I can't find a place that sells New Empty film boxes, I'm shocked!

greg zinselmeier · May 5, 2021

C'mon man! I would think that Every retail store, or on-line store would sell the ( what i call) "the 3 lock box" shells without the film ----- Brand New cut sheet film-8x10 boxes for either 25, 50 or 100 sheets. What happens when your old boxes, . . . well. . . . . start getting too old.

I can't beleive there isn't a need for this.

I am Assuming the reason why it is not sold as generic box- no labeled) - is that the latest film box purchased, would be "the new empty box" when you have exposed all sheets. . .. .

I would like to stop using my old boxes, I have kept over the years, and buy new, without the film of course!!!

does any body know where to buy new?

ChristopherCoy · May 5, 2021

Have you looked for "archival boxes"?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._OB12_BLK_Scrapbooking_Storage_Box_Model.html

greg zinselmeier · May 5, 2021

Nice! I wasn’t even thinking about archival boxes? Duh!!!! Let’s see if . . .

greg zinselmeier · May 5, 2021

Ya, but. It’s not the “3 box, within a box thing. Light tight too.

AgX · May 5, 2021

Mirko of Fotoimpex years ago (2013) on a request as yours promised to offer (all?) his types of boxes empty too and put several sizes in his shop.

At they moment they only list paper sizes (13x18cm and 8x10").

I assume getting empty cardboard boxes sent over from Germany is not option for you... otherwise send him a PM.

toyoboyo · May 5, 2021

It's been a common problem for beginners with 4x5 from what I can tell. I'm going through the same issue - no 3 part boxes to exposed film in before developing.

Bazza D · May 5, 2021

Could just buy a darkroom paper safe. Not as cheap as a box but would last longer.

greg zinselmeier · May 5, 2021

All good thoughts. . . . . People.. . . . I appreciate your insights. . .. . . I think I am going to make one. I found some Chip board, and some "linen embossed" paper with PVA glue, laminating the entire surfaces, will do the trick. Instead of Clam shell box. I am just gonna make a 3 step box.

cmacd123 · May 5, 2021

some places will sell the bags and envloopes for paper empty. that could be an interim solution

winger · May 5, 2021

Jonathan F said:
It's been a common problem for beginners with 4x5 from what I can tell. I'm going through the same issue - no 3 part boxes to exposed film in before developing.

If you really need a couple, PM me. No promises on what may have been written on them, though, and I only have 4x5.

Nodda Duma · May 6, 2021

There’s no demand because as soon as a large format photographer empties the first, then he/she never needs to find one.

You couldn’t find them because you didn’t ask.

How many are you looking for? I think I have a couple Kodak three piece 8x10 boxes. Fuji doesn’t use 3 piece 8x10 boxes.

-Jason

koraks · May 6, 2021

greg zinselmeier said:
All good thoughts. . . . . People.. . . . I appreciate your insights. . .. . . I think I am going to make one. I found some Chip board, and some "linen embossed" paper with PVA glue, laminating the entire surfaces, will do the trick. Instead of Clam shell box. I am just gonna make a 3 step box.

Yes that's what I would do in your situation as well. It isn't hard; 30 minutes of fun with an exacto knife and some glue and you're all set! Beats waiting for the postman to deliver your parcel.

dkonigs · May 6, 2021

Jonathan F said:
It's been a common problem for beginners with 4x5 from what I can tell. I'm going through the same issue - no 3 part boxes to exposed film in before developing.

One solution is to make sure you only buy small 10-sheet boxes when starting out, especially if you're not processing yourself yet.

Another is to hope one of these "forum folks" offering to send you their spares actually follows through. (The one who was offering back when I was starting out didn't.) I really don't like having to rely on that approach, however.

Sometimes someone will suggest you ask a lab if they have any spares. But in this day and age, good luck with that. Most of us don't have the "friendly neighborhood lab that does 4x5" anymore, and the one time I did ask a lab they said they don't keep them around. (Since customers want their boxes back after using them to send film in.)

But yeah, I really wish we could just buy these outright.

At one point, I actually decided to design a 3D-print-able 4x5 box. It might be okay if you print it in all black, and keep the paper in an inner black plastic bag, but I've never tested it on actual film.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4119828

Donald Qualls · May 6, 2021

FWIW, I have a box of (long expired) Tri-X Ortho that I'm pretty confident is in the 3-layer box, but none of the other 4x5 or 9x12 film I've used did. From reading, I was expecting that, but when I opened my first box of 9x12 Fomapan, I found inner, outer...and the plastic bag. Just like the packaging for enlarging paper.

ic-racer · May 6, 2021

greg zinselmeier said:
C'mon man! I would think that Every retail store, or on-line store would sell the ( what i call) "the 3 lock box" shells without the film ----- Brand New cut sheet film-8x10 boxes for either 25, 50 or 100 sheets. What happens when your old boxes, . . . well. . . . . start getting too old.

I can't beleive there isn't a need for this.

I am Assuming the reason why it is not sold as generic box- no labeled) - is that the latest film box purchased, would be "the new empty box" when you have exposed all sheets. . .. .

I would like to stop using my old boxes, I have kept over the years, and buy new, without the film of course!!!

does any body know where to buy new?

I throw mine away. What are you doing with them? I also throw out my 120 spools. Do people re-use these things?

randyB · May 6, 2021

Back when there were lots of pro labs around you could ask if they had any empty boxes. Most times they had plenty and just gave them to you.

I can't find a place that sells New Empty film boxes, I'm shocked!

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency