Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 05:57 PM 6/20/00 -0700, you wrote: >Another thing you may try is something called "pec" for Photographic >Emulsion Cleaner. It comes in a small spray bottle. > >Tom Schofield > The product is Pec-12 and works for cleaning dirt and fingerprints from your film. Drying spots are usually calcium deposits, left when the water evaporated. This is why my (as well as my colleagues) final rinse is always distilled water. Since I've been using distilled water in the darkroom (20 years) drying spots are but a long lost memory. The problem with calcium type deposits is that you need something that will dissolve the residue. Years ago, before I figured out the advantages of distilled water in the darkroom (all developers and the final rinse) I remember removing spots by re-immersing and agitating the film in developer for five or so minutes. Straight D76 as I had it in an accessible tank with floating lid. Most developers contain solvents and seem to be able to clear away drying spots. Since developer has a high pH, you can stick your fingers in and gently massage the film to help clear away the problem. Followed by a rinse, short fix to neutralize the developer residue, and a good wash. Followed by as DISTILLED WATER wash. If you use fotoflo, mix it with distilled water as well. Well... that's about all this feeble old mind remembers today. Jim