Cutting negatives

SolaresLarrave

SolaresLarrave

My M5s need red dots!
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What do you guys use to cut negatives in strips for filing? I have used scissors (short, I admit) and end up mangling one frame or dangerously clipping its edges. Is there a gizmo (scissors, cutter) to do this better?

In the meanwhile, I'm enjoying home developing thanks to the advice of William from Madison WI, and Andy from Austin TX (whose RFF's handles I can't recall).

Thanks in advance!
 
I just use scissors - long ones - so I can do it in one snip - and always over a lightbox so I can see the frame edges (most of the time). Sometimes end up having to count sprockets for night shots.
 
I use an old slide cutter - works like a dream! Some models even have built in lights. Look for one of these:
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nice...i like the sound of using the slide cutter. There are times I have cuti into my neg a little using the scissor method.
 
Thanks a lot, guys! I kinda like the light box way because... I really would like one, however small, to view slides. But I'll check the choices I have. My firepower ($) is seriously limited now by a recent birthday splurge but then, this is vital gear! 🙂
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Thanks a lot, guys! I kinda like the light box way because... I really would like one, however small, to view slides. But I'll check the choices I have. My firepower ($) is seriously limited now by a recent birthday splurge but then, this is vital gear! 🙂
Click to expand...

FWIW - when my lightbox needed repairs, for a short term - i used one of the 15" under counter strip light flourescents you buy at the harware store for $20. Not great, - certainly not color calibrated, but works for 120 and 35mm.
 
I use an old fashion paper cutter made by Ingento...I bought this years ago at a garage sale...It cuts up to 8" so it also works great in the darkroom...wood cutting board with a steel knife and finger guard...cuts straight and so far no scratches...started using it with 120/220 film and then 35mm...
 
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Keeping things relatively simple:

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Lightbox: Visuals Plus, 5-1/2 x 4-1/4 viewing area, 5000k, powered by 9v battery or AC adapter. Picked up at Calumet several years ago on sale.

Scissors: standard-issue Fiskars that I've had for about 25 years, surviving a lot of pro lab work as well as my own personal use.


- Barrett
 

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I use a pair of Fiskars scissors (bought at a store that sells sewing machines and threads for these). Short enough blades that you dont rearrange the table everytime you put them down. I use a halogen lamp, shining on the back of an old discarded 11x14 as illumination. I find that light tables are a bit too bright sometimes and if you are doing 5-10 rolls, your eyes get tired. The cutter's are fine, but most of them are sprocket dependant and some cameras do not align perfectly with the 8 sprockets and then you run the risk of cutting too close. There is also the case of using wide-angles and having the image slightly longer than 36 mm (typical of the Super Angulon 21/3,4's) and you have very thin divisions between the negatives.
My favourite is the old Nikon S which has 24x34 negative gate - great strip in between negatives!
 
Another advantage of using MF film. Cutting negs is just so much easier. Cutting 35mm negs is similar to putting in golf - you shouldn't overthink the process or try to be too careful. It needs to be done with fearlessness.
 
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