Which should I use? Powder-free, Nitrile gloves or white, lint-free gloves?

Alan Edward Klein · Jun 8, 2020

Kinetronics makes anti-static gloves that I use when scanning film. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/206224-REG/Kinetronics_KSASGM_Anti_Static_Gloves.html

When loading and unloading film holders, I wash my hands in Dawn soap for dishes. It gets all the grease and perspiration off.

ArnoldJennings · Feb 9, 2023

I think nirtile are better for handling film.

EricHudson · Feb 9, 2023

It really depends on what you are handling the film for and your personal preference. Nitrile gloves are popular for their strength and resistance to chemicals, but white cotton gloves are favored for their softness and ability to avoid leaving residue or fibers. If you're handling film for preservation or archival purposes, white cotton gloves might be a better choice as they are less likely to damage or leave residue on the film. However, if you're handling film in a chemical-rich environment, nitrile gloves might be a better option for protection. I suggest buying both pairs to try at https://harmonycr.com/nitrile-gloves/ and then decide. Hope it helps

snusmumriken · Feb 9, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Maris: I've read that washing your hands with a dishwashing soap is good for getting your hands free of any natural oils is good too. What do you think?

For this reason, I only ever clean camera lenses after doing the dishes by hand, without gloves.

I never wear gloves to handle film, wet or dry, but I only do 35mm, which is easy to hold across the edges.

250swb · Feb 9, 2023

I wash my hands before handling film.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 10, 2023

I've been using these anti static gloves from Kinetronics. Not sure how much they reduce dust which is such a problem when scanning.

gloves | B&H Photo Video

Shop B&H's in stock, large inventory for fast shipping, great service and everyday low prices on gloves. For more info, please call 800-947-4415

www.bhphotovideo.com

rcphoto · Feb 10, 2023

I like to use cotton when I’m framing prints. Helps me avoid leaving fingerprints on glass and my hands don’t get sweaty. I’ll use nitrile if I’m tray developing film.

runswithsizzers · Feb 10, 2023

For people who wear gloves every day, something you want to avoid is latex sensitivity. Latex allergies are fairly common among health care workers. You definitely want to avoid powdered gloves made from natural latex. Less clear if non-powdered synthetic latex gloves should also be avoided. In the hopital where I worked, most employees switched from latex to nitrile long before I retired in 2017.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 10, 2023

runswithsizzers said:
For people who wear gloves every day, something you want to avoid is latex sensitivity. Latex allergies are fairly common among health care workers. You definitely want to avoid powdered gloves made from natural latex. Less clear if non-powdered synthetic latex gloves should also be avoided. In the hopital where I worked, most employees switched from latex to nitrile long before I retired in 2017.

I don't use powdered anything., I have enough trouble with dust.

Patrick Robert James · Feb 10, 2023

If I am going to handle dry film in the dark, like loading film holders, I wash my hands with 91% alcohol then use a paper towel to dry them off. Works like a charm. The alcohol both cleans my hands and cools them off so they don't sweat, at least not for quite a while.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 11, 2023

Patrick Robert James said:
If I am going to handle dry film in the dark, like loading film holders, I wash my hands with 91% alcohol then use a paper towel to dry them off. Works like a charm. The alcohol both cleans my hands and cools them off so they don't sweat, at least not for quite a while.

I used alcohol during Covid for health reasons and found it chapped my hands without the aloe normally in antiseptic fluid for hands. Of course, aloe would leave a mess on film. I have found that plain old washing my hands with dishwashing detergent like Dawn works very well for handling while scanning. It cleans off all the oils on my skin and fingertips. Since I don't have a darkroom, I assume this is not the best method and nitrile gloves without powder would be better.

Which should I use? Powder-free, Nitrile gloves or white, lint-free gloves?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency