I recently got a Pacemaker Speed Graphic, and with it came film holders, some with film still in them!
The whole kit has not been used since the 1960s.
Should I clean the film holders?
Best method?
I recently got a Pacemaker Speed Graphic, and with it came film holders, some with film still in them!
The whole kit has not been used since the 1960s.
Should I clean the film holders?
Best method?
I use a small vacuum to clean my holders just before every load. After loading, they go into ziplock bags until use.
Yes, certainly clean them. If they can be disassembled with screws, like the Kodak ones made by Graflex, do that and thoroughly vacuum the light traps. I’m currently fighting a dust battle with a set of similar aged 5x7 holders. If you don’t clean them, and test them, you are going to ruin some good shots.
Some, not all, old film holders and plate holders are pretty clean even after 125 years. Most are crap.
I have some of those very old holders, they were either NOS in box or stored in the closed original camera kit.
I don't expect your location to be extremely dusty, but Western USA can be real bad and some there never get rid of dust...
I have two 5X7 very nice plate holders coming today. They were not cheap but far less than new.
I do blow my holders with either a Rocket blower or a dried filtered low pressure air source.
Don't use canned air for anything. Don't buy it.
Tin Can
Just paid for two VGC 1/4 plate wood holders.
Gixen works. Look it up.
Tin Can
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