Compressed air alternative for dust control in BW scans

Originally Posted by oftheherd
It would need to be filtered would it not?
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dave lackey said:
I would not think so...I have used the rocket blower all the time for years without a filter on it.:)
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Joke aside, an air compressor must be filtered for two reasons:
  • Oil mist from the compressor cylinder;
  • Possible water mist forming when the air expands to atmospheric pressure; depends on ambient humidity
And the noise !
 
BernardL said:
Joke aside, an air compressor must be filtered for two reasons:
  • Oil mist from the compressor cylinder;
  • Possible water mist forming when the air expands to atmospheric pressure; depends on ambient humidity
And the noise !
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It was not a joke..apologies if it came across that way.. That is why I asked the question about airbrushing compressors. However, knowing nothing about airbrushing, how does an artist deal with those issues? It seems it would be similar to what we need. ICBW... :confused:

Until I know, the rocket blower does just fine.:angel:
 
dave lackey said:
It was not a joke..apologies if it came across that way.. That is why I asked the question about airbrushing compressors. However, knowing nothing about airbrushing, how does an artist deal with those issues? It seems it would be similar to what we need. ICBW... :confused:

Until I know, the rocket blower does just fine.:angel:
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Dave,

An airbrush compressor sometimes uses a diaphram and a check valve that really is like a Rocket blower that can achieve higher pressures. An airbrush compressor that uses a diaphram instead of a piston to pump air oil is not used.

Air brushing requires filtration also for oil and water. Pretty much they utilize external two stage filters.

This is a really-really good idea you brought up. In my case I would also use a small compressor like this to help get rid of paper lint when printing and also to help clean out my printers of accumulated paper lint. Of course it makes sense to not blow out this paper lint in my studio which I try to be a clean-room.

Cal
 
Silly me.

Silly me.

froyd said:
Recently abandoned the luxury of C41 BW for the fun of Tri-X, Hp5, Fp4 and the like. I use a hybrid workflow where I scan and inkjet print my images. I knew that by going to silver emulsions, I would give up the convenience of ICE, so i armed myself with a few bottles of compressed air, but I hate the wastefulness of the process. In the 10 years that I've been away from the silver emulsions has there been any new technology designed to mitigate dust other than anti-static brushes?
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I fear this is a very stupid question but by "ICE" do you mean the software program "Digital Ice" and if so, why would you have to give it up by going to silver emulsions?
 
Marcuza said:
I fear this is a very stupid question but by "ICE" do you mean the software program "Digital Ice" and if so, why would you have to give it up by going to silver emulsions?
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It's not a stupid question. But, dust removal by digital Ice software can't be used on black and white film, unfortunately.

ICE uses an infra red scan to detect solid objects on the film like dust and scratches - as black and white film contains silver halide particles the infra red picks these up and doesn't work properly. E6 and C41 film only has dye left after the processing stage and ICE can seperate out the solids from the dye image by comparing the infrared with the RGB visible scan.
 
Bessler used to market a small compressor for this purpose. It had a replaceable filter between the compressor and the hose. I still have one, but it has a bad seal somewhere and won't keep pressure in the tank. Someday when I'm really bored, I'll probably try to find someone to fix it. It does work very well and has a nozzle with a trigger; it automatically turns the compressor on when the pressure's too low.
 
I did a quick search on "Airbrush Compressors."

The most pro versions use pistons and are "oil-less." There was one for $39.00 that uses a diaphram, but the PSI was only 2-15 PSI.

For about $100.00 you could get a compessor that automatically cycles between 47-57 PSI that also has an air tank to prevent pulsing.

Cal
 
I have a silent airbrush compressor (motor comes from an old fridge). Oil and humidity are filtered at the pressure regulator. Most air press regulators come with a filter.
My experience for a dry and dusty climate as here in Greece is that blowing negatives it is not effective. Dust/particles are blown, travel in the air and sooner or later come back on the negatives. I quit using compressed air.
Humidity and the occasional use of the clone tool works better for me.
 
Say, what about a dry type sensor cleaner? Visible dust? I don't suppose that would hurt film, would it? I could clean my slides that way!
 
Sorry to be getting back to this just now.

Thanks for the copious advice. I have Giotto Rocket Blaster on order.

Good tip on increasing the humidity in my studio or at least misting the air before beginning to scan.

I will try to avoid filing the negs in the plastic sleeves before scanning, but I already know it won't always be possible.

Ko.Fe is right, lots more dust shows up from scans than from the enlarger.
 
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