How to clean a Film SLR

[jgredline]

Hi Folks.
So is there anything to clean on a slr film camera? , heck I just learned they don't have a cmos sensor...LOL

[Xia_Ke]

Not really. Just blow the dust out of the film compartment and mirror housing. The main thing I would check on your cameras are the light seals on the film compartment and door, and also the mirror bumper. If the seals are sticky or gummy at all then you'll want to replace them. I recommend picking up one of Jon Goodman's kits on Ebay. He did have instructions for the K1000 but, here's for the Pentax ME which should be fairly close:

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/seal/Pentax_ME.pdf

Looks like he may be on vaca on Ebay but, they're only $10 and are awesome, so keep an eye here:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZinterslice

[jgredline]

Xia
Thanks, I will check it out. I will also be setting up my own lab in the garage. Can you direct me to a website to read up, ''before'' I begin bugging you for advice?

[Xia_Ke]

Setting up a lab? You really don't need to set anything up if you just want to develop B&W and then scan. A spare bathroom will work fine. The main thing for film is just a spot where it can hang to dry without be bothered.

[jgredline]

Really, That simple? A spare bathroom is not possible. We have three bathrooms, but I live with 7 girls.... LOL

[Xia_Ke]

7 girls?!?! You are a MUCH braver man than I!!! The main thing is a place to hang your film to dry. Here would be my basic shopping list from B&H to start:

Kodak HC-110 developer - $12.89
Ilford Rapid Fixer - $8.95
Kodak Photo Flo 200 - $6.99
Patterson Super System 4 developing tank - $27.95
Changing bag - $???
3 - 1 quart storage bottles - $1.95 each
set of Delta mixing cups - $9.99
Thermometer - $12.95

Keep in mind, EVERYONE has their own preference and method. This would just be my basic picks. You can find good deals on Ebay for developing supplies too. Here's some videos to see basically how it's done:

http://www.jasonbrunner.com/videos.html

To me it always seemed like such a big deal to develop your own film. Trust me, if you can follow a Toll House cookie recipe, you can develop film :thumbsup:

[jgredline]

Thanks Xia.
I am going to go for it....So basically, I will be able to develop my own slides and then scan them?

[Xia_Ke]

That list above is just for traditional B&W film. There are several different processes for developing film including traditional B&W, C-41 which is color negative print film and some B&W films like the BW400CN, and then there's E-6 which is for slide film. Click here and you can see steps involved for each process:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/profe...24.14.18&lc=en

Kodak, along with several other brands, sell complete kits:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rocessing.html

Now the E-6 developing is just a few extra steps compared to B&W but, the main thing is correct temperature is MUCH more critical. You will need a water bath to keep your chemical temps consistent. I haven't done any E-6. If you decide to give it a shot, I would be interested in hearing how it turns out for you.

[Greg McCary]

If it takes good picures I wouldn't worry to much with cleaning one. Don't try and clean the plastic diffuser thing just above the mirror. I tried that once and like Aaron says. Blow it out only, no liquids. A film camera can handle a little dust compared to a DSLR. Good luck with the developing and it is much easier than you would think. The hardest part is getting the film in the tank. After that's it's easy.

[jgredline]

Greg.
Thanks. Last night I went through Both K1OOO's and have them spotless, well pretty good. Mostly, I cleaned the outside, but when I did blow inside one, it was like a mini dust cloud. Now when I look through the view finder it looks perfect on both. While nothing strange popped up in the images I have taken so far, it is nice not to see all the gunk.

Xia, Last night I fell asleep while reading some of those links on films and so forth..Tonight I will spend some more time on it.