Scratching film in enlarger

tkamiya · Dec 3, 2009

I seem to scratch my negative while I print. My negative carrier is a sandwich type (non-glass) Omega D2 kind. I'm careful to open up the sandwich slightly when I move the negative to adjust its position.

Are there any tricks to avoid this? I thought about using masking tape or something around the opening but then I might get some glue on film.....

Rick A · Dec 3, 2009

Yes --CLEAN, CLEAN, and CLEAN everything, then do not move the film after it is in the carrier. Make sure there isn't any dust or other grit on the film or carrier. If you have any type of anti-static cloth or brush- this is the place to use them.

Rick

Renato Tonelli · Dec 3, 2009

What Rick says; If you need to move the film, remove the carrier from the enlarger, make the adjustment only when the negative is not sandwiched.

ic-racer · Dec 3, 2009

Has the opening been filed out? Perhaps it needs some additonal work.

tkamiya · Dec 3, 2009

No, I didn't file the opening. It's the standard 35mm carrier. That being said, this thing is older than me. Although it doesn't feel rough to touch, it is entirely possible there may be microscopic imperfections. I'll thoroughly clean it and see what happens.

Rick A · Dec 3, 2009

Maybe if you polish the carrier, then seal it with something-varnish or laquer, or an enamel, might help. My carriers are enameled except for my 35mm full frame, its bare aluminum.

Rick

tkamiya · Dec 3, 2009

I'll polish it with automotive paste wax containing polishing compound, then use alcohol to remove the wax. That should get it very smooth without damaging the surface, don't you think? Mine has painted surfaces.

Rick A · Dec 3, 2009

Sounds good, as long as it doesn't create static cling(shouldn't with high humidity).

Rick

olleorama · Dec 3, 2009

Touching it while being grounded (uh, like holding a radiator), usually diminishes static problems.

Anscojohn · Dec 3, 2009

tkamiya said:
I seem to scratch my negative while I print. My negative carrier is a sandwich type (non-glass) Omega D2 kind. I'm careful to open up the sandwich slightly when I move the negative to adjust its position.

Are there any tricks to avoid this? I thought about using masking tape or something around the opening but then I might get some glue on film.....

*********
I have used Omega carriers to cut string the edges can be that sharp. Remove the carrier and take the top part off to make adjustments or to change negs.

fschifano · Dec 3, 2009

Polish this, clean that, and you know what? If you drag the film strip through the negative carrier, it will get scratched. Don't do it and the film won't get scratched. It's that simple.

tkamiya · Dec 3, 2009

I will use my top secret plutonium nuclear polisher to make the surface ultra-super-special smooth, then pull the film through it at half the speed of light. I will report back later with the results.

Anscojohn · Dec 3, 2009

tkamiya said:
I will use my top secret plutonium nuclear polisher to make the surface ultra-super-special smooth, then pull the film through it at half the speed of light. I will report back later with the results.

*******
Or just get a Beseler........:rolleyes:

George Collier · Dec 3, 2009

Well, I use 4x5, 120 square, and 35mm glassless Omega carriers all the time. The 35mm is fairly new (bought new in 1980, painted bottom black and top white, I think - or visa versa - it's down in the darkroom), the other two are very old, just aluminum matte finish. I move and adjust negs all the time, and for many years, by taking the carrier out of the enlarger, holding vertical as I look through the neg, and loosely, so the film is relaxed inside, make the adjustment, put it back in. Never a scratch, ever, not once.

Makes me think yours have been burred, or somehow defaced, maybe just a bit but enough. I'd be tempted to polish as others have suggested. You could put in a wet neg (solid black), move it around a bit, and maybe locate the offending spot. :confused:

Toffle · Dec 3, 2009

George Collier said:
You could put in a wet neg (solid black), move it around a bit, and maybe locate the offending spot. :confused:

I would think that the location of the scratches on your existing negs should give you a pretty good idea of where your problem(s) lie. If it's just a single spot it should be pretty easy to fix. If they are all over the place, it is either a handling error or your carrier is in really (really) bad shape. (but it doesn't sound like it from your description) One way or the other, I'm betting dollars to donuts that you'll have the problem solved before the weekend is done.

Cheers,

Ronald Moravec · Dec 4, 2009

A little 400 grit emery cloth around the opening to smooth it.

But the real key is to take the top off, move the film, replace the top. If you slide film, there is always the possibility of scratching whether is is rough surface or some small debris get cought.

If you reall must pull film thru, there was a special carrier made for that that will be hard to find today. It may have been aftermarket item. There are troughs for the rolls at each end. I have seen one in 50 years.

I suppose you could ceate a tape channel for the film. but flatness will be worse and film not being flat, will tend to rub the top anyway.

So bevel the opening a little, re blacken, and stop sliding film thru.

Scratching film in enlarger

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