Light tight containers

Hi folks im looking for cheap, light tight containers that need to be sized, on the interior, minimum 4"x4 with a minimum height of 3".
Anyone got any ideas?

A couple of questions.

What do you mean by "sized"?

What material can it be -- or NOT be?

What are the max sizes?

Check ULINE.COM. They have a TON of containers to choose from.

Thanks, by sized i mean i need particular dimensions, atleast 4 inches in length, 4 inches in width and a minimum of 3 inches in depth. i'll check out that link. It can be any material, so long as it's cheap and light tight

looked at the link- thanks for the recommendation. Have you used any of their containers for light tight storage? if so what would you recommend?
Thanks!

RoboRepublic said:

Thanks, by sized i mean i need particular dimensions, atleast 4 inches in length, 4 inches in width and a minimum of 3 inches in depth. i'll check out that link. It can be any material, so long as it's cheap and light tight

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looks like some of their boxes could be light tiht ut a walk through the office section of an IKEA store may be worth your time too.

Does the container have to be light tight, or could you put the contents in a light tight bag, etc. inside the container?

A Folger's coffee can, the plastic ones.

Oops, don't use it. I just emptied some coffee, shined a light at the side and you can see it clearly. Today's plastic containers are so much thinner than they used to be.

This is where the 120 backing paper that I’m always reluctant to throw into the garbage bin comes to play.

Chances are that you will never find a perfectly light tight container, especially not for cheap. Okay, Dollar store cooky boxes made from tin can be great, but their lids will never fit tight

I would simply find any acceptable sized box, including nice wood boxes and flock it with 120 film backing paper.

Guaranteed to be 100% light tight

xkaes said:

Does the container have to be light tight, or could you put the contents in a light tight bag, etc. inside the container?

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that would be my approach. that is the way that 35mm Movie film is shipped and packed. you might want to use two bags with the open ends at opposite sides just as extra protection.

Is this for something like a large roll of film? I think light tight storage containers need a couple of things: a light trap or lip at the opening, and absolutely opaque material. Many plastics fail at the true opacity test (there are quite a few reports of things like 3D printed lensboards that leak in bright light). Especially if your material has extended red sensitivity; there are a lot of black plastics that transmit somewhat from just-beyond-visible to near-infrared. (In my line of work, "light leak from leaky opto-isolator" is very common.)

I think a metal cookie can or similar is one of the better options really, as long as you check the seams are fully soldered or glued shut. Store film in a black bag inside a metal tin, and tape around the outside of the lid so the lid doesn't pop off if you drop if. That's basically how 100-foot 35mm rolls are packaged. Also, you get to eat the cookies.

A metal ammo box with a rubber-sealed lid should block all light. I just checked the seal in mine: It has an impression of the box around the entire perimeter, and I doubt light will get past that. You can buy these by searching for "Metal Ammo Cans" made by "Heritage Security Products". In its list of features, mine says "Gasket-sealed lid with heavy duty latch" (probably to keep water out).

Mark Overton

albada said:

A metal ammo box with a rubber-sealed lid should block all light..... You can buy these by searching for "Metal Ammo Cans" made by "Heritage Security Products".

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Metal Ammo boxes are found at many "surpus outlets" Here it is a stanrd item at Princess auto for example this one:

note that even the miltary surplus ones may be made of Plastic these days. (saves weight on the olde C-130)

Again you may want to add more protection.