Kinetronics StaticVac

Introduction

You can’t have film without dust. No matter whether you are printing in the darkroom or scanning, keeping the material clean is always a concern.

The hard approach with brushes or cleaning clothes pose the risk of scratching the film. The soft approach with air blowers is advisable, but if the film surface is statically charged the blown-off particles will reattach themselves immediately, requiring the “hard approach” again. So there is a chance that you get caught in an endless cleaning cycle.

Thankfully, Kinetronics came up with a professional grade dust removal device, the Kinetronics StaticVac Anti-Static Film Cleaner.

Kinetronics StaticVac Anti-Static Film Cleaner

Review

In Use

The device combines two antistatic whisk brushes, an ionizing system and a vacuum cleaner. Thanks to this clever construction, the StaticVac became the de-facto gold standard of antistatic film cleaning for professional photo labs around the world.

The StaticVac film cleaner is suitable for 120 format (and smaller).

Kinetronics StaticVac Anti-Static Film Cleaner with 35mm film

Once the cleaner is connected to the household power supply, the user only has to gently pull the film from one side to the other. The film is cleaned properly and gently, while the ionization prevents dust particles from being “sucked” back onto the film’s surface.

This works really well, and I would recommend the Kinetronics Static Vac Anti-Static Film Cleaner if:

- you are running a professional lab

- you are a professional photographer offering prints from film

- you scan a lot and struggle with dust on the negatives

The StaticVac is especially useful if combined with a scanner that offers an automatic film feed (e.g. Reflecta RPS 10M or the vintage Pakon F-135).

Kinetronics StaticVac Anti-Static Film Cleaner - Ionizer

Build Quality And Maintenance

The Kinetronics StaticVac is manufactured in the USA and is built to the highest standards. Kinetronics offers replacement parts for maintenance, in the unlikely case a repair is required.

It is advisable to change the dust filter (a simple foam square) of the vacuum cleaner every now and then.

All in all, this is a one time purchase as the StaticVac will most likely outlive you.

Kinetronics StaticVac Anti-Static Film Cleaner - replaceable foam filter

Conclusion

The best dust removal device on the market has a hefty price tag of around 600 USD. Normally, you do not find these used – because everyone who owns one is using it as it is such a great tool.

If you are willing to spend the money, you’ll get a device that will considerably improve your analog workflow.

Kinetronics StaticVac Anti-Static Film Cleaner with accessories