Helps: Method to keep negatives / slides DUST FREE

[-7-]

Guys n Gals,

Working on my negatives + slides back-up in digital format lately. Discovered that most of my negatives + slides scanned are invaded by dust / particle Worst part is, even my new developed negatives are found with similar invasion!

Hence, I would like to get some technical / non-technical advices for below worries + encounters:

1. What are the "cleaning methods" for my negatives which are visually obvious after scanning? So far, I've only tried using blower, but results are not so positive. But it does help a little...

2. What are the correct "negatives / slides keeping" methods? Or in a straightforward form: what are the negatives / slides keeping methods that is free from dust or particle? Apparently, all my negatives + slides are still keep and rest in the "normal + typical" negative plastic pockets provided by the either normal photoshops or pro. photoshops.

Looking forward to learn from all of you out there...

[deslim27]

Yo!

Get a ICE featured scanner lah..

I've been dealing with dust and scratches for a long time liao, ever since I bought my Scan Dual 3. Before scanning I usually do some blowing on the film surface with my lens cleaning air pump loh, not 100% but does help quite a bit.

[-7-]

Originally Posted by deslim27 Yo! Get a ICE featured scanner lah.. I've been dealing with dust and scratches for a long time liao, ever since I bought my Scan Dual 3. Before scanning I usually do some blowing on the film surface with my lens cleaning air pump loh, not 100% but does help quite a bit.

Hi Des,

Thanks for the "ICE" proposal, well, no budget for that at this point in time.

Your method seems not much different from mine. I blow on both surfaces - front + emulsion.

Anyway, would like to know how you store your negatives / slides

Apparently, I keep all my negatives / slides in an air tight container.

Cheers...

[Tagore]

I use a air compressor to blow away the residual dust at about 80psi-120psi. Most of it is caused by the developer/shop. Handling with care is important.
After I use the scanner, I will keep it underwraps. This will prevent dust collecting on the surface of the scanner as well as the film/slide loader.
I am quite resistent to software correction as I am very particular how the program actually edit the photo and would prefer editing it myself using PS.

On a unrelated issue, I have just spoke to a minolta customer officer few days ago, the focusing feature must be on because the film/slide surface is not flat. Have you noticed any difference when you switch it on and off?

cheers

[deslim27]

Originally Posted by -7- Hi Des, Thanks for the "ICE" proposal, well, no budget for that at this point in time. Your method seems not much different from mine. I blow on both surfaces - front + emulsion.

Another proposal, get a DSLR just kidding.

I still think a ICE scanner will worth money if you've no plan for DSLR anytime soon. You can reduce dust and scratches, but can never eliminate totally. Many of my film already got dust and scratches when I reached home from the lab.

Originally Posted by -7- Anyway, would like to know how you store your negatives / slides Apparently, I keep all my negatives / slides in an air tight container. Cheers...

Same! Same!

My family shots are kept in dry carbinet, and other negatives in air tight container, and since slides has it own container, I just put them into paper boxes.. don't have so many proper container lah

But I don't if they are safe or not hor..

Cheers!
Des

[-7-]

Hi all,

Thanks for the advices...

Regarding the On or Off of the focusing function, have not really differentiate the impact. Well, will look into it as this may be the factor or parameter to help me to have a better result of the photos scanned.


Hi Tagore,

Wow an impressive method ---> air compressor!! hmm... where to get one in a portable form? mind to share more on this device?

Des,

Are all your scanned negatives / slides stored in your hard disk or CD?

Cheers...

[deslim27]

Originally Posted by -7- Des, Are all your scanned negatives / slides stored in your hard disk or CD? Cheers...

Yo,

I don't scan all, taking up too much space as I keep them in TIFF format. I backup them in 2 physical HDD. If backup into CD, each CD can only hold approximately 1 roll of film.. not practical leh.

BTW, what scanner you're using?

Cheers!

[Toto38]

Originally Posted by -7- Guys n Gals, Working on my negatives + slides back-up in digital format lately. Discovered that most of my negatives + slides scanned are invaded by dust / particle Worst part is, even my new developed negatives are found with similar invasion! 1. What are the "cleaning methods" for my negatives which are visually obvious after scanning? So far, I've only tried using blower, but results are not so positive. But it does help a little... 2. What are the correct "negatives / slides keeping" methods? Or in a straightforward form: what are the negatives / slides keeping methods that is free from dust or particle? Apparently, all my negatives + slides are still keep and rest in the "normal + typical" negative plastic pockets provided by the either normal photoshops or pro. photoshops. Looking forward to learn from all of you out there...

Maybe i can help you :
1. If you know how to processing film, than clean it with colour STABILIZER and dry it, if you don't than send it to pro. photoshops to clean, but not all of them know and maybe lazy to do for you.

2. The best is to keep in ANTI-FUNGUS negative sleeve. My negatives were already 15 years! But still in fantastic condition! you can buy it at CP, IF YOU want to see, i can show it to you, if you want to learn how to clean, i can teach you free for this!
Hope this methode can help you work well

[West_ray]

Originally Posted by Toto38 Maybe i can help you : 1. If you know how to processing film, than clean it with colour STABILIZER and dry it, if you don't than send it to pro. photoshops to clean, but not all of them know and maybe lazy to do for you. 2. The best is to keep in ANTI-FUNGUS negative sleeve. My negatives were already 15 years! But still in fantastic condition! you can buy it at CP, IF YOU want to see, i can show it to you, if you want to learn how to clean, i can teach you free for this! Hope this methode can help you work well

hi how much u pay for the anti fungus sleeves? how many strips? thanks

[Toto38]

Originally Posted by West_ray hi how much u pay for the anti fungus sleeves? how many strips? thanks

About $15.00 for 25 strips, one strip can hold one roll of film. If i still can remember.

[Tagore]

-7-,
Airbrush + Aircompressor from Artfriend ($1100)
The silent type used for painting scaled down models.

Use it to clean all equipment except tripod before and after shooting. I will bag them to immediately to make sure there is no more dust. I also later do something which is slightly inconvenient to reveal here. hahahah. pm me and i tell you. hahaha

des, will call you to buy one new one together after i win toto or 4D

toto38, when you demo, I want to kaypoh too.

[-7-]

Hello all fellow Minoltians....

As expected, HELPFUL Minoltian we all are

Toto38,

Definitely wanna learn the rpactical stuff from you... btw, are the the Toto38 from Stanley Photos huh?

Regarding the Anti Fungus Sleeve, is it in a booklet form? I am thinking to housekeep my negatives in an easier to access and searching mode, something like album / booklet type. Apparently, I throw everything in my air-tight container.

Nope, I dun process nor print my photos myself... so far, i send in to a lab (ilford negative, guess u know which lab), and all the 8R or S8R turned out clean n nicely done by them. Do you process / print Black n White photos?


Tagore,

I guess I'll have to strike TOTO then will have the chance to buy that set... otherwise, I would save my money for 17mm G-Lens


Des,

Currently using SDIII (same as urs I guess), not mine, it's ileaf's one . Well, mind to PM me the setting of ur scanning profile? I scanned the important photos in TIFF file. And when I do that, that'll be the entire roll in TIFF file... hahaha... yupe, i'm a crazy guy...

[Toto38]

Toto38,

Definitely wanna learn the rpactical stuff from you... btw, are the the Toto38 from Stanley Photos huh?

Regarding the Anti Fungus Sleeve, is it in a booklet form? I am thinking to housekeep my negatives in an easier to access and searching mode, something like album / booklet type. Apparently, I throw everything in my air-tight container.

Nope, I dun process nor print my photos myself... so far, i send in to a lab (ilford negative, guess u know which lab), and all the 8R or S8R turned out clean n nicely done by them. Do you process / print Black n White photos?


I fully support all MINOLTIANS! Cause i have been using it for more than 10 years liao, btw WHO AM I! You are right
It is a hard file and the Anti Fungus Sleeve is sell separately.
Is alright you don't process it yourself, but you must know how to safe keep your negative, if not printing that time you will face all the problems! Come to my place and spend me kopi, i'll teach and show you how $0.80 only cheap right?
I still do processing but lazy to print lah! Now a day, i use my machine to do the magic Call me before you want to spend me KOPI, OK?

[-7-]

Originally Posted by Toto38 I fully support all MINOLTIANS! Cause i have been using it for more than 10 years liao, btw WHO AM I! You are right It is a hard file and the Anti Fungus Sleeve is sell separately. Is alright you don't process it yourself, but you must know how to safe keep your negative, if not printing that time you will face all the problems! Come to my place and spend me kopi, i'll teach and show you how $0.80 only cheap right? I still do processing but lazy to print lah! Now a day, i use my machine to do the magic Call me before you want to spend me KOPI, OK?

Hi there,

PMed u... check it out...