Static Master Brush 1 - Inch

I've used these since the early 1970s. They clean dust an dlint off slides and negatives better than anything I know. The price is a shocker. They used to cost almost the same as other brushes. I'm scanning a lot of old slides and negatives and just couldn't get the dust off like I could with a Staticmaster, so I bit the bullet and bought another.

For digitizing negatives this works great. I've used a couple over the years. Kind of pricey, but unique item, I think.

I used a new Static-Master brush for cleaning slides prior to scanning. I tried several different techniques for cleaning my slides, including using a plain soft brush (no polonium). Honestly, I could not tell a difference in the effectiveness of the various cleaning strategies I used. Definitely not worth the extra cost for StaticMaster.Like any brush, this one cleans off loose dust and lint, but does not remove years-old specks that are stuck to the film. The specks are a far greater problem on many of your old slides.Definitely not worth the extra cost for StaticMaster.

I took off two points because of the high price - $100 for a 1" brush seems excessive. Also, it's kind of hard to quantify the effectiveness of the polonium element, which is supposed to create a static charge when brushed across the surface to be cleaned. That charge the dust particles stick to the brush. For me, an old (expired) brush seems to work almost as well.If you have lenses and developed film to clean, a brush is mandatory. Blowing off the dust with a spray can or a rubber syringe doesn't get the particles that have stuck to the glass or the film by static electricity. Some of this "bonded" dust can be disloged mechanically by spraying with a "dust spray" can, or by using a rubber "bulb" device to create a jet of air against the dusty surface. In principle, the StaticMaster brush neutrailizes the static electricity "bonds" and creates a temporary bond to the brush bristles. The brush can be made dust-free again by brushing it against a clean surface, like a thoroughly cleaned desktop surface. This charges that surface and moves the dust from the brush to the surface.

I use this brush to remove dust from negatives and slides that I digitize. It works great and has met all my expectations. A wider brush might save cleaning time.

This is to replace a former identical item which I lost. It works very well to remove dust from camera lenses and slides. The radioactive insert must be replaced occasionally. Previously the company sent me a reminder card at the appropriate time, and I could send for the replacement part. Now they suggest that I go to a camera store to get the replacement insert. I prefer the previous plan.

After careful observation, this product is amazing at removing dust, particularly loose dust, from the surface of a slide. If you are scanning slides yourself, you need this product. I pass the StaticMaster over both sides of each slide I scan. This product does not remove fingerprints, scratches, or spots caused by something other than dust.

This is only the second one I've bought in more than 35 years simply because the first one lasted so long (although remember the element must be replaced annually).