Labs That Process Sheet Film With the Identifying Notches Cut Off??

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 3, 2012

I'm thinking of shooting Kodak Ektar 100 cut from 8x10 down to 5x7.

Am I going to have trouble finding a lab that will process the ends with the identifying notches cut off? I don't mind mailing my film to a reputable lab. I know some labs will do end-run processing of film which they can't verify but I'd prefer my film isn't processed in last stages of chemistry quality.

Chris Lange · Jul 3, 2012

It shouldn't matter, considering that ektar's process time is just standardized c-41...no lab worth their salt will give you a hard time, I don't think.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 3, 2012

You don't think they'll be concerned it might be b&w or slide film?

Chris Lange · Jul 3, 2012

I always label my film with exactly what's inside with a big black sharpie, and tell my lab to process it as c-41, regardless of other possibilities, or e6, if it's chrome.

It should pose them no less of a problem than it would to ask for a cross process, all it takes is them putting a colored dot on the film holder/box/readyload/canister to signify it for a given type of process.

Leigh B · Jul 3, 2012

Why are you cutting the notches off?

Just cut the selvage from the sides opposite the corner with the notches.

- Leigh

BrianShaw · Jul 3, 2012

Chris Lange said:
I always label my film with exactly what's inside with a big black sharpie, and tell my lab to process it as c-41, regardless of other possibilities, or e6, if it's chrome.

Ditto.

And if I were cutting down film and notches were not present... I'd write that too.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 3, 2012

All... For now, I intend to only shoot C-41 film. If the absence of the notches poses no problem for the lab then there's no problem.

Leigh... If I cut 8x10 down to 5x7 then not only will the notches be placed incorrectly on one sheet but the other will have no notches at all.

Sirius Glass · Jul 3, 2012

Just tell them the film type and that you cut the film down so there will be no notches.

By the way how do you know that you loaded the film holder with the emulsion faced out?

BradS · Jul 3, 2012

If you find a lab that'll do 5x7 C-41, they should have no trouble understanding your situation. As others have already said, simply communicate the facts to the lab.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 3, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
<snip> ...how do you know that you loaded the film holder with the emulsion faced out?

I'll have to do everything precisely the same way every time...

1. Cut the film face up.
2. Place each sheet, as I cut them, in the storage box face up.
3. Load the film in the holders face up.
4. Don't cut or load film if I'm tired.

frotog · Jul 4, 2012

I've been having notchless 5x7 film developed by LTINYC for years now. It is critical to load the refrema racks with the sheets' emulsion side facing the same direction. For this reason, all the film they receive from me has the emulsion side oriented the same way in the download box and the direction is plainly marked on the outside of the box. Ne'er a problem.

However, if after cutting you've forgotten which side has the emulsion do not panic - a simple test will show you (and it can be done in the dark). When handled by the edges all film sags. Whether you do this holding the sheet from the short sides or the long sides, the emulsion side is always the side that curls inward.

Good luck.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 4, 2012

frotog... thanks for the tips!!

A gazillion years ago if I was confused about which was the emulsion side I very slightly dampened a finger (tiny bit of spit) and felt at an extreme edge for the sticky side. The film I used was always stickier on the emulsion side. I only got confused a couple of times and never got into the image area.

M. Lointain · Jul 4, 2012

Why not just use a hole punch rigged up to cut a notch in the appropriate area? No confusion then.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 4, 2012

^^^ Because that's another step to add dust... and... well 'cause I'm lazy.

I'll consider it anyway but I don't know how to set that up. Maybe a 3-hole punch and only use one end??

Prof_Pixel · Jul 4, 2012

I used to simply cut off a small triangular piece of the corner.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 4, 2012

Prof_Pixel said:
I used to simply cut off a small triangular piece of the corner.

That's a quick/easy solution. Works for me!!

Labs That Process Sheet Film With the Identifying Notches Cut Off??

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