After exposure, then what?

[Steve Mack]

I think I've got a handle on what to do with exposed b/w 4X5 sheets until I'm ready to develop them: put 'em back in the box until I have a full box, and then go ahead and process the lot. (Saves on time and chemicals for me.)

However (comma, he said), I'm not sure what to do with transparencies. Do I put them back into the box until all the sheets are exposed, and then send off the whole box to be processed?:confused: I'm not going to try to process E-6 stuff in the cellar. So, how do the rest of you manage transparencies? The photo books are silent on the subject.

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

With best regards.

Stephen S. Mack

 

[removed account4]

hi stephen

you might not want to process all your film at the same time.
develop your film as you go along, that way if you run into trouble
with your processing technique, ALL your film won't be in trouble ...
i am not sure how you are processing your film, but a lot of people
process a couple of sheets at a time, and if you have a ton of film to process
that way, you will be there a long long time ...

with E6 or C41 film just put them in a box and bring them to a lab to process.

have fun!
john

 

[PHOTOTONE]

You can put any type of exposed sheet film back into the factory boxes, but you should also use the inner foil or plastic bag to provide an additional layer of light protection. While Kodak film boxes are light-tight, I can't speak for other brands. If you intend to process largish "runs" of sheet film, color or b/w, you might consider the 3.5 gallon plastic or hard rubber developing tanks, and film hangers. These can be found on the used market for quite reasonable prices, and you can process a large volume of sheets at one time.

 

[David William White]

I just put whatever sheets of Ektachrome I've shot back into the three-part box and drop it off at my local lab. They give me back sleeved sheets and my original box later that day. No biggie.

 

[JBrunner]

First of all, I'd be a little reluctant to put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. Second of all, film in the latent image stage is at its most vulnerable. Best practice is to develop sooner, rather than later, when possible.

 

[razzledog]

I like to get film processed ASAP after exposure. Things can deteriorate fast once it has been exposed to light...at least that's my belief. How could you possibly stand waiting more than a couple of days anyhow? I sure as hell can't.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I like to get film processed ASAP after exposure. Things can deteriorate fast once it has been exposed to light...at least that's my belief. How could you possibly stand waiting more than a couple of days anyhow? I sure as hell can't.

I do my own color and b/w processing for my studio photography, as well as my personal photography. I have let exposed Ektachrome sit in a holder for a week in the studio, while I shot enough holders to make up a "run" and I have not experienced ANY deterioration of image quality.

In some rare instances, I have gone as long as a month between exposure and development of E-6 Ektachrome 4x5, with the film remaining in the film holder. No problems. B/W would have even better keeping qualities.