I have a 22 graflex roll film holder for my rb graflex series b.The problem is the plastic darkslide.when you pull it out it generates static discharges that make quite a show in a dark room,not to mention fogging the film in the holder.Does anyone know what to do about this.

Try waxing it. It helps to pull it out really slowly when working in a low humidity atmoshere, which sounds like what you have. Also, you might try pulling it out just a little, then grab it by the plastic part to finish pulling it. That should ground it, through you, to the metal body and eliminate the sparks.

If you can locate any old 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" Graphic Film Holders you might find one with a metal dark slide. That dark slide should fit the roll film holder in place of the plastic one and would not generate static electricity. The film holders used both metal and plastic dark slides at different times so you might have quite a search.

C. Henry

Thanks for the info.Why would they have ever used plastic darkslides given the problem with static electricity?

I have never had a problem with these slides. Sounds like it's just an unusual situation. Are you sure your body was not charged with static? Walking on carpet, for example. Try grounding yourself while holding the film holder before pulling the slide. Just touching a doorknob or light switch should do it. BTW, a majority of these slides were not plastic, but a hard rubber composite.

There are spray on/wipe off products (i.e. anti-static sprays) that we used in meter labs, designed to eliminate static build up on analog panel meter faces. It went on clear and did not really seem to leave any kind of residue (oily or otherwise).