Static when spooling

Solarize · Aug 28, 2006

So I've just started the process of rolling a 120 film onto a plastic reel tonight when my all too regular thought of; 'is it dark enough in here' starts to set in'. Of course it is, as it has been for the countless rolls of film before this one.

Difference tonight is the old, squeaky reel I'm using is misbehaving and generating a static spark of light as it recieves the film......annoying! After scouring the room (which has become a storage/dumping facility for family in my absence) for a good 15 minutes I finally have a new spool and can develop the film.

Four frames were fogged quite badly. Has anyone had a similar experience and/or do people take precautions to prevent this from happening?

arigram · Aug 28, 2006

That never happened to me. Granted, I am kinda new to the photographic world...
Is it humid or dry where you are?

Photo Engineer · Aug 28, 2006

If you fall below about 50% RH, then static is quite likely.

PE

Solarize · Aug 28, 2006

arigram said:
Is it humid or dry where you are?

I suppose it is quite dry, but I have no means to measure or yardstick to compare to. It is in a loft conversion in London.

Guess I'll just have to have a bucket of steamy water in the room

I thought it would be an issue of humidity, and in this case it really isnt that big a deal..... I was just suprised to see bright sparks of light next to my negs.

Photo Engineer · Aug 28, 2006

It depends on the type of film as well.

Major manufacturers such as Ilford, Kodak and Fuji incorporate antistatic compounds into the film layer and support to prevent this type of problem.

PE

fhovie · Aug 30, 2006

I used to have that problem with Tech Pan - Slowing down and adding humidity helped a lot. - Mostly slowing down.

Jerevan · Aug 30, 2006

I have had it once, with a 35 mm roll. I tried to rip off the gummy tape stuck at the end of the film, and the ensuing spark lit up like lightning in darkness. The roll was of course unspooled... Complete and utter failure. Since then, I am very careful, cutting any tape slowly with a sharp scissor.

Photo Engineer · Aug 30, 2006

Jerevan said:
I have had it once, with a 35 mm roll. I tried to rip off the gummy tape stuck at the end of the film, and the ensuing spark lit up like lightning in darkness. The roll was of course unspooled... Complete and utter failure. Since then, I am very careful, cutting any tape slowly with a sharp scissor.

That light generated by peeling tape away is technically not static electricity but rather is generated by the micro bonding force of the glue of the tape as it is being ripped apart.

PE

Dan Henderson · Aug 30, 2006

I have experienced the (incorrect but still easier to say) static spark when peeling the tape off of a 120 roll, but never serious enough to fog film. I usually cut the tape with scissors to be on the safe side (little kids blunt edged scissors to be on the even safer side!)

thebanana · Aug 30, 2006

I've had the same issue with 120 film. Now I just fold the tape over onto the film.

Jerevan · Aug 31, 2006

Photo Engineer said:
That light generated by peeling tape away is technically not static electricity but rather is generated by the micro bonding force of the glue of the tape as it is being ripped apart.

PE

Well, I can always count on learning at least one new thing every time I log on to APUG, that's for sure!

Static when spooling

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