Two basic questions

[Blasted]

Two quick and I hope simple to answer questions that I would appreciate answers for.

1, What's your top tip or method for cleaning negatives prior to scanning?

2, I have some Fuji polaroid film and a few rolls of medium format, should I be keeping it in the fridge?

thanks

 

[TheBigYin]

1. rocket blower to remove the dust - used to use "air in a can" but i'm too tight these days.
2. Ideally, yes - I tend to just have a "tupperware" (other plastic sealable boxes are available) container in the bottom shelf of the fridge) with enough film to cover the next month or so's shooting, and the rest's in sealed containers in the freezer. Periodically, I'll replenish the fridge stock from frozen, allowing the film to thaw in the fridge. As to fuji/polaroid, couldn't say tbh... only time I ever used it was back in the day when I needed to be 100% sure of exposures, and i'd buy it the day before and use it straight away - it was too bloody expensive to keep stock "on hand")

 

[Blasted]

Thanks,

I was thinking is there some sort of static wipe/brush to get stuff of negatives? How long does stuff last if you refrigerate/freeze?

 

[FujiLove]

You can get anti-static cloths, but the best way is to use something like a Kinetronics StaticVac which hoovers up the dust. Not cheap though.

 

[joxby]

1. I use a blusher brush

1a. I used to think it was a bit anal to sleeve negs the moment they are dry but dust is an apocalyptic pain in the arse, anything you can do to stop them getting mucky in the first place is well worth the extra effort, a stitch in time...an all that.

2. cool is the new cool

 

[XA2inmypocket]

Be sure that it is indeed on the film. Sometimes it is on the scanner glass.