Anyone used one of these anti-static guns?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan
  • Start date Start date
Ivan said:
Has anyone tried using one of these vinyl record anti-static
guns to help reduce dust on their negatives?
Click to expand...

Yes, they help a bit in reducing the amount of dust drawn to the film,
but for me nothing beats compressed air in a clean environment. Since
I bought a (water and oil filtered) compressor, dust is almost a
non-issue. It works even better than canned air. I also use an air
purifyer/ionizer which reduces airborne dust, and you can hold the
film in front of the ionizer to neutralize charge build-up.

If the working conditions (low Relative Humidity, low hPa air
pressure, airborne dust) still cause dust to be attracted to the film,
you can experiment with a modified piezo stove-lichter (the one that
only gives sparks). By removing the metal front, there will be
(almost) no sparks but lots of electrons to neutralize charge
differences. Just don't touch the tip with your fingers, or it'll
shock you.

Bart
 
I have a Zerostat that I bought about 20 years ago and though I scan
dozens of slides and negatives every month, I never bother using it.

I find it more effective to carefully clean the film, when needed,
with a high quality photo emulsion cleaner. I use PEC-12, available in
camera stores, and the "non abrasive wipes" of the same name. I'm sure
there are other such solutions available.

Before the film goes into the scanner, it blast both sides of it with
compressed air, which you can buy at a computer store (it costs less
there than at a camera store). Just be extra careful not to shake the
can and to hold it upright so you don't blast propellant all over your
film.

I also have upgraded my scanner to one that has Digital Ice, for CN
and CS films.

Dan
 
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