Lenny,sorry my comments upset you but I have a right to speak my mind just like anyone else;I have never used or needed to use neg cleaner and if I had to,I would limit myself to the non-emulsion side;Irrational fears might be irrational but they are still fears.I'll stick to dry scanning.
Ralph, you have every right to express yourself. I wouldn't want to limit this, or make you feel unwelcome. I suggested your fear was irrational, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I am sure we all have irrational fears about one thing or another.
This is however, where it stops. You must acknowledge (I am sure happily) that you are a published author. This gives you a platform as someone who was expert enough to write a book and get it published. People will give your opinion more weight than someone who is an amateur photographer, for example. When you express your opinion about something it should be researched appropriately and carefully thought out.
If you want to ask a question, or muse about something, there is no harm, as long as you indicate that this is what your are doing. You have made many statements in the past few months that are in an area where you do not have expertise. You should be asking questions, not making proclamations that sound like they are intended to be general rules. Incorrect general rules hurt everyone. They become the "word-on-the-street about something.
An example: There are tons of people who think that they have to close down two stops from wide open because of diffusion. When using a view camera, which is my area of specialty, this effect is, in fact, with a decent lens, negligible. The effects are so small that it needn't be bothered with, unless one is doing tabletop, or shooting condensation drops on Coke cans. As a result, thousands of people are losing out on the depth of field they want. All because someone made a statement about this without properly testing it (yes, I have).
I have no problem with anyone questioning anything. However, adding new rules, new statements about "how things work" should be resisted appropriately. Beginners, who frequent forums, shouldn't be saddled with rules that are incorrect, like the diffusion rules. Authorities, on any subject, should be careful.
If you don't want to wet mount, no one is going to force you. However, every professional scanner wet mounts. It is a safe and excellent way to get the most out of film scanning. There is no need to scare others out of wet mounting themselves. The question, "are there ill effects to these fluids" is a fair one. There is an answer however, it has been researched thoroughly, and this research is available if you look for it. There is research, material safety sheets, etc.
I have learned that I don't answer posts unless I actually know what I am talking about. I got into trouble a long time ago when I first started in forums. I am apparently not an expert in everything. I'm sure everyone will agree that there are plenty of areas where your authority is justified. i think others would be happier if you answer questions in those areas and ask questions were you aren't an expert.
