Well now, I reckon most folks don’t know what a film squeegee is, or why you need one. So let me tell ya, a squeegee is a little thing, kinda like a pair of tongs with soft rubber bits on it. You use it after you’ve developed your film, to get the water off it before you hang it up to dry. Now, I’ve seen some folks try to use their hands or towels, but let me tell ya, that ain’t a good idea. You can end up with scratches or all sorts of stuff stuck to your film. So, that squeegee helps keep it clean and smooth.
One thing I’ll tell ya right off the bat, don’t go rushin’ things. You got to let the film dry nice and slow. Don’t be thinkin’ you can speed it up with a blow dryer or stick it in front of a heater. That could mess it up! You’ve gotta hang it somewhere clean, like in a dust-free spot, and just let it do its thing. No need to rush it!
Now, there’s this stuff called Kodak Photoflo or Adox Adoflo. They got some fancy names, but basically, it’s a wetting agent. You just put a little bit in your water after you wash your film. It helps the water dry off without leavin’ marks, and it keeps dust from stickin’ to the film too. I tell ya, it’s cheap and lasts a long time. No need for fancy stuff when this works just fine.
Now, let me tell ya a little more about them squeegees. You can get ’em with soft rubber blades or foam pads. They’re made so the film slides right between the blades, and it takes the water right off. It’s real gentle, so it won’t scratch up your film or anything. Just pull that film through the squeegee, and you’re good to go. Simple, but works like a charm!
Some folks get all caught up in fancy equipment, but I tell ya, the squeegee does the trick. No need to fuss with nothing too complicated. It’s easy to use, and it gets the job done. I’ve been usin’ ‘em for years, and they’ve never let me down.
There’s even some folks out there that say you don’t need the squeegee at all, and you can just let the film dry by itself. But trust me, you’re gonna get water spots and maybe a bit of dust or dirt on it if you don’t use one. I’ve tried both ways, and I’ll stick with the squeegee, thank you very much. It just makes everything easier, and my film comes out nice and clean.
But what really matters is how gentle you are with the film. You don’t want to press too hard or make the squeegee go too fast. Just take your time and be careful. It ain’t a race! Some folks get too excited and rush things, but you’re better off takin’ it slow. That way, your film won’t get damaged, and it’ll look just right when it’s all dry and ready to be looked at.
If you’re wonderin’ what kind of squeegee to get, I’ve heard good things about Paterson squeegees. They got soft rubber blades, real gentle-like, and they do a great job of pullin’ the water off. They’re made to last, so you won’t be runnin’ out to buy a new one every year. Plus, they’re real easy to use, which is a big bonus for someone like me, who’s not too handy with fancy gadgets.
Now, you don’t need to go out and spend a fortune on fancy stuff. A good squeegee is all you need to get your film lookin’ good. Some folks might get carried away with all the extra things, but I say keep it simple. A squeegee and some wetting agent, and you’re set. That’s all there is to it.
So, if you’re just gettin’ into film photography or you’ve been at it a while, I’d say don’t skip the squeegee. It’s one of those things that might seem small, but it makes a big difference in the end. Your film will dry better, be cleaner, and look nice without any pesky water marks or dirt. And that’s the whole point, ain’t it?
In the end, it’s all about makin’ sure your film dries nice and clean. So, don’t go rushin’, don’t skip the squeegee, and be gentle with your film. That’s how you get the best results. Trust me, I’ve been doin’ this long enough to know what works!
Tags：[film squeegee, Paterson squeegee, wetting agent, film photography, Kodak Photoflo, Adox Adoflo, film drying, photography tips]
