Compressed / canned air /gas - what do you use?

[Matus Kalisky]

Hello,

since I got a scanner (Microtek F1) - even though it has ICE (which I still have to test thoroughly) - I just blow the dust from the films after loading them into holders.

Longer time ago I was able to buy a 600ml bottles (Gepe) which are not anymore to be found in Germany. It had a nice scre-on steel nozzle which could be reused on other bottles. Also the bottle looked like it could be re-filled.

However - the only thing one is able to find to day are 400mm bottler with a small plastic top where you stick a short plastic tube. Works too but the bottles last shorter, are more sensitive to split out some liquid gas (the shape of the bottles is more compact - smaller angles matter).

So my question is - what do you use for dusting-off your films. In particular responses from EU would be interesting.

[BetterSense]

I stopped using canned air altogether. I find a soft brush works much better and doesn't stir up so much.

[bvstaples]

Use use a Giotto Rocket and a camel hair brush...

[rdenney]

I invested in a foot-powered bellows blower. It moves air with as much intensity as Dust-Off but without the occasional problem of the propellant deciding to condense on the surface.

Bellows foot blower at Micro-Tools. (https://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=304T)

It is a little cumbersome, but it works much better than a fist blower, and, for me at least, I could never keep brushes clean enough not to make things worse.

Rick "noting that Micro-Tools does sell in Europe" Denney

[lilmsmaggie]

I stopped using canned air altogether. I find a soft brush works much better and doesn't stir up so much.

Interesting. I'll be attending a workshop next month and one of the instructors recommended bringing a soft bristle brush. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to asking him what TYPE of soft bristle brush, e.g. paint brush, art brush, etc. then today I ran across this post.

Any suggestions? Would art brushes sold in art supply stores work better than the type of brushes you would find in a paint store, or does it matter?

[Matus Kalisky]

Very interesting options. In particular I like the bellows-foot-blower. What is not clear to me whether there is some sort of filter that would avoid picking up the dust from the floor (which is the most dirty one)

One question for the (anti static) brush users. How do you keep your brushes free of dust? It must go somewhere I guess ...

[BetterSense]

I lied. I actually use canned air to blow out my brush sometimes.

The best brushes are the staticmaster brushes. I have one, but the cartridge is shot. New ones are expensive. I have a round-profile brush I bought at an art store that I gather is used for asian orthography. It has nice, soft bristles. I don't find dust accumulating in the bristles to be a problem. There are some high-end painting brushes available at paint stores that seem to have very nice bristles and I wouldn't hesitate to use them on negatives.

[Fred L]

I picked up a Gast air compressor from a lab that closed up last year. Night and day compared to the Campbell Hausfield I'd been using in the darkroom. The Gast is so much quieter than the CH so I don't dread running down the tank anymore. Kinda like a gentle putt putt sound. Have compressed air as well for the office where the scanner is.

[rdenney]

The inlet to the foot-pump is not filtered, but any dust that comes out that nozzle (and I've never noticed any) seems to be blown away along with the rest of the dust.

If you use a brush for painting, what you want is a sable or camel-hair brush, sable being preferred (but not that cheap). Note that all brushes will become statically charged and attract dust. Non-static brushes have metal fibers in with the bristles, but that would frighten me. I have used Static-master brushes in the past, but mine is long dead and no better now than any other camel-hair brush. I get better results with the foot-blower.

Rick "pretty good with the rubber stamp tool, too" Denney

[Greg Blank]

Yes they were and are radioactive and the previous owners were unaware :(



I use these Static Master brushes. I usually find them at estate sales and yard sales where darkroom equipment is being sold.

http://www.adorama.com/CPSMB1.html

I don't use compressed air on film or lenses. I made that mistake more than once.

[gnuyork]

I just used canned air in short bursts so as not to get the gunk that comes out.

[rguinter]

Use use a Giotto Rocket and a camel hair brush...



Ditto here. As I've stated here before in several posts, beware of "canned air." It is not air. It is a liquified halocarbon chemical that comes out of the can very cold. This due to the adiabatic expansion of the liquid as it changes state to a gas. This in turn can cause instant condesation of natural humidity in the air onto your negatives/transparencies.

As bvstaples suggests, get yourself a soft camel hair brush and a Giotto Rocket (or equivalent) and stay away from canned air. My opnion/suggstion. Bob G.

[Bob Salomon]

I just used canned air in short bursts so as not to get the gunk that comes out.

Short bursts don't prevent gunk from coming out. Can position is the primary cause of stuff coming out.

[Daniel_Buck]

Use use a Giotto Rocket and a camel hair brush...


yep, me to. rocket and a brush. And I'll clean the glass every now and then with glass cleaner. Suprizing how dirty it gets!

[gnuyork]

Short bursts don't prevent gunk from coming out. Can position is the primary cause of stuff coming out.

That too. But for some reason I still don't trust holding the trigger down.

[Bob Salomon]

That too. But for some reason I still don't trust holding the trigger down.

But there are other problems with canned air. It is a pressurized gas and you are not supposed to travel by air with pressurized cans. If you inhale the contents it can be dangerous, the spray dies out erratically at the end of the can, it may be flammable - depending what the contenets are, it isn't green and it costs a fortune - over time - compared to a Rocket. Plus it can spit and that may not come off a lens or a filter.

And so there is no misunderstanding. We are the importer and distributor of the Rockets in the USA.

[gnuyork]

I still prefer the canned air to the rockets, but that's me. Don't beat me up too bad. I do now have two very nice Rodenstock lenses and a Berlebach tripod.:)

[largeformat apt]

I'm looking to move away from a compressor. I'm looking for a small vacuum. I want remove the dust. Not move it around. Loading film and for printing.
Pat