How can I tell which side is emulsion in the dark? 4 x 5 negative

[Will Burkholder]

Borrowing an illford pinhole camera, and I will be using 4 x 5 negative. I was told to load the negatives in complete darkness, with the emulsion side facing the pinhole. assuming this is correct, how to I tell which side is the emulsion side in the dark? I know there are small slots cut into the negative to help figure this out, but I am not sure which way they are supposed to be oriented. Thanks in advance!

 

[Prof_Pixel]

To have the emulsion side up, the notch goes at the upper right or lower left

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Unless the film has a retouching provision the base side is also smoother to the tough.

 

[Jim Jones]

Also one can slightly wet their lips and place the edge of the film between them. With most films the emulsion side will tend to stick to the lips.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Borrowing an illford pinhole camera, and I will be using 4 x 5 negative. I was told to load the negatives in complete darkness, with the emulsion side facing the pinhole. assuming this is correct, how to I tell which side is the emulsion side in the dark? I know there are small slots cut into the negative to help figure this out, but I am not sure which way they are supposed to be oriented. Thanks in advance!

when you can feel the notches in the upper right corner, you are facing the emulsion.

 

[jim10219]

And just to clarify a bit further, the emulsion is facing you if the notches are on the right side of the top. I read “upper right hand corner” when I first loaded a 4x5 film holder and though they were talking landscape. So my notches were on the right side, near the top. I thought that meant “upper right hand corner”. I wasted a day and 12 negatives, but I learned how to orient them properly after that.

 

[BradS]

Always refer to the manufacturer's data sheet...it has all kinds of useful info...see for example the attached data sheet for Ilford HP5+
All 4x5 sheet film works the same as illustrated on the first page of this data sheet...the notch codes will be different but the idea is the same.
When the film is held in the portrait orientation, with the notches in the top right, the emulsion is facing you...

 

[Will Burkholder]

thank you for the help! i'm ready to go now.

 

[Sirius Glass]

To have the emulsion side up, the notch goes at the upper right or lower left

when you can feel the notches in the upper right corner, you are facing the emulsion.

And just to clarify a bit further, the emulsion is facing you if the notches are on the right side of the top. I read “upper right hand corner” when I first loaded a 4x5 film holder and though they were talking landscape. So my notches were on the right side, near the top. I thought that meant “upper right hand corner”. I wasted a day and 12 negatives, but I learned how to orient them properly after that.

Always refer to the manufacturer's data sheet...it has all kinds of useful info...see for example the attached data sheet for Ilford HP5+
All 4x5 sheet film works the same as illustrated on the first page of this data sheet...the notch codes will be different but the idea is the same.
When the film is held in the portrait orientation, with the notches in the top right, the emulsion is facing you...

The notches are on the upper right. Once learned it is best not forgotten.

 

[Arklatexian]

And just to clarify a bit further, the emulsion is facing you if the notches are on the right side of the top. I read “upper right hand corner” when I first loaded a 4x5 film holder and though they were talking landscape. So my notches were on the right side, near the top. I thought that meant “upper right hand corner”. I wasted a day and 12 negatives, but I learned how to orient them properly after that.

Being left-handed, I load my holders with my left hand. However I still make sure that those "notches" are on the upper right hand edge of the film and haven't lost a film because of this since I lost the first 25 sheets that I tried to load back when I was 18. At the end of this week, I'll be 87. By golly that is almost 60 years ago. Now, I'll bet I screw up next time I load a holder........Regards!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Emulsion is facing you when notches are top right... bottom left if you're in Australia.

 

[crumpet8]

Being left-handed, I load my holders with my left hand. However I still make sure that those "notches" are on the upper right hand edge of the film and haven't lost a film because of this since I lost the first 25 sheets that I tried to load back when I was 18. At the end of this week, I'll be 87. By golly that is almost 60 years ago. Now, I'll bet I screw up next time I load a holder........Regards!

Wow! Your archives must be something

 

[AgX]

And just to clarify a bit further, the emulsion is facing you if the notches are on the right side of the top. I read “upper right hand corner” when I first loaded a 4x5 film holder and though they were talking landscape. So my notches were on the right side, near the top. I thought that meant “upper right hand corner”. I wasted a day and 12 negatives, but I learned how to orient them properly after that.

This shows how important exact wording is!

Thus
At the top edge, right hand corner

 

[Fritzthecat]

This:
http://zo-d.com/stuff/photography/how-to-load-4x5-sheet-film-holders.html

 

[RalphLambrecht]

And just to clarify a bit further, the emulsion is facing you if the notches are on the right side of the top. I read “upper right hand corner” when I first loaded a 4x5 film holder and though they were talking landscape. So my notches were on the right side, near the top. I thought that meant “upper right hand corner”. I wasted a day and 12 negatives, but I learned how to orient them properly after that.

sorry for the confusion.

 

[darkroommike]

Also one can slightly wet their lips and place the edge of the film between them. With most films the emulsion side will tend to stick to the lips.

Used to do that, then found that a lot of film and paper emulsions are doped with heavy metals, I no longer do that.

 

[paul ron]

The notches are on the upper right. Once learned it is best not forgotten.

thats it!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Putting two film sheets in one slot is almost as rewarding and putting the emulsion side facing the film holder.

 

[removed account4]

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[Ivo]

And just to clarify a bit further, the emulsion is facing you if the notches are on the right side of the top. I read “upper right hand corner” when I first loaded a 4x5 film holder and though they were talking landscape. So my notches were on the right side, near the top. I thought that meant “upper right hand corner”. I wasted a day and 12 negatives, but I learned how to orient them properly after that.

+1

 

[Grandpa Ron]

So. I think I have this.
* Film in "portrait" position. That means a 4" side is "up"
* Notch is in upper right corner.
* Emulsion side is facing you.
* Film holder is loaded so emulsion faces lens when slide cover is removed.

Do I get an "atta boy" for figuring it out?

Thanks folks, it has been a really long time.

 

[peter k.]

Yep ya got it, have fun...

 

[Nodda Duma]

I think this is one of the few things that all large format photographers can agree upon.

 

[Vaughn]

Occasionally I get some film notched in the opposite corner....