[pure-silver] Re: flattening old black an white film

Richard Knoppow wrote:


----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark" <aerialphotos@xxxxxx>
To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 7:25 PM
Subject: [pure-silver] flattening old black an white film


Well I have some older black and white negs I would like to print. One big problem. When the orginal processing was done, they just rolled the negs without cutting them on to a cardboard spool looking container that now leaves the film effectively spooled for life. I would much rather be able to cut these and store them in more current negative holders but they just are not flat enough.

Is there a safe way to deal with getting these flat enough to both print easily and store in something like Vue All or what ever neg storage. Thanks in advance Mark


The problem is they might be brittle due to some degradation in the support. Normally, curling is due to the different rate of shrinkage of the emulsion from the support. Most films have a back coating of gelatin to compensate for this, at least partially, but cellulose base (both nitrate and acetate) can absorb and loose moisture. The age of the film is important, if its from the 1950's it may well have gotten brittle.
I don't know what the current thinking is about the best practice. I think it would be safe enough to expose the rolled up film to high humidity for a time to see if it straightens out. If it does then dry it by hanging with a weight at the bottom.

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Richard I wondered about how durable the emulsion might be after this length of time. One roll is Plus X Pan, but I have no idea based on what is on the film as to how old it is. The person that took it is no longer living and no one else would know. The other roll is Kodak Safety film with no other markings on it. I wonder just how well it was fixed. Has the look a tint to it simular to a T max film of today that was fixed with exhausted fixer. Was thinking about trying to rewet it, but worried about the emulsion coming off or being damaged. Humidy probably would tell me much the same.
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