Exposed negatives during long offroad trips

Gaston 012 · Dec 15, 2019

Hello:
I am about to embark on a 5 day offroad little adventure and, since I will be on my truck and camping out, the storage of exposed negatives became a problem.
Only for the 8x10's since the 4x5 are easily placed on cheap, plastic bags sold at B&H.
I carry several of these, labeled with the the type of film and , if necessary, with developing instructions
But I have nothing for the 8x10's
I have changing bags that allow the removal of exposed negatives and their placing on the large envelopes mentioned above.
Any advice on where to store the 8X10's?
An empty negative box will do but then they will all be in one place.
Thanks

DREW WILEY · Dec 15, 2019

Have along a picnic cooler with bubble wrap cushioning in it, for the sides and bottom. Keep all your filmholder in there, except when in use. The bigger problem is getting dust on unexp film or inside your camera itself. If you're shooting beside a dirt road and another 4-wheeler comes by, your trip could get ruined from a photographic standpoint. I keep a roll of big trashcan liners in the truck. In a dust emergency you can pull one of those over the camera. There are distinct tricks to using a film tent too. I keep a thin black wastebasket liner in those, and change it out if necessary. Exp film should be placed in 3 pc clamshell film boxes, themselves well cleaned of lint.

Gaston 012 · Dec 15, 2019

Great advice, good points.
I never, unless I come upon an exceptional "shoot", use the camera anywhere near a road. Not because of what you say, I am too dumba and inexperienced to think about dust!!!!, but because I like to hike into the field and take my time looking around.
Thanks, will take your precautions to heart.

thornhill · Dec 15, 2019

Gaston 012 said:
Hello:
I am about to embark on a 5 day offroad little adventure and, since I will be on my truck and camping out, the storage of exposed negatives became a problem.
Only for the 8x10's since the 4x5 are easily placed on cheap, plastic bags sold at B&H.
I carry several of these, labeled with the the type of film and , if necessary, with developing instructions
But I have nothing for the 8x10's
I have changing bags that allow the removal of exposed negatives and their placing on the large envelopes mentioned above.
Any advice on where to store the 8X10's?
An empty negative box will do but then they will all be in one place.
Thanks

I see B&H sells Delta Safe-T-Bags in 10x14" size, 5 for $8.95. Would those work?

Vaughn · Dec 16, 2019

My solution -- enough 8x10 holders to not have to empty holders for a few weeks on the road (in my case around thirty 8x10, ten 11x14, and a dozen 5x7). Thus my field notes with the holder numbers still match the holders when it comes time to return home and develop film. Otherwise, I put in old film boxes, trying to keep the film sorted by SBR (which determines developing).

Gaston 012 · Dec 16, 2019

Thanks Thorn, I ordered a few, I will give them a try ,will probably need 2 per group so that they will be sealed since I can not fold them.
Vaughn solution is better but it will be very expensive these days to get 20 more 8x10 film holders, so I will pass on that one.
Thank you again, great advice.

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2019

I have been off roading for over ten years. A large cooler for 8"x10" film and wrap up the film, holders and equipment to keep out the dust. Also you may want a bigger camera.

Gaston 012 · Dec 16, 2019

Why a bigger camera? I get into enough trouble with these 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 16, 2019

Do not stick your film in plastic sleeves without card stock or paper (like the folded cardstock found inside Ilford film boxes). On a photo trip, every neg that was on top of a pile that was kept inside a plastic sleeve were ruined... I think it was due to humidity, causing the plastic to stick to the surface of the film. Cardboard eliminated that problem.

Gaston 012 · Dec 16, 2019

Good point Andrew, over and out.
Thank you

Vaughn · Dec 16, 2019

Gaston 012 said:
...Vaughn solution is better but it will be very expensive these days to get 20 more 8x10 film holders, so I will pass on that one.
Thank you again, great advice.

Well, it has taken since 1995 to gather up that many holders. Everything is expensive except bad advise. Keep your eyes open for holders...we're dropping like flies...

But think about it -- we spend a lot of money getting to somewhere...shame to miss the best opportunity of the trip because all one's holders already have exposed film in them! I have been there bicycle touring with a 4x5 and only 6 holders!

DREW WILEY · Dec 16, 2019

I'm more of a backpacker, but often use 4WD to get to trailheads. But since I've now entered my 70's, 8x10 is more of a dayhike option, and 4x5 more realistic for long backpacks.

Gaston 012 · Dec 16, 2019

Vaughn said:
Well, it has taken since 1995 to gather up that many holders. Everything is expensive except bad advise. Keep your eyes open for holders...we're dropping like fliesThat is a

Yep;
Good point, especially the "dropping" part!
I use the 8x10 much less than the 4x5 but am trying to get more carriers,still, the plastic bag solution is , for now, is cheaper and since they are labeled, one can separate the different negatives for one on one developing

MattKing · Dec 16, 2019

I wonder if one could make use of something like an accordion folder inside a light tight envelope - something like this:
https://www.uline.ca/Product/Detail...VB_5kCh2Ohwz2EAQYASABEgKUZfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Gaston 012 · Dec 17, 2019

MattKing said:
I wonder if one could make use of something like an accordion folder inside a light tight envelope - something like this:
https://www.uline.ca/Product/Detail...VB_5kCh2Ohwz2EAQYASABEgKUZfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It would have to be a big sucker!
In my case not practical but others might find it doable your way.

James Bleifus · Dec 17, 2019

Vaughn said:
My solution -- enough 8x10 holders to not have to empty holders for a few weeks on the road (in my case around thirty 8x10, ten 11x14, and a dozen 5x7).

Vaughn · Dec 17, 2019

James Bleifus said:

yourself! LOL! This time last year I was in southern Chile with my two boys...car camping for a month. I had my 5x7, six holders and a new changing bag/tent. I tossed all the exposed film in the same box and decided to develop it all the same when I got home...worked pretty well. You do what you gotta do on the road!

Beached Boat, Chile. -- platinum/palladium print. We camped about 20 meters from this boat -- early morning before my boys woke up.

Santiago, Chile -- our last night in Chile. A pt/pd print. Taken from the roof of our hostel. I had a couple holders still loaded with unexposed film and thought it silly to take it home still unexposed, so I had some fun. My camera pack (w/ film and holders) were carry-on, so I left the last batch of 6 holders loaded so at least I could custom develop them if needed.

Gaston 012 · Dec 17, 2019

Vaughn said:
yourself! LOL! This time last year I was in southern Chile with my two boys...car camping for a month. I had my 5x7, six holders and a new changing bag/tent. I tossed all the exposed film in the same box and decided to develop it all the same when I got home...worked pretty well. You do what you gotta do on the road!

Beached Boat, Chile. -- platinum/palladium print. We camped about 20 meters from this boat -- early morning before my boys woke up.

Santiago, Chile -- our last night in Chile. A pt/pd print. Taken from the roof of our hostel. I had a couple holders still loaded with unexposed film and thought it silly to take it home still unexposed, so I had some fun. My camera pack (w/ film and holders) were carry-on, so I left the last batch of 6 holders loaded so at least I could custom develop them if needed.

Great shots, congrats!

James Bleifus · Dec 17, 2019

Those are fabulous!

Cheers, James

Exposed negatives during long offroad trips

Gaston 012

DREW WILEY

Gaston 012

thornhill

Vaughn

Gaston 012

Sirius Glass

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Gaston 012

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Gaston 012

MattKing

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Exposed negatives during long offroad trips

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