Negs: single or strip?

Theo43

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Are there advantages/disadvantages to having your negatives (6x6) in strips of 3-4 as opposed to being cut into individual pieces when using them in an enlarger? Thanks
Ted
 
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grahamp

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It is a lot easier to handle strips than single frames. Unless you are using sheet film, I can't see a good reason for single frames. Typically one would keep 35mm in groups of 6, 120 in anything from 1 (6x12), 2 (6x9), 3 (6x7,6x6) and 4 (6x4.5). If I have less than a set I include some unexposed film to make the strip as long as possible. The lengths are really dictated by the size of a filing sheet, and the ease of contact printing a single film on something around 8x10" paper.

A single frame is easier to drop, harder to handle without getting finger prints on the film, and much harder to align in the negative carrier.

I would not keep roll film in one uncut roll either. That is guaranteed to cause scratches and the roll is hard to control.

If you already have single frames, that's what you have. But I would consider using strips in the future.


-Graham
 

Bob Carnie

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I use glass carriers and prefer single negatives, easier to handle and clean, as well organize later in a sleeve with all the other winners.
 

Poohblah

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Yes, if you have a 5x7 enlarger you can enlarge 3 negatives at once
 

ann

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you could also put a single frame in a slide film holder for easier use; however, this also means a special negative holder
 

David Brown

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ann said:
you could also put a single frame in a slide film holder for easier use; however, this also means a special negative holder
Click to expand...

I actually considered doing that with 35mm (I have the holder), but since 95% of my stuff is now 120, it sorta never happened.
 

Mainecoonmaniac

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I like to keep my life simple. By keeping my 120 negs in strips. There's more work in cutting the negs into individual frames, file and store them. If you have a curly neg, it's easier to put in a carrier for enlargement.
 

Sirius Glass

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135 in strips of 6
120 6x6 in strips of 4
Sheet film individually

Steve
 

Ian Grant

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Unlike Bob Carnie I find printing negatives cut individually a real pain, the neg carriers for my Dursts and De Vere are far easier to use with strips, and i don't like glass in the carriers, well at least not the top part. But it's what suits you. Neg file availability dictates 4 strips of 3 frames for 6x6.

Ian
 

Bob Carnie

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I guess I am the single voice against strips.

I would never consider printing without glass carrier , dead nut in the center of the bulb, lens blades axis.
I have even found problems with one glass on top only.

There are glass holders that can accomodate strips, and if you have big sheet's of glass then you do not need to cut.
I do not even see how one would print large prints without glass, without neg popping .

just me I guess.
 

Q.G.

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Bob Carnie said:
I guess I am the single voice against strips.

I would never consider printing without glass carrier , [...]
just me I guess.
Click to expand...

In liking glass carriers?
No.

But - as you say - there are glass carriers that can accommodate strips, and i don't think such thingies are rare.
I never needed to cut strips down to single frames to be able to use a glass carrier. Strips are easier to handle, So strips for me (4 strips of 3 for 6x6 for me).
 

MattKing

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At the risk of heresy...

The decision between strips and single negs may also be influenced by whether you scan negatives as well as printing them.

The film holder in my medium format scanner won't let me scan the middle negative in a strip of 3 6x7 negatives.
 

MattKing

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Sirius Glass

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I never cut my sheet film negatives apart. Do you?
 

Q.G.

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You need a different scanner then.
 
OP
OP

Theo43

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After having a roll developed in which the negatives were cut individually, on the next roll I asked for no cutting. The entire strip was placed in a sleeve and then wound into a tight circle; thus, the sleeve kinked in many places and imparted kinks to the negative strip. The negatives are not badly damaged but I don't want this to happen again. Henceforth I will specify 4 strips of 3 negatives. I won't set up my enlarger (C700) until I have accumulated a reasonable number of good negatives; for sure I will have plenty of poor ones to practice with when the time comes. Anyway, thanks to everyone who offered comments.
Ted
 

Jack Fisher

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Negative Strips

If you are into making contact proof sheets in the darkroom, It is much easier to handle negative strips rather than individual negative images under the proof negative holder.
 
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