HELP: Water on my Film Sleeves - how to rescue the film

[werner boeckelen]

Hello together,

 

a real catastrophy happened to my stack of sleeves. Water came in and now film

and sleeve start to adhere.

 

Is there any hint or trick, I can rescue all my films? I am really desperate.

[ben_pater]

If they're exposed, put them together in water (in the darkroom) pull them loose and developpe the films.

[john_amiet2]

Werner, I am assuming they are processed and filed films. If so, soak them in warm water with wetting agent, even dishwashing liquid so that the adhesion between the film and sleeve is softened. agitate a bit until the adhesion releases the film. Try not to force them apart as this risks tearing the emulsion (ugh!).

 

You may or may not have to re-wash the films and hang to dry afterwards. A tedious process, but necessary. The sleeves will, of course be dumped, but the film is salvageable. Just don't force the process. Re-heat (warm) the water several times as may be necessary. Careful slitting of the sleeves helps ingress of the water and may speed up the process.

 

This is the analog equivalent of a computer HDD crash except that you don't have to pay an expensive 'techy' to fix it!.

 

Good luck.

 

JA

[doc_w]

No problem. Black and white film can easily be rewashed. Talk to a local darkroom about the correct procedure.

[randall ellis]

All film can be easily re-washed. As the other post stated, carefuly slit the sleeves open with an exacto knife to allow the water in and let them soak for a few minutes. GENTLY ease the sleeves open to allow water in and they will release the negative strips. Once they are free, wash them in a wetting agent for a few moment and hang them to dry in the shower on a line. Clip them along the edges (the rebate some call it) and allow them to hang without touching each other. You may find that running the shower on full hot water for a few moments will humidify the room enough to settle any dust which may be in the air. Do not rush the drying procedure or you will get water spots, which can be a bit more difficult to clean up.

 

- Randy

[conrad_hoffman]

What kind of sleeves are you using? I've lost several important (to me anyway) negatives when the glue seam of glassine sleeves adhered to the film. The key is to give them plenty of soak time before trying to separate them. I hurried and destroyed the film.