What are these squiggles?

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>I can't figure them out for the life of me.</p>

<p>Equipment is:<br /> Mamiya 6 w/ 50mm f/4 (which has one tiny little nick on the front glass but no mould or haze)<br /> Ektar 100</p>

<p>I've cleaned my scanner glass, wiped down the negatives, inspected the lens under light - what else could be causing these squiggles? stray hair / thread?</p>

<p><img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh119/pixelatedscraps/IMG_0006.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh119/pixelatedscraps/IMG_0004.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

[leicaglow]

<p>Johnathan, can you see them on the film? If so, and they're not scratches, they are likely either static electricity or XRay effects. What kind of camera did you use? Did you wind it a little too rapidly in dry conditions, or send it through an airport?</p>

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>Its a Mamiya 6 w/ clean 50mm f/4 lens - though it has one tiny nick on the outer element - but that shouldn't affect image quality, I don't think?</p>

<p>Other than that, the glass is clear, free from fungus, haze or blemishes. I've just checked the negatives again (Ektar) and the film is clear of the lines..it seems as if it has come from the scanner?</p>

[stanleys]

<p>The squiggles are in focus, so likely on the film. It looks like the film was dropped when it was wet (lint and dust).</p>

[shambrick007]

<p>dust</p>

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>Yep. Its dust - I feel like a fool, but a word of warning to those who have gotten complacent with scanning negatives / slides - use gloves, and wipe down the scanner glass & negatives before putting them in for a scan - EVERY TIME SINGLE TIME you do it.</p>

<p>Even still, after all the cleaning and careful preparation - there are still dust spots visible..how do you guys ensure you get a clean scan? Bearing in mind I'm using a cheapo flatbed 8800f here.</p>

<p><img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh119/pixelatedscraps/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh119/pixelatedscraps/IMG_0001.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[kparratt]

<p>I recognised this instantly as dust and fibre on the film at the time of scanning. The problem is the same as that when making exposures through negatives in an enlarger, and indeed projecting slides.<br />My darkroom rules:<br />Keep the room as dustfree as possible, with regular wipe downs, with a damp cloth, of all surfaces.<br />Never wear woolen pullovers/sweaters at work in darkroom/scanning area. Same goes for any other loose fibre clothing. The slightest movement in such clothing creates a cloud of the sort of stuff that has appeared on your scans.<br />...<br />Scratches on the lens, if there are enough of them, will simply create flare or soft focus effect. The marks you describe on your lens will have little or no effect at all. <br />Cheers, Kevin</p>

[dweezil]

<blockquote>

<p>..how do you guys ensure you get a clean scan?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Not! But I have become very proficient with the healing brush in PhotoShop or similar packages.</p>

 

[ondebanks]

<blockquote>

<p>..how do you guys ensure you get a clean scan?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Clean technique does most of the work, then digital ICE does the rest (Epson 4990 flatbed). Only works with dye-based films, of course - C41 and E6.<br>

I see that the 8800f doesn't have digital ICE - pity. Does the FARE 3.0 thingy that it comes with help?</p>

[scott_murphy_photography]

<p>Looks like dust and maybe some fine fibers on the film. Did you process this film yourself? If so, make sure you use filtered (0.5µ filters are best) and use Photo-Flo when you dry the film.</p>

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>I processed it at a trusted lab - and yes, it was due to my carelessness when scanning. Again, I repeat, for all newbies to scanning negatives or slides - clean once, clean twice and WIPE DOWN AGAIN for a third time. Cleanliness is next to wisdom, as it were.</p>

<p>Ray> I shelled out for Vuescan..I think it may have a dust removal function but I'm not 100% certain.</p>

[ondebanks]

<blockquote>

<p>Ray> I shelled out for Vuescan..I think it may have a dust removal function but I'm not 100% certain.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>So did I...and it does. It supports the same ICE (it calls it "Infrared clean" on the "Filter" tab) as the original Epson software. Has lots of extra goodies too, like up to 16x hardware sampling for better signal to noise - Epson's software <em>for their own scanner hardware </em> doesn't even have this! But other than ICE, I don't see any other dust removal options in Vuescan.</p>

[sfcole]

<p>Does anyone still use a Staticmaster? Do they still make them? I have one and it does seem to help with dust. If you haven't seen one, it's a brush with a cartridge of charged radioactive particles that help attract dust.</p>

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>I think I want one.</p>

[sfcole]

<p>Jonathan,<br>

They are apparently still available, but check opinions on this site. I think mine works, but I also use compressed air. <br>

I don't seem to have problems on commercially done film--only at home if I haven't rinsed carefully, even after photo-flo (I seem to get suspended particles if I don't rinse after photo-flo).<br>

Scott</p>

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>Compressed air would be a good idea, I always have a canister lying around for cleaning out the innards of my PC.</p>

[g_k7]

<p>Dust-Off in a can, Ilford Anti-Staticum (orange) cloth, and Digital ICE on your scanner mechanism.<br>

Failing that, tons of clone + healing brush in PS. <br /> <br /> Dust sucks, for scanning.<br>

Enjoy the M6. You know, the 50mm G-Series lens is...as close to perfect as it gets.<br>

<br /> I wish it had more diaphragm blades, though. Minor quibble.</p>

[jonathan_maloney]

<p>I wish they had a macro lens for it...and an f/2.8 lens for that matter too. But yes, one of my favourite cameras for sure. Almost perfect apart from not being able to focus closer than 1m without that ridiculous close-up contraption, and a minor quibble - it would be nice to have swappable backs too ;)</p>