Topic: Air Ionisers

[charles binns]

I am thinking about buying one of these to try and keep dust off my negatives when they are hanging out to dry.

Does anyone use an air ioniser?  If so are they effective?  Any recommendations?  The negs are hung out to dry in a smallish bathroom, and do get abit dusty. 

[Francois]

I don't know... these things have a fan which might make things worse.

For a long time, I used one of those zippered plastic closets with an old filtered ventilation at the bottom with little problem.
I also saw in an old Shutterbug some plans for something similar that used filters and a light bulb to create a natural convection current.
These are probably a lot cheaper than the ionizer and definitely work well.

Right now, I use a small custom made cabinet that is heated by two 100 watt bulbs. I'm very happy with it.

[charles binns]

The ioniser attracts dusts or that's what the marketing blurb says.  I don't have the room for a cabinet (makeshift or otherwise).

[Francois]

Actually, those zip cabinets fold completely flat... You put them on the curtain rod when you use them.

Also, if you run the shower on the cold water for five minutes before hanging your negs to dry, they will be pretty much dust free.

[charles binns]

How many films does one of these closets hold?   I tend to develop bulk batches of film (15 to 20 at a time).

[LT]

Charles

I use a fan-circulated de-ioniser in my darkroom and find it an essential piece of kit. It helps to cut out a ton of retouching later on, and keeps the air alpine-fresh on long printing sessions. 

Another technique I've seen is to attach a shiny plastic sheet to the wall, then before a dev session, give it a vigorous rub with a dry rag to build up a positive charge, the idea being that the dust sticks to the sheet, and away from your drying negs.  It works very well apparently. 

[charles binns]

Leon

Thank you.  I'll get onto Amazon!