Tool of the Devil, or Useful Darkroom Implement?

Is this the tool of the Devil?

  • Definitely the tool of the Devil

    Votes: 45 84.9%

  • Something I use occasionally

    Votes: 6 11.3%

  • Something I use every time I develop film

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • Total voters
    53

SodaAnt

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What say all, is this the tool of the devil or something that you use often or occasionally in the darkroom?

 

Kino

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Oh, now you've opened a can of worms...
 

Sirius Glass

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Nope.
Nope.
Never.
No way, no-how.
Unh-unh.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Never.
No way, no-how.
Unh-unh.
Nope.
Never!
Never! Never!
 

awty

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Good way of scratching a negative and leaving streaks.
After using most methods, I just wash in filtered water, shake off excess water and let dry in a dust free environment.
If there is any water marks I just gently wipe away with a lens cleaning cloth.
 

randyB

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I used one-1 time, it didn't scratch the film, I just decided that I did not want anything "hard" touching the wet film. I use a damp Yankee sponge squeegee to remove excess water/Photoflo. I rarely get a scratch, like maybe 5 in the last 50 years.
You'll get lots of suggestions and warnings, try them all and then you decide what is best for you.
 

Ian David

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Yeah, tool of the devil. The right final rinse mix with a bit of wetting agent and a bit of isopropyl alcohol (thanks Les McLean) and the water falls off the negs like it was never there...
 

MattKing

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If you are going to use one, you have to scrupulously clean and maintain it and you have to use it correctly.
If you slip up, it can cause havoc.
If it is properly used and maintained, it can improve throughput for higher volume labs.
 

rcphoto

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Only ever had an issue if I didn't dip them in photoflo solution first.
 

mshchem

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Even hardened emulsion scratch when used as these things are intended. I have to vote for "satanic implement" more than less.
 

mshchem

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The jumbo one Paterson made for rc prints put less pressure on the film than the smaller "Vise-Grip" Paterson model. Index and fore fingers dipped in Photoflo is what I use. Clean fingers are important.
 

eli griggs

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Pull it apart, snap the handle, and toss it into the trash from three feet away and know you still have your humanity!
 

gordrob

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Used one once a lot of years ago and didn't like the results (light scratches) so never again
 

Philippe-Georges

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I get horripilation when I only think about it!
The man who invented this film torture device should be severely reprimanded!

As RalphLambrecht said, two wetted fingers (in Agepon), but slowly and carefully.
 

tokam

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Like many others here I tried a new one nearly 50 years ago with no adverse results. Nowadays I just give the film a good whipping style shake and hang up after running the shower for a few minutes. A few drops of photoflo as well.

... which leads us into the next photographic religious war. Photoflo - a few drops in the tank or mix up per Kodak / Ilford instructions.

Going to start the popcorn machine.
 

Philippe-Georges

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Ha, ha, Photoflo, I mean AGEPON, sorry...
Well I am an avid SISTAN user, which is still made bij ADOX as Adomax (and Agepon too as Adoflo).
This is two in one, a wetting agent and an image stabiliser, what else do you want?
For film and paper.

BTW, a wetting agent should be used sparingly, just a few drops in filtered tap water, doesn't it?

An now I will get a 'piscine' and some olives (It's still summer), and sit back...
 

foc

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Oh ye of little faith.

It's not a tool or work of satan. There is no black magic to using one, just simple knowledge.

I have said it many times before on here.

If you wish to squeegee your film, you should do a few things first.
  • Use a good quality squeegee
  • Use the correct amount of wetting agent
  • Warm the squeegee blades in a beaker of warm water with a drop of wetting agent
  • Gently run your finger along each blade to check for nicks or grit.
  • To squeegee, hold the film up high and in one GENTLE movement squeegee the film.
  • The squeegee should JUST KISS the film, NOT GOUGE IT.



But then, each to his own.

(PS. I know this will bring the wrath of man upon myself)
 

Don_ih

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foc said:
If you wish to squeegee your film, you should do a few things first.
Click to expand...

All those things make sense. But they also seem to be too many things to worry about for most people - and some people will lack the gentle touch required. It's really very simple to hang up the film and not touch it all until it's dry.

Also, a lot of people are getting these things used, now, and the rubber is likely harder than it should be.

And there is also the possibility there is some tiny bit of grit on the film that will get dragged down and score the emulsion. No matter how fastidious you are regarding the squeegee itself, you can't anticipate that.
 

benjiboy

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No way, I have a Patterson one, but only ever used it once. I draw the negatives between the first wet two fingers of one hand after wetting them with water with wetting in it.
 
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