How can I prevent (or minimize) film curling. I work mostly with Tri-X, developing with Mircodol-X and fixing with regular Kodak Fixer (not Rapid Fix).

I am using a Kinderman tank with a stainless reel.

Processing times are approximately:

Developer - 10 minutes Stop bath - 30 seconds Fixer - 5 minutes Wash (on the reel) 5 minutes followed by a final rinse with a small amount of Photo-flo.

After processing I weight the bottom end of the film with a clothes pin when I hang the film to dry.

Any suggestions.

Thanks, Peter Schauss

-- Peter Schauss (schauss@worldnet.att.net), October 27, 2001

Answers

With regard to hanging method, we use this in our classroom labs all the time. Very little curl. Cut and place in negative pages which should help what curl is left. Negatives will always have some natural curl.

-- Ann C lancy (clancya@mediaone.net), October 27, 2001.

Peter, I use opened 35mm film canisters on my 120 film. The felt edge keeps it on the film and doesn't scratch,Bob

-- Bob Smith (rangerbob1993@yahoo.com), October 27, 2001.

Clothespins are not heavy enough. Commercially available film clips have heavy weights (for the bottom clips) that will help the film to straighten out when it dries.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), October 27, 2001.