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Print File film storage and scratches on film

tkamiya

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Has anyone noticed fine film scratches perhaps created when using Print File archival film folder pages? (this is for 35mm film)

I've been noticing very fine horizontal scratches on non-emulsion side of film. It tends to be worse on earlier number frames on a given strip. These scratches are especially noticeable on margin (sprocket holes area) of the film. I am thinking, because I must slide the film into these film storage pages and I usually do it in smaller number first direction, perhaps minute amount of dust in the sleeves are causing these scratches. Because of the direction, smaller number side gets dragged the full length of the sleeve. Did anyone notice this?
 
Yes, but I don't know if it was actually caused by the print file style sheets. I switched to individual top load sleeves, and have cleaner negs now. Again, not sure if there was real causation there, but I'm happier overall with the individual sleeve and folder style storage solution than the print file pages, so I'm not complaining.
 
tkamiya said:
Has anyone noticed fine film scratches perhaps created when using Print File archival film folder pages? (this is for 35mm film)
Click to expand...
I had trouble with scratches which I suspected may be caused by these pages, so tried using individual glassine sleeves (6 strips in one sleeve) to see if there was any improvement. There was a significant improvement, even with the increased handling involved in making contact prints without being able to print through the page.
 
I've been using them for 35mm, 120, and 4x5 for over 30 years and never had that problem.
 
eddym said:
I've been using them for 35mm, 120, and 4x5 for over 30 years and never had that problem.
Click to expand...
Dust is unavoidable in my house, so I'm pretty sure I introduce dust into the pages when I insert the negatives. The slots are pretty tight, so I get some scratches and some dust that won't brush off. Using a looser sleeve seems to avoid that.

The pages themselves are probably fine, it's just a dust problem for me. If I could eliminate the dust issue I'd have no problem with the Print File pages.
 

Same with me - we have cats and so lots of dust and hair everywhere. I moved to the Printfile Ultima series with the sleeves that insert into the page. Works great, and will contact print onto 8.5x11 paper.
 
Tim Gray said:
I switched to individual top load sleeves
Click to expand...

Will you give me a link to the product you use? I've never heard of such things but sounds beneficial.
 
ITD said:
The slots are pretty tight
Click to expand...

Yes, they are VERY tight and I do not like it. 120 kind isn't so bad but I have problem sliding 35mm film sometimes. I wish I can them loose like ones those 1 hour C-41 process places use. Getting some dust particle trapped is unavoidable to me.

I am not 100% sure if I can blame my problem to these sleeves either, but looking at the pattern and the location of these scratches, it makes the most sense.
 
Yep. I really messed up all of my first year of film by using those things. One of them is fine. But when a bunch of them are stacked together, and there is any motion (such as carrying them to school, even in a closed plastic binder), they rub and scratch. They also don't do a lot to keep dust off the edges of the film, and their static charge actually attracts dust IME. I use them sometimes just for doing proofs, but I no longer use them for long-term storage. I use plastines and glassines now.
 
dfoo just posted the link. I use the archival methods stuff too. Great but a little pricey. I didn't realize there were print file pages that you can slide sleeved negatives into. Cool. I guess I'll stick with the box and folder system though.

Just to be clear, I don't think the printfile style pages actually cause the scratches. It just seems plausible to me that if some bit of dust or grit gets caught in there, sliding a negative in and out all the time would cause it to get scratched.
 
Wait.... so to use these Archival Method "sleeves" one has to purchase another sleeve to put the film into, then into these pages??

Yes, I know, PrintFile stuff doesn't cause the scratches, trapped dust do, but in practical use for me, there is no possible way to not get dust trapped at one point - so it doesn't seem to be a good solution for my storage needs.
 
Jeff Bannow said:
Same with me - we have cats and so lots of dust and hair everywhere. I moved to the Printfile Ultima series with the sleeves that insert into the page. Works great, and will contact print onto 8.5x11 paper.
Click to expand...

Where have you been getting them?
 
My film comes directly out of the shower/dryer into the regular printfile pages and I haven't noticed this problem.

Now I'm paranoid with so many reporting scratches.
 
tkamiya said:
Wait.... so to use these Archival Method "sleeves" one has to purchase another sleeve to put the film into, then into these pages??
Click to expand...

I order the sleeves and then a box with little envelopes. You could store them in a regular mail envelopes and shoe boxes if you wanted I guess.

This link should explain it. You get 100 sleeves, 50 envelopes, and a box. I find that I need to order extra sleeves because 100 sleeves isn't enough for 50 rolls of 35mm film...
 
My EOS 1N RS seems to be scratching the film on its own BEFORE I put them into PrintFile sleeves. It is on the base side but still very annoying. I can't seem to find the culprit on the film back, might be in the take-up spool?
 
Jeff Bannow said:
I've been ordering them directly from Printfile.com. You have to order the sleeves and pages separately.
Click to expand...

Are you cutting down 11x14 paper to make proof sheets? Those pages are pretty big.
 
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