Film holder help/advice

[LF-Newbie]

OK. I'm new at the whole large format thing, so bear with me. I'm quite familiar with roll film, but ran into a issue using film holders with 4x5 sheets.

I found loading the film holders fairly simple and straight forward. No problem. My problem came when unloading the film holder (Fidelity Elite and similar). I had a difficult time getting the film out ofthe holder. When loading film into reels and tanks, I usually wear thin white nylon lab gloves to prevent finger prints and skin oils from getting on the film. Is there an accepted way of removing the film from the holders? Or is it just that I can't be wearing gloves to do it so I can get my nail under the film to lift it out? What methods or techniques do you use and what is normally recommended? I didn't notice any mention of this the books I have on this, so I didn't give it any thought before trying.

Thanks for the help and advice.

 

[jstraw]

I never wear gloves and never harm a sheet. A fingernail under the sheet where the recess is allows me to lift the edge enough to get a finger under it...I slide it back far enough to hold the rwo opposite edges between my fingertips and slide it the rest of the way out.

 

[Peter Williams]

I never wear gloves and never harm a sheet. A fingernail under the sheet where the recess is allows me to lift the edge enough to get a finger under it...I slide it back far enough to hold the rwo opposite edges between my fingertips and slide it the rest of the way out.

This is the way that I do it as well. I have had problems scratching the negatives if I try to unload them too quickly, so I take my time and try to remove the film without bending it upwards.

 

[jp80874]

Welcome LF-Newbie. Don't feel badly. We were all there a few stumbles ago. Most of the gloves I see sold for dry film handling are cotton. Not sure if that would work better than nylon. I use cotton gloves after the sheet film is developed. I think, and some one correct me if needed, that very minor finger prints come off in the pre wash before you put the film in developer. I never see any after development, but I sure can add them later if I don't wear the cotton gloves. Hope that helps.

John Powers

 

[fschifano]

Same as Peter and jstraw. No problems.