darkslides

[Ray Heath]

g'day all

are there any 'tricks' to loading darkslides in total darkness

 

[df cardwell]

we talking what americans call 'sheet film holders' ????

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Apart from the obvious need to get the film emulsion facing out (notch at top right hand corner), the most useful "trick" I use is to put the thumb and third finger of my left hand (I am right-handed) on the ends of the film guides in the holder. This makes it much easier to locate the leading edge of the film sheet and push it home. Don't pul the sheaths right out - about half-way is fine. And don't forget to note where the fingernail depression is at the hinged end of the film holder - you need to be able to find this easily to remove the film later without damage. If the hinged flaps of your holders are springy, you will find if you use your thumb and third finger as described above, you will have your first and second fingers left over to hold the flap down in the fully open position and stop it scratching the back of the film. As with all operations that need to be carried out in the dark, practise in the light with scrap film first!

 

[argus]

g'day all

are there any 'tricks' to loading darkslides in total darkness

yes: sacrifice a sheet and practice with the lights on

Google on load sheet film holders and you will find a lot of istructional pages.

G

 

[MurrayMinchin]

As suggested already, sacrifice a sheet for the cause and practice with your eyes closed.

Oh, and I'm a bottom-lefter when it comes to film notches...those top-righters are such a slope foreheaded, knuckle dragging, drooling herd of conformists! Be a man and drop them to the left!!

Murray

 

[raucousimages]

I always go top right. That way when I forget to mark the bags I can try to feel the noch and figure out what I loaded. E-6 and D-76 is a bad combo.

 

[argus]

I always go top right. That way when I forget to mark the bags I can try to feel the noch and figure out what I loaded. E-6 and D-76 is a bad combo.

I mark the holders before loading them, that way you can't forget what film is inside.

G

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Check out Butzi:

http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm

 

[tim atherton]

Check out Butzi:

http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm

and

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/loading.html

(Paul has nicer pictures though)

 

[Neal]

Dear Ray,

I suggest a large changing bag or tent rather than sitting in darkness. Also, a small libation to prevent any tendency to become upset about things. ;>)

Neal Wydra

 

[John McCallum]

Practice.

After you've done a few thousand you'll even be able to do it with your eyes shut.

As suggested already, sacrifice a sheet for the cause and practice with your eyes closed.

Oh, and I'm a bottom-lefter when it comes to film notches...those top-righters are such a slope foreheaded, knuckle dragging, drooling herd of conformists! Be a man and drop them to the left!!

Murray

Hey ! - I resemble that comment.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Bottom left for me. I like to have the notch at the flap end, so that if for some reason I need to figure out what film is in the holder, I can feel it in the dark without having to remove the whole sheet. I also label the holders usually, so it probably isn't necessary, but I figure it's a good habit to have.

 

[marko_trebusak]

I always go top right. That way when I forget to mark the bags I can try to feel the noch and figure out what I loaded. E-6 and D-76 is a bad combo.

I too go top right. A few days back I realised that Velvia 100F is wonderful B&W film in Pyrocat HD, only film base plus fog is rather high :rolleyes:.

And fingertips on beginnings of film guides are very effective trick. I use that all the time.

Marko

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I like to have the darkslide 3/4 of the way out. If you try to slide the film in with the darkslide an inch out it's pretty tough.. That's my $0.02..