Dust on Negs

[Michael I.]

Hi, all!

I recently got an Epson 4990 and love it - but can't get rid of the dust(on the scanner and negs) it seems to attract it.

I used canned air,antistatic cloth and a gentle dedicated rouge brush.

Since I scanned only BW negs so far ICE was not an option(how good is it anyway - on color?) - I don't like the polaroid utility cause it kills the grain and softens the image.

Rubber-stamping all the dust is a time killer.

Is there any program that erases dust automaticly from BW scanned in RGB (TIF) without softening it too much\killing grain?

thanks
Michael

 

[rich815]

It sounds like you must have a really dry environment with lots of static to cause such problems as you are applying all the proper techniques to limit dust but seemingly to no avail. You might try to keep your scanner in a more closed environment (smaller room with a door?) and run a small room humidifier to raise the moisture in the air, cut down on the dryness and static, and then try cleaning the negs and the glass. See if that helps.

Otherwise the dust removal stamps and cloning tools are your best bet.

 

[Gray Fox]

I have used one of the Staticmaster brushes ever since my darkroom days (not the same brush!) and it helps a lot on scanned negs, too. I have a 3" wide one that I use on 6x6 and 35mm film, and also dust off my negative holders with it. ONce the negs are secured in the scanner frame I also hit the assembly with canned air before I insert it into or onto the scanner. It seems to help quite a bit.
Since most scanners are made largely of plastic I doubt that it would be of any use to try to cut static electricity with a grounding wire like we used to with some enlarger setups.

 

[Michael I.]

it's the dry climate problem. I need 20-30 minutes per pic to eliminate dust. It sucks.

 

[M4streetshooter]

it's the dry climate problem. I need 20-30 minutes per pic to eliminate dust. It sucks.

Sounds like you need an assistant.......

 

[Michael I.]

yep. and a suggardaddy\momma(who'l buy me a leica m2 or at least a bessa and a rolleiflex planar).

 

[PaulDalex]

I have the same problem worsened by my habit to repair blemishes manually. Now I am willing to explore wet scanning, that many present as the final solution. However, strangely enough, I am not able to find anyone interested here at RFF to exchange some good advice an experiences. I am considering buyin a ScanScience kit and get my ....negatives wet

 

[kaiyen]

Pistach,
I'm not sure if there is a lot of wetscanning stuff going on here at RFF. I've done it a few times, but it's so much effort I decided it was not compelling at this time to go that route.

What exactly do you mean that your dust problem is worse because you repair "blemishes" manually?

allan

 

[PaulDalex]

Hi Kaiyen,
Sorry in case the term blemish is not the the most appropriate. What I mean is that I never use any software like ICE to repair dust, scratches and other defects. I use various tools in CS2 to manually repair each defect. This is because I don't accept not even the minimal deterioration of the image quality. BTW I have a Minolta 5400 for 35 and Epson 4870 for MF. I looked into ScanScience wet holder and various other sites and reviews and it looks like wet scanning makes scratches more invisible, gives an edge in sharpness and allows (in the case of ScanScience) to adjust focus on flatbed scanners. Your experience is most interesting to me. But what brand did you use? Do you refer to drum scanners or flatbed?

 

[rich815]

This is because I don't accept not even the minimal deterioration of the image quality.

You're really being over the top here. With proper technique you will see no discernible deterioration of quality in your end print. Some top pros, and I mean ones making 6-digit incomes, use ICE successfully and with no apparent problems or quality issues.

 

[Ronald M]

My scanners are in a fairly dust free room. I keep both the 5400 and Epson 4870 covered when not in use and the Epson is cleaned before each use.

Carriers are also dusted and kept in a dust free storage drawer.

Add a room size electronic air filter if you need to.

Dust is removed from negs before scanning and the neg is inspected with a loupe to insure all possible is removed.

I never use ICE.

Things that can not be removed dried on wet film. Appropiate steps are

Air and water filters in the dark room

Clean glass bottles

Do not reuse fixer more than 24 hours old

Clean all the dust from the room including floor, ceiling, shelving etc.

This works for color film also.

All the problems will go away.

 

[Sparrow]

You have my sympathy dust is an evil; it hides in your rugs and carpets, in your clothes, hair even eyebrows, it’s transported by your pets and on your food, it hangs in the air just waiting for the time the scanner door’s open and those little stepper motors charge the film carriers with static only then it pounces, it is a constant battle I hate dust
We have builders in at the moment so I’m particularly sensitive to it at the moment.
🙁 🙁 🙁