Film processing issues

[macandal]

Make sure that you adjust the upper rack carefully to align to the appropriate mark engraved on the posts.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here?

[Bill Burk]

There's tik marks on the rails that the top slides up and down on. Each set of marks corresponds to a common film size. Top mark is 4x5, use these marks to set each of the four adjustments. They help you maintain "parallel planes". If you eyeball it, you are likely to be skewed. If you try to fit the film you are likely to not leave enough tolerance.

[movida]

Re: loading the carousel

Here's what I do and so far, so good (except for the time I forgot to hold the lid and the loaded and developed carousel went flying...anyway...) I move the top up a hair higher than you should, practice with ruined film. Hold the film (emulsion side toward your right) at a 45 degree angle to one of the supports (you can feel along and make sure the film is perpendicular and even with the post along its length). That will make sure the film is lined up to slide into the grooves top and bottom. Before you start to push the film in turn it to the right slightly so that now it's parallel to the carousel still heading into the grooves and slide it in. You'll feel it immediately if it's not into both top and bottom grooves. Hope it helps.

Longtime lurker Jan

[Racer X 69]

Very much of dust is dead skin cells, and some people shed more than others. I had an employee that had to wear a mask, cap and gloves when scanning film. It helped.

In my darkroom I have a powered Honeywell HEPA filter that really works. It filters and cycles the entire room several times an hour.

This is a great way to reduce the dust an keep the darkroom clean. Thanks for sharing Jac.

[Racer X 69]

For the dust, I have a small tank of Nitrogen in my darkroom. I have it set at 90 PSI and use it to blow off the film when I load my holders and to blow off the negs when they're in the holder before I make an enlargement. I don't have dust problems. It's about $20 to fill the tank and lasts for 6 months or so (depending how active I am).

Using a cylinder of dry nitrogen sounds like a great idea. So, what size is your cylinder? Do you get industrial grade or hospital grade gas?

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

For some reason, I get cleaner negs when loading film in a Harrison tent on my tailgate in the field, than in my lab. Maybe the inside of the pup becomes relatively more humid than the drier air outside due to the increased perspiration from my captive, sweaty, anxious hands. Go figure.

That'd be my experience too. I've been told that changing tents increase dust issues, but I've seen exactly the opposite. Mine, also a Harrison, pup tent, definitely reduces the issue. I also think that humidity from my hands, while working in otherwise dry places, could be helping.

[Mark Woods]

I use the smaller cylinder. It lasts for about 6-8 months. I keep it in my darkroom and use it to blow off my negs when I print them. I load my film holders in the darkroom too. You need a regulator. I keep mine set at 90 lbs. and I have a simple blower with an on/off to work with. I do close the master valve when not in use since the quality isn't so good that there isn't a very small leak.

This is an old film tool that I learned years ago loading 1000' mags for optical printers. No photo shop. ;-)