Another useful tool for copy stand, scanning, film and neg work

[Daniel D. Teoli Jr.]

I used to and still use a Rocket blower. But for some jobs it is almost a lost cause.

https://www.amazon.com/Giottos-AA1903-Rocket-Blaster-Large-Red/dp/B0013J0502/ref=sr_1_9

 I picked up a mini compressor and love it.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC100Q-Oil-Free-Electric-Compressor/dp/B084GY6DXV/ref=sr_1_1

The Rocket blower has it purpose, but for serious work, the compressor is the way to go. This is especially true if you do lots of sheet fed scans. A speck of dust on a flat bed scanner...is a spec of dust. On a sheet fed scanner, a speck of dust is a white or black line drawn across the entire scan image.

I'm not exactly new to compressors. I had one in my wet darkroom for many years. Much, much better than canned air for cleaning negs and chromes. But that was decades ago. In those days the compressor was a monster you had to wheel around. I also had a vacuum running for the vacuum frame. So I had lots of noise in the darkroom competing with listening to Dr. Demento on the radio. The new compressors are small and quiet. Dare I say whisper quiet.

If you do get a compressor, you don't have to crank up the regulator to max. 30psi is pretty good.

Edited March 14, 2021 by Daniel D. Teoli Jr.