Dust particles

[McAir]

I have had some recent issues with more dust than usual on my 4x5 and 120. It was clearly on the negative. I have surmised that it was on the film before development or occurred during the drying process. I had just moved to hang my negatives in my walk-in safe area where the humidity level is ~45%. I thought this would help, but it might have made it worse. Will try a few other options. I heard it suggested hanging them in the shower. This would be a bit of a pain for me. Any suggestions?

[Tin Can]

I hang any film immediately over my WET sinks

No fans, close door and come back in morning

No dust, no touch up

[John Layton]

Dust on my Negatives!....aaahhhhhrrrggghhh!

I obviously need to calm down before I can address this here...but I will be back!

[Rick A]

I hang any film immediately over my WET sinks

No fans, close door and come back in morning

No dust, no touch up

Same here.

[Old_Dick]

I hang any film immediately over my WET sinks

No fans, close door and come back in morning

No dust, no touch up

+1

[Pieter]

I have had some recent issues with more dust than usual on my 4x5 and 120. It was clearly on the negative. I have surmised that it was on the film before development or occurred during the drying process. I had just moved to hang my negatives in my walk-in safe area where the humidity level is ~45%. I thought this would help, but it might have made it worse. Will try a few other options. I heard it suggested hanging them in the shower. This would be a bit of a pain for me. Any suggestions?

Dust on the negative during drying can be removed with a little effort. Dust on the negative before development leaves a spot that cannot be removed. It should be obvious when the dust occurred. I always carefully clean any negative before printing anyway. Soft anti static brush, Ilford cleaning cloth, air blower, pecpad if necessary.

[Old_Dick]

Something to think about. Dust/dirt is brought in by you. After having spent part of my work day in a cleanroom, I picked up some habits. Start with a clean room and clean clothes. I can vacuum easily, I have an extra hose that I use for exhaust to the outside. I put my clothes in the dryer to get the dust off. Rayon was used for our bunny suits and hair nets were a must as well latex gloves. We had major hepa filters.

[Tin Can]

If you scan you will always find dust

I no longer scan, PITA

I prefer copy stand prints with carefully SQ copy iPad 6 which is as good as it gets

[Alan Townsend]

Hi,

I'm going to start printing my own negatives. I just want to know how to handle dust particles that are on the negative, or if this can be done? This is dust spots from the lens that are showing on the negative. Can I fix these when printing (Burning Dodging etc) ?

Dust on lens has no effect on photos. Dust on film before exposure, not much you can do other than try too bleach/spot negs or prints. Dust on film while wet and hanging to dry requires re-wetting and rinsing under running water or using sponge brush to coax it away. Be sure to wait a few minutes until film is fully wetted first. Dust on negative after drying can be blown away by air or brush. I use a clean bristle brush that I keep in a ziplock back and occastionally wrinse in distilled water for this. I used to have one of those big nuclear powered anti-static brushes, but find it way overkill any more.

Alan Townsend

[Rick A]

I keep a small electrostatic air cleaner running in my darkroom, and damp wipe/mop on a regular basis.