http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers An entire Lightstalkers thread via RSS/XML. en-us Unfortunately, by bedroom doubles as my office/digital darkroom so any dust that's on my clothing or that is already in the room, is continually disturbed and ends up on my computer and scanner. I'm fortunate enough not to have carpet, but with bedding and clothing in the same room, its hard to keep a room dust free . I keep a plastic box over my scanner when i'm not using it and during a scan, which offers some relief. Has anyone used an air purifier to help clean the air within the room they scan their film in? I know they wont prevent all the dust from remaining in the room, but do they help? Cheers! Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:25:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers The problem James is that in your case the air purifier will not work because you arrange your bed, etc in the same place. I suppose as your are in Australia that the dust is worst because the dry climate. One solution is have some device to add humidity to the environment. When i did copies in the old style several year ago i used to clean the space before a sesion and then take a shower because the steam help me to avoid the dust flying in the negatives i was copying. I remember a little device that trap the dust in the enlarger zone but i saw the publicity in a 90's magazine, don't remember the name but all that things probably are not in the market anymore as the cascade archival print washers. So the only i can advice is try to add some humidity to the environment. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:23:33 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150015 I forget to mention that i like your work and the spirit of oculi agency, i follow by the web the month selection for several years. Saludos Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:27:23 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150016 Thanks for your kind words Hernan - much appreciated. Yeah i guess the main problem is having the scanner in the bedroom, but there isn't another option at the moment. When i used to developed all my B/W film i used to have a hot shower, for the same reason you stated, whilst my film was washing in the sink. End results was i never got dust or any other shit on my negs when i hung them up to dry in the bathroom. V. effective! James Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:38:57 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150021 you pricked my curiosity so i searched the old magazine Camera and Darkroom. The device was the' Wein VI-2000, a darkroom air purifier that electronically "washes" air via pulsed ionization to reduce such darkroom annoyances as dust, smoke and odors... airborne particles combine with the ions and are then drawn to either the floor or the VI2000's foam collection pad'. So if i could afford this device will be ok for my wife too cause i smoke pipe and sometime cigars. Don't have any idea if that works, apparently they are still in the market pointing to health issues or laboratories. Tell us if you find a way to get the dirt out. In the cheap side, i use a cloth i suppose is impregnated with silicone that puts in the label antiestatic cloth. Is an old cloth to clean vinyl discs, yes, i have to buy another cause is very used. I gently pass the negative between the cloth, both sides before to put in the negative carrier. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:35:39 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150052 http://www.amazon.com/Wein-VI-2500-Density-Negative-Ionizer/dp/B001GXLH2K Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:43:06 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150053 I use a cheap $40 Target air purifier for this purpose in my work room. When I have it running there is a lot less dust collecting in the room so it does work well. Before a big scanning job, I first vacuum the room to remove the bulk of the dust, close the door to seal off the room, then let the purifier run for a day or so since the vacuuming kicks up a lot of dust, then scan. As Hernan pointed out though, if it's in the same room as your bed, it's possible it will just kick up more dust. I think if you vacuum the place clean first though, keep the purifier running all the time and point the air flow away from your bed, it will work well. Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:10:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150057 Yeah i used to use an ilford cloth. Worked well. Gettting dust on my film whilst scanning isn't really a problem for me, i'm more worried about the long term build up around computer and scanner air vents. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:35:39 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150100 hi james, just interested to know what the humidity levels in sidney are like around the year. here in kwazulu-natal we have a hot and humid summer and a bit of winter rain that tends to damp down things and prevent much of the air born dust that seems to trouble you. j. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:25:55 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/scanning-and-air-purifiers#150133