Several weeks ago, a customer requested enlargements from 35mm negatives. Since we're not equipped for 11x14 printing, we sent them to another location (posessing a digital lab) within our organization (as is company policy) rather than outlabbing to Kodak (Qualux).

The enlargements came back with mediocre quality (expected) and with numerous base scratches (unacceptable). The order was sent back to be done properly (and with digital restoration if necessary). They refused to do it again.

We then tried to send it to another location with better digital capabilities (the location that does restoration work for our region), and the response was, "We don't even want to attempt it!"

So I brought in my bottle of FILMGUARD, and applied it to the affected negative strips (3 in all) to make test prints, and without exception, EACH NEGATIVE PRINTED PERFECTLY WITH NO SIGN OF ANY SCRATCHES. The treated negatives and guide prints were sent to Kodak with handling instructions, and the resulting enlargements looked fantastic! In spite of the delays, the customer was delighted with the prints.

Our company has gone crazy for all things digital to the point where they cannot conceive of any problem being solved any other way. It's driving me crazy that whatever common sense the company has ever had is being eroded to this single-option mindset.

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Much less expensive than Edwal "No Scratch" fluid, which sells for $6.99 (US Dollars) per ounce:
http://www.phototrader.com/minilab/mlspage20.htm#NO%20SCRATCH
http://www.subclub.org/darkroom/scratch.htm

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion