with dyes made for the purpose. The old favorite was Spotone. It may have been discontinued. Consider Diaphoto dyes http://www.silverprint.co.uk/fin3.html. It is diluted and applied with a very fine tipped brush. Practice on a poor print before trying it on a print you want to treasure.

 

[Jarvman]

That spotpen kit looks pretty interesting even though it's quite pricey at around £30. What isn't with this hobby though eh? Might be easier to worry about the print instead of the neg.

 

[Dave Miller]

That spotpen kit looks pretty interesting even though it's quite pricey at around £30. What isn't with this hobby though eh? Might be easier to worry about the print instead of the neg.

I haven't found the spotting pens to be of much use. Spotone dye is much easier to use, although discontinued, sets do turn up on eBay, and Silverprint sells an equivalent product.
You may have to go digital on the negative repair if the emulsion is damaged. This involves obtaining a high quality scan, sorting the problem in a computer, and then having a new negative written from your file. Quite expensive.

 

[reellis67]

My experience is along the lines of what Dave stated. The pens are, for me anyway, over-rated and somewhat difficult to use with good effect. I'll be getting a set of dyes in the new month or three.

- Randy

 

[Bob F.]

Have you tried printing it with the scratch? Sometimes what looks nasty does not effect the image noticeably, depending on the content where the scratch is. Or, if in suitable area, you may be able to diffuse that part of the print for part of the exposure without it becoming obvious.

Only place you will likely find Edwal products in the UK is at Mr. Cad (www.mrcad.co.uk). But give the old nose oil a try first - rub it at right angles to the scratch and don't overdo it...

Good luck, Bob.