LF Exposure Notes

photomc · Nov 24, 2004

Since LF is still new to me, was wondering how most members identify there exposed negative (still in the holder) - ie how you intend to process, N, N-, N+? And while discussing this, how the heck to you keep the negative and intended development identified when on a trip. Do you keep seperate film boxes, marked N, N-, N+ etc?

Thanks,

Alex Hawley · Nov 24, 2004

Hi Mike,

I use a rudementry simple system comprise a 3x5 spiral notebook and a writing utensil. My film holders are numbered (1,2,3 and so forth) and labled with the type of film that is loaded in each one.

When I make a shot, I simply note the date, the film holder number, brief description, exposure setting, and note N, N+, N-, N+++, and so forth.

After a day's shooting, I go back and give each sheet a sequential number using a sequence I dreamed up myself. A typical negative number is 84010 - 8 denotes 8x10, 4 denotes the year, 010 denotes the tenth sheet of the year.

When I print, I go by the negative number. But having noted which film holder each sheet was loaded in helps when there is a problem with a holder that doesn't show up until a print is made. For example, I had a cracked darkslide which showed up on the print. Knowing what holder the sheet was in when the exposure was made led to quick replacement of the culprit.

sergio caetano · Nov 24, 2004

See ideas for what Alex said in : Ansel Adams, The Negative.

bmac · Nov 24, 2004

Check out this thread. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

photomc · Nov 24, 2004

Thanks for the input so far, guess I did not do a very good job asking the question...but Alex you hit what I was looking for perfectly. Had not thought about numbering the film holders, duh! Your point is well taken, not only does it help keep up with films, exposure, development - but would be invaluable in solving problems with a give holder/slide.

Thanks,

Donald Miller · Nov 24, 2004

photomc said:
Since LF is still new to me, was wondering how most members identify there exposed negative (still in the holder) - ie how you intend to process, N, N-, N+? And while discussing this, how the heck to you keep the negative and intended development identified when on a trip. Do you keep seperate film boxes, marked N, N-, N+ etc?

Thanks,

Mike, I also number my holders. They sell adhesive labels at most office supply stores that fit the web at the light trap on 4X5 and larger holders. I keep a spiral notebook and note the date, the exposure number, the location, and the SBR of the photograph. If I am out for an extended period and have to unload holders before I return home then I have empty film boxes with the SBR noted on them. I typically unload holders in the bathroom of the motel room since I have found the rooms are too darned bright even at midnight. Thus I have five boxes for each format. They would be labeled as SBR 5, 6,7,8, and 9

Alex Hawley · Nov 24, 2004

Thanks Mike. Two things I forgot to mention.

Using this method, you can easily segregate the sheets by N number when development time comes. I just leave the sheets in the holders and unload them as necessary for developing. Of course, if one was on the road and had to reload, the sheets could be put into boxes, segregated by N number.

Also, my notes are very brief. Two lines on the 3x5 page for each shot is typical, three if there's something exceptional to note.

When I started LF, I copied the Ansel Adams form and made about a hundred copies. I found it too cumbersome. It required another two three-ring notebooks to contend with, one of which has to go along with the camera at all times. The 3x5 notebook fits into any available pocket and is easily stowed in the camera case. Not my invention though. Credit for the idea goes to Michael A. Smith. The backs of Ansel forms (which are blank) are now used to record printing information.

BarrieB · Nov 25, 2004

I only use Tri-X film in my 4 X 5 view camera, each D/Dark has a number and I write details in a small Spirax note book, almost all of my negatives are given ' normal' development, makes things a lot easier.

Ole · Nov 25, 2004

All my holders are numbered, and I carry a little nootebook in my gear bag. Then I develop by inspection anyway, since I always forget which film was used for the SBR 3 scene and which for the SBR 14 one.

Yes, this has happened to me. Embarrassing...

Mongo · Nov 25, 2004

I've settled on labelling my film holders and carrying a small microcassette recorder. I found that a small notebook and pen were two thing I was amazingly capable of losing in my camera bag, but for some reason I never misplace the recorder. The other advantages of this system for me are that I never have to waste time trying to decode my own handwriting, and I'm much likelier to take extensive notes if I can read them into a recorder and transcribe them later than if I have to write them out in the field.

As usual, different strokes for different folks.

Monophoto · Nov 25, 2004

My film holders are numbered (I used paint pens rather than stick-on labels). I have a small notebook (not spiral bound) that I used to make notes in the field referring everything to the holder number.

then, after processing the film, and file it in acetate sleaves. I have some 8.5x11 record sheets that I designed using Microsoft Excel and copied on a Xerox machine that I then transfer the field notes to, and have a place to make printing notes.

When I am traveling, I take spare boxes marked N, N-1, N+1, etc. I transfer the film to the boxes and reload the holders either by hiding in the hotel bathroom with a towel on the floor under the door, or using a changing bag. I make sure that I have enough notations in my little notebook that I can tie negatives back to the notes after processing since boxing the film eliminates the link to the holder number.

by the way, the notebook that I use is NOT spiral bound. There are two reasons for this. One is that I want to slip the notebook into my overstuffed backback, and I am concerned that the wire spiral could scratch whatever the notebook is next to. The other reason is that putting a spiral bound notebook into an overstuffed backback will almost certainly result in a squashed spiral.

BBarlow690 · Nov 25, 2004

I carry a small pad of Post-Its, and if a neg needs anything other than Normal development, I slip the non-sticky end of the Post it down in the end of the holder and press the sticky part onto the slide. I can label it if need be. They're easy to feel when I'm unloading in the dark, although I also stack all the sticky ones together to unload first, in the hopes I'll remain unconfused. They're reusable, too, if I remember to reuse them.

On a trip I carry separate boxes for different development. I only use N and N+ 1 1/2, so I only need two for exposed film.

These days also I make one neg of a scene for N, and another for N+1 1/2, so I got in the habit of using the even-numbered side of the holder for N, the odd for the other, which also keeps it simple for me in the dark.

Hope this helps. Richard Ritter filed notches in the ends of his holders using binary notation to correspond to the number of the holder to a notch pattern. That way, you can see the notches on the edge of the film and identify negs, but it doesn't really interfere with the image. A great idea, but one that I haven't gotten to yet.

photomc · Nov 25, 2004

Good input as always..not to morph this into something else, but how often or how many take more than one film into the field with them? Say, FP4+ and Tri-X..I had considered the post-it notes, but wonder if they would come off. Have considered using a color code of some sort to label the holders to identify films - those little colored dots that can be placed on the holders.

Alex Hawley · Nov 25, 2004

photomc said:
Good input as always..not to morph this into something else, but how often or how many take more than one film into the field with them? Say, FP4+ and Tri-X..I had considered the post-it notes, but wonder if they would come off. Have considered using a color code of some sort to label the holders to identify films - those little colored dots that can be placed on the holders.

I thought about using post-it notes but they come off too easily. I just use some small stick-on labels, the type used on office files, usually cut in half. They are small, stay attached, easily removed, and work just fine. One label with the film holder number on it, another with the type of film and the date I loaded it. No color coding; that's just one more little administrative hassle to me. I strive to be true to the KISS principle - the less confusion there is, the less chances of a flub. And flubs come often enough the way it is.

Ole · Nov 25, 2004

photomc said:
Good input as always..not to morph this into something else, but how often or how many take more than one film into the field with them? Say, FP4+ and Tri-X...

I solve that problem by using 13x18cm Ektachrome and 5x7" FP-4. Or 4x5" MACO 820c and 9x12cm APX100. Or something like that. Anyway; they're always different sizes. Makes it easier to remember what's in which holder!

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