I posted this on Hostboard, but I'd thought I'd post it here for greater exposure...
I recently purchased a bottle of Ecco 1500 Anti-Static Film Cleaner and Conditioner. Before using it on S8 films that I've shot recently, I decided to put it to the ultimate test--an ancient scratchy home movie shot wa-ay back in 1975.
Here are the results of the test. The film is so scratchy that the cleaner wasn't able to do much for it, but I think you can notice a difference, dirt and speck-wise.
As for the vignetting around the edges, that's on the original film and there's nothing I can do about it.
Anyway, you can view the film here:
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/tfunch24/comparing.avi
Tom
Film Cleaner Test (Ecco 1500)
Moderator: Andreas Wideroe
This is how I did it.
1. Pour some of the solution into a measuring cup (1/4 should do for a 50 foot roll; I did not take an exact measurement so YMMV).
2. Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution. Dampen the cloth, DO NOT SATURATE IT; excessive solution will take longer to dry.
3. Take the filmstrip and wipe both sides of it, applying slight pressure. As you clean, you will notice red, orange, or blue streaks on the pad. Don't worry, you're not harming the film; this is normal. The solution dries quickly but give it a second to dry before moving on to step 4.
4. Spool the cleaned film onto a clean S8 reel as you go.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the entire reel is clean. Replenish solution and dampen cloth as needed.
It took me about fifteen-to-twenty minutes to do a 50-foot roll.
There are sites on the web that give detailed instructions on how to clean film w/Ecco and other commercial cleaners, but it is not that difficult.
Good luck.
Tom
1. Pour some of the solution into a measuring cup (1/4 should do for a 50 foot roll; I did not take an exact measurement so YMMV).
2. Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution. Dampen the cloth, DO NOT SATURATE IT; excessive solution will take longer to dry.
3. Take the filmstrip and wipe both sides of it, applying slight pressure. As you clean, you will notice red, orange, or blue streaks on the pad. Don't worry, you're not harming the film; this is normal. The solution dries quickly but give it a second to dry before moving on to step 4.
4. Spool the cleaned film onto a clean S8 reel as you go.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the entire reel is clean. Replenish solution and dampen cloth as needed.
It took me about fifteen-to-twenty minutes to do a 50-foot roll.
There are sites on the web that give detailed instructions on how to clean film w/Ecco and other commercial cleaners, but it is not that difficult.
Good luck.
Tom
Re: Film Cleaner Test (Ecco 1500)
Ecco has been out of business for several years now, and I miss their fine products. But a bit of friendly warning for anyone who finds some old Ecco around and wishes to use it. DO NOT USE Ecco 1500 cleaner on magnetic striped film as IT WILL REMOVE THE SOUND STRIPE. For silent film or 16mm optical sound though, it's great. Ecco made another product called VSF-299 cleaner (VSF standing for Video Sound Film) and it is safe for magnetic striped film.