[LargeFormat] Removing black spots from prints
Jim Hemenway
largeformat@f32.net
Thu Oct 16 15:48:46 2003
Don:
Spotone is what I was trying to think of.
I like the other good suggestions that you've received. If I was doing
wet B&W then I'd probably be trying them.
Jim - http://www.hemenway.com
Wilkes, Don MSER:EX wrote:
>>I wasn't thinking about your spots being black on the prints.
>> Way back when, mine were white dots from dust on the negatives.
>
>
> Actually, you were thinking correctly when you suggested using a soft pencil
> on the neg -- that should at least reduce the spot to something less
> difficult to bleach (I hope). Mind you, I'm still not keen on taking a
> pencil to my can't-be-replaced negs!
>
> Maybe one way to attack it would be with a mask -- I could pencil the heck
> out of it without hurting the neg. Hmm. Wonder if I have any draughting
> vellum...?
>
>
>
>>Pittsburgh Camera Exchange has a small lot of old darkroom stuff
>>including some spotting colors for B&W for sale for $17.99. Go to
>>http://www.pghcamex.com/ and enter spotting colors into their
>>search engine.
>
>
> Spotone is readily avaiable here [Victoria], if that's what you mean, Jim.
> I don't have much practice with the stuff, but know the theory <g>.
>
>
>
>>holders. A spray on both sides of the holder with the darkslides
>>withdrawn and then once more after I've slid in the film but before
>>closing the dark slides.
>
>
> I tried to be pretty anal about cleaning the holders (wipe out with damp
> cloth, then a spritz from my air compressor.) I didn't do your last step
> though, as I don't have an oil-suppressor filter for the air line, nor a
> feed into the darkroom. Gotta get me some canned air...it sounds like a
> great idea. Thanks for that.
>
>
>
>
>> > Where is the dust coming from... oil heat or a wood stove?
>> Can you control it? How often do you vacuum your darkroom and/or sheet
>
> film
>
>>loading area?
>
>
> Our heat is natural gas, and we haven't used the fireplace in well over a
> year. I suspect the dust may have just floated down from my shirt or
> something. The darkroom isn't used all that often, and the door is always
> closed, so the air *should* be pretty still. Obviously, more serious
> measures need to be taken, though.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
> \donw