Cleaning of ancient transparancies

[Jim]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Advice please !

I have around 500 Kodachrome and Agfa (CT18) transparencies taken in the
1950's and 1960's which I am anxious to scan and archive to CD/DVD.

Storage over the years has been far from ideal and a large percentage have
'dust' well adhered to the emulsion.

24 hrs in close proximity to an ioniser followed by gentle brushing with a
soft photographic lens-cleaner type brush has improved matters considerably,
but many still need more vigorous measures. The scanner has digital ICE but
results still indicate the need for more pre-scan treatment, if possible.

Years ago, in the days when I processed B/W film, negs could simply be
washed in distilled water + wetting agent and left to dry. However my
knowledge of processing since those days is sadly lacking.

Any comments ( to newsgroup please ) with regard to further cleaning will be
appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

 

[Marvin]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Jim wrote:
> Advice please !
>
> I have around 500 Kodachrome and Agfa (CT18) transparencies taken in the
> 1950's and 1960's which I am anxious to scan and archive to CD/DVD.
>
> Storage over the years has been far from ideal and a large percentage have
> 'dust' well adhered to the emulsion.
>
> 24 hrs in close proximity to an ioniser followed by gentle brushing with a
> soft photographic lens-cleaner type brush has improved matters considerably,
> but many still need more vigorous measures. The scanner has digital ICE but
> results still indicate the need for more pre-scan treatment, if possible.
>
> Years ago, in the days when I processed B/W film, negs could simply be
> washed in distilled water + wetting agent and left to dry. However my
> knowledge of processing since those days is sadly lacking.
>
> Any comments ( to newsgroup please ) with regard to further cleaning will be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Jim
>
>
>
>
There is advice on cleaning negatives and slides on Kodak's Web site. I don't have time
now to find it for you, but I have answered questions on slide and negative cleaning
before on this newsgroup. You could search for my responses on Google Groups.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Jim wrote:
> Advice please !
>
> I have around 500 Kodachrome and Agfa (CT18) transparencies taken in
> the 1950's and 1960's which I am anxious to scan and archive to
> CD/DVD.
> Storage over the years has been far from ideal and a large percentage
> have 'dust' well adhered to the emulsion.
>
> 24 hrs in close proximity to an ioniser followed by gentle brushing
> with a soft photographic lens-cleaner type brush has improved matters
> considerably, but many still need more vigorous measures. The
> scanner has digital ICE but results still indicate the need for more
> pre-scan treatment, if possible.
> Years ago, in the days when I processed B/W film, negs could simply be
> washed in distilled water + wetting agent and left to dry. However my
> knowledge of processing since those days is sadly lacking.
>
> Any comments ( to newsgroup please ) with regard to further cleaning
> will be appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Jim

They can still be cleaned the old way, but you should also use fotoflo.
I suggest getting some slide cleaning fluid, assuming you can find it and
use that. Not too expensive, fast drying.

BTW rubbing alcohol can work well, but I would still go for the
professional cleaning solution.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Jim:

Keep in mind that if you cannot get them fully cleaned post-processing
with a good dust removal system can work wonders. In fact, when I
decided to do my large collection of slides I pretty well left it to
Photoshop Elements and a good free Polaroid dust removal program to fix
'em up. Given that in many cases some other adjustments needed to be
made this turned out to be a satisfactory way to go -- and it sure
reaquainted me with many old pics.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <429e1a64$1_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>,
"Jim" <elusive@quicksilver.com> wrote:

> Advice please !
>
> I have around 500 Kodachrome and Agfa (CT18) transparencies taken in the
> 1950's and 1960's which I am anxious to scan and archive to CD/DVD.
>
> Storage over the years has been far from ideal and a large percentage have
> 'dust' well adhered to the emulsion.
>
> 24 hrs in close proximity to an ioniser followed by gentle brushing with a
> soft photographic lens-cleaner type brush has improved matters considerably,
> but many still need more vigorous measures. The scanner has digital ICE but
> results still indicate the need for more pre-scan treatment, if possible.
>
> Years ago, in the days when I processed B/W film, negs could simply be
> washed in distilled water + wetting agent and left to dry. However my
> knowledge of processing since those days is sadly lacking.
>
> Any comments ( to newsgroup please ) with regard to further cleaning will be
> appreciated.
>
Squeegeeing always adds the possibility of adding tramlines. One
solution could be to 'hand wash' the slides. Get a bowl of warm (about
70-75F) water. Gently rub the slide between you thumb and forefinger -
if your fingers are soft, if not get your wife to do it, either out of
the frame or in it - don't worry about the Kodachrome card mounts - they
should survive this washing. Rinse in distilled or mineral water,
rainwater, filtered for dust and dirt can also be used. Remove as much
water as possible by squeezing between paper towels (not tissue paper)
leave to air dry. If you have any equipment for 'laundering' dirty vinyl
records that would work too.

 

[Jim]

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Jim" <elusive@quicksilver.com> wrote in message
news:429e1a64$1_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...


Thanks to everyone for suggetions. Much appreciated, Jim