emulsion side?

smileyguy · May 28, 2006

A very silly question from a quasi noob... I just bought some of the Print File Archival Preservers for my 35mm negative strips. It says at the top of them to insert emusion side down. Ummm, which side is the emulsion side?

Thanks for taking the time. :confused:

Neal · May 28, 2006

Dear smileyguy,

The emulsion is opposite the "shiny" side. A possibly easier way is to look at the negavtive and place it in the holder such that you can read the edge markings properly and the image is in the proper orientation. The emuslion is on the other side.

Neal Wydra

AZLF · May 28, 2006

The emulsion side is the side of the film with the light sensitive silver halide emulsion on it. It can be identified on 35 mm film by noting which side of the film has the curl to it(the emulsion side is the inside or concave side of the curl). Or by looking at the film and noting the shiny vs the somewhat flat and slightly granular looking side. The flat looking side is the emulsion side. This is how my photo instructor described it many years ago.

I'm sure there will be many other descriptions to come.

smileyguy · May 28, 2006

Okay, thanks to both of you. Emulsion side=matte/flat/not shiny side.

A secondary question: What difference does it make when you using these holders to put emulsion side down or not?

RalphLambrecht · May 28, 2006

I wondered about that myself. I don't see why it would make a difference, other than:

When you look at the film and you can read the numbers, the emulsion side faces away from you. If you put the film into the PrintFile this way, the script and the numbers are both readable. PrintFile claims that you don't need to take the film out to make contact proofs. They make more sense when all is readable and nothing is reversed.

Just guessing ,but it works for me that way.

Donald Qualls · May 28, 2006

RalphLambrecht said:
When you look at the film and you can read the numbers, the emulsion side faces away from you. If you put the film into the PrintFile this way, the script and the numbers are both readable. PrintFile claims that you don't need to take the film out to make contact proofs. They make more sense when all is readable and nothing is reversed.

Just guessing ,but it works for me that way.

Exactly. Your handwritten notes and the images will read the same direction in a contact proof if you insert the film emulsion down.

emulsion side?

smileyguy

Neal

AZLF

smileyguy

RalphLambrecht

Donald Qualls

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