I love it when film holders come pre-loaded with film...

[ic-racer]

Image from a for-sale ad on the internet. I did not buy these or take the picture.

 

[baachitraka]

and exposed.

 

[TenSpeed]

 

[Hatchetman]

That's actually a good sign they were actively in use (when?) and not being culled for light leaks.

 

[480sparky]

If the person selling them doesn't have a clue about the light sensitivity of any film in them, are they going to be smart enough to check them for light leaks?

 

[frank]

If the person selling them doesn't have a clue about the light sensitivity of any film in them, are they going to be smart enough to check them for light leaks?

The logic is: Who would bother to load film into holders known to leak light.

 

[gone]

If you're a newbie, this lets you know what side the notch is on w/o wasting a sheet.

 

[Rick A]

How can film holders leak light, when they are dark inside. I say they leak dark, or don't leak.

 

[gorbas]

Priceless!
And there is some paper from Ebay to print those negatives on:

 

[Luis-F-S]

Of course, it's never a film you actually use, or have any idea of what it is, or how to expose or develop it. I've always just thrown it away since I can't ever figure out the notch code for all the "European" films. I do initially open them in the dark, so the "dark" won't leak out of the holder! L

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you're a newbie, this lets you know what side the notch is on w/o wasting a sheet.

That assumes that the last user knew what they were doing.

 

[Alan Gales]

Of course, it's never a film you actually use, or have any idea of what it is, or how to expose or develop it. I've always just thrown it away since I can't ever figure out the notch code for all the "European" films. I do initially open them in the dark, so the "dark" won't leak out of the holder! L

I have bought lots of camera outfits (mostly monorails) to part out and most come with some holders. The funny thing is that the previous owners can never remember what film they loaded into them.

 

[480sparky]

The logic is: Who would bother to load film into holders known to leak light.

More logic:

There's the segment of people who wholly believe that if the film is in the holder, it can be exposed to open light with no ill effect. If they're that naive, are they going to have the wherewithall to actually test a holder for leaks?

Some people are totally clueless about film. I've seen listings on ebay with open rolls of bulk film, open boxes of paper etc. I've seen people put rolls of film in a 35mm, take a frame, then open the back to visually check that the film is advancing. They will repeat this for 24 or 36 frames. I've also met people who will merrily load film onto a reel and drop it into a tank to develop......... all with the lights on.

 

[Hatchetman]

I am assuming the person selling the holders is not the person who loaded them. Obviously the person selling them has no idea.

 

[Barry S]

I play a game called large format roulette. If I buy film holders loaded with film, I go ahead and shoot them, and like a box of chocolates--you never know what you're going to get.

 

[frank]

I am assuming the person selling the holders is not the person who loaded them. Obviously the person selling them has no idea.

That's how I see it.

 

[DREW WILEY]

A filmholder doesn't even need to leak light. It merely has to be warped a bit and the camera back will leak light all by itself. One more reason to be nitpicky about who you buy used holders from.

 

[chazum0]

When I first started shooting LF I bought three used holders off of eBay. Each holder had old color film already loaded, however, over time parts of the film had somehow "melted" and solidified with the holder creating rock hard portions that I had to scrape off with a knife. They also smelled quite horribly.

 

[frobozz]

Sounds (smells?) like vinegar-syndrome to me!

Duncan

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Image from a for-sale ad on the internet. I did not buy these or take the picture.

if yougo, run and close them real quick;You still may be to use it

 

[Subversive Mk II]

Image from a for-sale ad on the internet. I did not buy these or take the picture.

We can all decry these people for being thick as planks, but it's simply they never grew up with any need for light sensitivity and consequently never developed (puntended) an awareness of it.
The totally digital generation is with us.

 

[jpreston]

I just bought three holders from my favorite local shop and they were all loaded with unexposed TXP! The holders they have seem to have come from the same photographer/studio as they are all numbered. I think I might buy several more and hope I keep getting a bonus, lol!!!