Importance of the contact sheet

[Peter Schrager]

Fred Picker convinced me, years ago, just how important it was to make, what he called "a proper proof". It was not just to show you which negatives would make usable prints but also would show you if you had a problem with any part of your film exposure, film developing,, enlarger exposure, print processing, the whole routine. It tell you far more than just a record of your shooting. And I don't care how "calibrated" you eyes are, a proper proof can show you errors that you would probably miss........Regards!

Exactly!! that's why I always proof...

 

[MattKing]

The contact DOES make it easier for me to identify what the negatives are A Picture Of.....but when i put them on my little light box, and look at each frame with a loop, the fidelity is pretty lousy.

You are doing this wrong .
You don't put the contact proof sheets on a light box.
You illuminate them from the front, and use a loupe or magnifier that lets the light get to them.
I like big ones like this one: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1097609-REG/carson_lo_06_lumiloup_plus_6x_power.html

 

[CMoore]

Thank You.
I did not realize they made a Focus-able loupe as well.
My contacts just got a new lease on life
I had tried using a flashlight with my loupes, but they are probably too small to make that very easy to do.
I noticed in your B&H link, that they sell a loupe that also, kind of, has a ring-light incorporated with it.