When To Use Anti-Static Cloth?

[photogdave]

When is an anti-static cloth most effective? Do you wipe your negs before sleeving them? Before scanning? Both?
Maybe I'm doing something wrong but my cloth doesn't seem to help keep the dust off.

 

[bmattock]

When is an anti-static cloth most effective? Do you wipe your negs before sleeving them? Before scanning? Both?
Maybe I'm doing something wrong but my cloth doesn't seem to help keep the dust off.

I wipe my negs after taking them out of the sleeves to scan and before putting them back in. However, I do not use that Ilford Antistaticum cloth. I tried it and it did not work.

Instead, I use the Kinetronics Anti-static 'Tiger Cloth'. That works great for me. I also use it for cleaning lenses, BTW. They say it is for cleaning the surface of flat-bed scanners (I use it for that too), but I find it very useful for negs and lenses too. Not expensive at all, and I've had mine for years and wash them every week with the laundry - they just last and last.

 

[photogdave]

Thanks Bill. I have been using the Ilford too. Not as good as I remember my old Pentax cloth being.
I'll try and pick up a Tiger Cloth.

 

[Pablito]

The Ilford cloth works very well for me, but you need to keep it in the plastic bag or it dries out.

 

[Robin Harrison]

I have to try something like this. I developed some a test roll from a Mamiya 6 (old school), 120 Delta 400 last night. I didn't get around to sleeving it until this morning. Tonight I whacked a strip of if on the ol' flatbed and performed a 2400dpi scan. It looks terrible - so much dust! I've only used blown air before now to clear my negs/surfaces, but I think an anti-static cloth is now a must.

 

[bmattock]

I have to try something like this. I developed some a test roll from a Mamiya 6 (old school), 120 Delta 400 last night. I didn't get around to sleeving it until this morning. Tonight I whacked a strip of if on the ol' flatbed and performed a 2400dpi scan. It looks terrible - so much dust! I've only used blown air before now to clear my negs/surfaces, but I think an anti-static cloth is now a must.

I've found that if the dust gets onto the neg whilst it is drying, it is very hard to get off again by any method. So I try to keep it in a dust-free (to the extent possible) environment while it dries.

I have learned the hard way not to dry my negs in a room near the heater vent in cold weather. My closet works well for me, others say the shower is a good location.

 

[dfoo]

I have 2 dogs, one with white fluffy fur. That stuff gets everywhere! Perhaps I should shave him, he'll love that!