Marking negatives

[C. D. Keth]

Our space program (NASA) found out that ink pens did not work in space and weightless environment. They spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to research and develop a ink pen that would work for our astronauts........ The Russians looked at this problem and solved it for less than 25 cents...... They used pencils....

That story is cute and all but it leaves out one very important detail. The American space program used pens rather than pencils because in the lunar landing module, a broken pencil lead was enough to punch a hole in the foil and strand 2 men on the moon.

[Ian David]

Ed, I have heard good things about Sakura Pigma Micron pens. Been meaning to try one myself, but haven't got around to it yet....

Ian

[Kirk Gittings]

FWIW, Sharpies are also not sharp enough for HABS.........just saying. I got dinged for it-had to take the negatives back-clean them and remark them. They specifically asked me to redo them with a black Rapidograph.

[Michael Cienfuegos]

I have used Rapidograph pens for about fifty years. I have a few which I bought about 25 years ago which still work, but as previously mentioned, are a PITA to keep clean. I use a small ultrasonic cleaner to clean the nibs, it works better than anything else I've tried.

[Ian David]

Ed, I have heard good things about Sakura Pigma Micron pens. Been meaning to try one myself, but haven't got around to it yet....

Ian

Actually I was just looking at the Sakura website. Looks like the Sakura Microperm is the one they recommend for non-porous surfaces including film.

That being said, maybe the Rapidograph is the way to go. I have a set of old Rotring rapidographs from the pre-CAD days - never thought of trying them on film. What ink do you use in them for photographic film?

[adam satushek]

I posted this same question in Ari's thread that he linked above.....but does anyone know of a good method for for marking negs that will be drum scanned in Kami mounting fluid? I would really like to number my actual negs and not just the sleeves as I currently do, but would worry about spending money on a Rapidograph and having it float right off when mounted and possibly damaging my negs and/or drum. It sounds like the Koh-I-Noor Trans-Mix Media Brilliant Ink would work, its supposed to be "archival, and waterproof for use on paper, wood, metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, and more." But I still have no idea if it would stand up to Kami Mounting fluid or Kami film cleaner. Anyone out there have any experinece with this?

Thanks,
Adam

[Scott Walker]

I agree with the rapidograph, doubt you will find a better tool for the price.
They are however a bit of a pain if you do not use them every day.
If you are going to put them to rest for a week or longer between uses it does not take long before they start to clog up and become rather difficult if not impossible to clean.
If you are using them every day they are absolutely wonderful, but do require regular cleaning, which is easily done with either the cleaner you can buy for them or even better, an ultrasonic cleaner.
I'm using my pens so little lately I usually do a complete clean with an ultrasonic cleaner after each use and put them away ink free.

[Doremus Scudder]

... I use a fine tip Sharpie ... cost less than a buck ... they work great and dipped on my tongue deluded the ink enough to use for spotting my photos

Aren't you worried that the ink will be angry when it discovers the deception?



Doremus

[Kirk Gittings]

Back in the 80s I signed some 100 silver prints in the margin with a fine tip Sharpie. The signatures have now faded to a lovely semi-transparent sepia brown..............I can mat over the signatures but I'm sure glad I didn't do any spotting with a Sharpie. They may have changed the ink in these since then, but I personally would not take the chance.

[photobymike]

FWIW, Sharpies are also not sharp enough for HABS.........just saying. I got dinged for it-had to take the negatives back-clean them and remark them. They specifically asked me to redo them with a black Rapidograph.

Forgive me but what is HABS?