[LargeFormat] Removing black spots from prints

[Jim Hemenway]

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withdrawn and then once more after I've slid in the film but before 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