Paper safes

redbandit · Nov 30, 2022

IS anyone interested in showing using photos, exactly HOW the paper safes for sale at freestyle actually "seperate out a single sheet of paper when opened"?

keeping the paper in the envelope and plastic bag is only so enjoyable, and im thinking I should do the paper safe road and ideally imrove my darkroom setup at the same time.

GregY · Nov 30, 2022

I have one that i use up to size 11"x14." Occasionally i'll put a plastic bag of paper in the safe, but typically i put a dozen sheets at a time in there.....or pieces i've cut for test strips. I have no idea how their ad- copy applies...

MattKing · Nov 30, 2022

I absolutely prefer using a paper safe.
The Premier paper safes sold by Freestyle work well for me. They permit one hand operation, which is what I need. Some other options have spring loaded closures, which are difficult for me to use.
I use the 12"x16" size. While I sometimes print that big, I'm usually printing on 11"x14" or smaller.
If I'm printing 8"x10", I'll segment out the space in the paper safe using the top half of empty paper boxes.
You just put a few sheets into them. Then you open and close the lid, as needed. Photographic paper is easy to pull off a pile, one sheet at a time.
There are/were paper safes available that were set up to eject a single sheet when you open a door. I have a couple of them (in storage), and have used them in the past. They are a bit finicky to use and to load with paper, and you have to be careful to ensure that the pads that make contact with the paper are maintained.

mshchem · Dec 1, 2022

redbandit said:
IS anyone interested in showing using photos, exactly HOW the paper safes for sale at freestyle actually "seperate out a single sheet of paper when opened"?

keeping the paper in the envelope and plastic bag is only so enjoyable, and im thinking I should do the paper safe road and ideally imrove my darkroom setup at the same time.

These are the same old Premier clam shell paper safes with a improved closure. The old design has a plastic clip closure, if you aren't careful to snap shut both clips everytime time these old style clips can keep the lid from closing completely, thus fogging paper. Frequently finding these, used, you will find the plastic clips cut off.
These work great, I have several different sizes I have collected over the years.

These have enough room you can take out 10 or 15 sheets and put in the safe. You can slide the paper around enough that pulling out a single sheet isn't too hard.

redbandit · Dec 1, 2022

Features

Holds up to 200 sheets of 8.5 x 11" paper.
No more fussing with frayed cardboard boxes. Touch Fastener secured.
Exclusive "Tilt and Tap" feature fans paper for easy single-sheet removal.
Rugged ABS plastic-no fear of damage from refrigeration or freezing.

says that in all the premier paper safes,,, up 200 sheet capacity and a "tilt and tap" for easy removal of paper.

mshchem · Dec 1, 2022

redbandit said:
Features

Holds up to 200 sheets of 8.5 x 11" paper.

No more fussing with frayed cardboard boxes. Touch Fastener secured.

Exclusive "Tilt and Tap" feature fans paper for easy single-sheet removal.

Rugged ABS plastic-no fear of damage from refrigeration or freezing.

says that in all the premier paper safes,,, up 200 sheet capacity and a "tilt and tap" for easy removal of paper.

Yep. Same as the last 50 years.

Like Matt mentioned, the automatic ones intended to dispense 1 sheet at a time are tricky.

I have a couple old paper safes that are light tight cabinets with shelves and compartments if you can find in good shape these are great.

redbandit · Dec 1, 2022

so if

mshchem said:
Yep. Same as the last 50 years.

Like Matt mentioned, the automatic ones intended to dispense 1 sheet at a time are tricky.

I have a couple old paper safes that are light tight cabinets with shelves and compartments if you can find in good shape these are great.

i get a brand new one, is it going to be a tricky {moderator's edit} to use, or just a nice fun plastic box with a light tight seal

mshchem · Dec 1, 2022

redbandit said:
so if

i get a brand new one, is it going to be a tricky {moderator's edit} to use, or just a nice fun plastic box with a light tight seal

The new version Premier have velcro closures. I still use the old version, and have no problems. Premier, in the old days sold a paper safe about the size of a microwave oven. Black plastic spring loaded door with Masonite shelves inside. Also a company called Brumberger made metal safes with a roll up tambour door, these took some getting used to, doors would catch, but I used one for many years.

MattKing · Dec 1, 2022

redbandit said:
so if

i get a brand new one, is it going to be a tricky {moderator's edit} to use, or just a nice fun plastic box with a light tight seal

Mine is the newer type with velcro. It is durable, smooth on all necessary surfaces, easy to keep clean.
It is easy to open with one hand. It stays open by itself while I insert paper and remove paper and it is easy to close with one hand - all of which is particularly important to me.
It closes easily and securely and it instantly seals against light getting at the paper - no fussing to make sure that it is closed. In short, it is straightforward and intuitive to use.
You can always see immediately if it is open or closed - important because I never turn on the enlarger or the room light before first checking to see that kit is closed. That is an ingrained habit that I recommend you develop.
It is also deep enough that I can store in the safe, at the same time, both the majority of the paper still protected in its light tight envelope and the loose sheets that I have removed - makes for quicker access to more paper when needed.
They are worth the money.

mshchem · Dec 1, 2022

Doran Premier Darkroom Paper Safe with 3 Shelves | eBay

Good used unit as pictured. A flashlight was place inside and checked in a darkened room and no light was found to pass by seals. in most cases. (We do this so we can continue to give you. Estimates are approximate but very close. ).

www.ebay.com

These are great paper safes, spring loaded plastic door. These are fragile if not packed correctly

No connection with seller

mshchem · Dec 1, 2022

MattKing said:
Mine is the newer type with velcro. It is durable, smooth on all necessary surfaces, easy to keep clean.
It is easy to open with one hand. It stays open by itself while I insert paper and remove paper and it is easy to close with one hand - all of which is particularly important to me.
It closes easily and securely and it instantly seals against light getting at the paper - no fussing to make sure that it is closed. In short, it is straightforward and intuitive to use.
You can always see immediately if it is open or closed - important because I never turn on the enlarger or the room light before first checking to see that kit is closed. That is an ingrained habit that I recommend you develop.
It is also deep enough that I can store in the safe, at the same time, both the majority of the paper still protected in its light tight envelope and the loose sheets that I have removed - makes for quicker access to more paper when needed.
They are worth the money.

Perfect description. With this new closure sounds like it is perfect. I use this type of paper safe for color paper, they are perfectly light tight.

Melvin J Bramley · Dec 2, 2022

The Telesar is just a light tight box and is better if you store test strips.
The Restem feeds one sheet at a time and 'was ' better when I did mass production for my daughters school year book.( many many years ago!)
Best to separate the paper as with a deck of cards! before loading to prevent some sheets sticking and don't load too many.
Pulling out one sheet from a package is doomed to have finger fixer stains at some point..

gordrob · Dec 2, 2022

Melvin J Bramley said:
Pulling out one sheet from a package is doomed to have finger fixer stains at some point..

And Murphy's Law will see it happen on one of your best prints. Been there, done that.

drfoxmd · Dec 10, 2022

mshchem said:
Yep. Same as the last 50 years.

Like Matt mentioned, the automatic ones intended to dispense 1 sheet at a time are tricky.

I have a couple old paper safes that are light tight cabinets with shelves and compartments if you can find in good shape these are great.

Agree, Sometimes old school basic paper safe engineering is still the most reliable.

mshchem said:
Yep. Same as the last 50 years.

Like Matt mentioned, the automatic ones intended to dispense 1 sheet at a time are tricky.

I have a couple old paper safes that are light tight cabinets with shelves and compartments if you can find in good shape these are great.

Agree, the old basic paper safes are the easiest to use and reliable.

henryyjjames · Dec 16, 2022

I need to source a paper safe for my college darkrooms. They are annoyingly pricey, though... especially to get them to Ireland.

gone · Dec 16, 2022

Everyone will be different, but I never use one. It's very simple to walk to where the paper is (in it's original plastic bag, and in the box it came in). I then open the box and pull up one side of the bag (it stays in it's box w/ the flap folded under it). Then I pull out one sheet, fold the bag back over, and put the lid back on. At that point it's a doubly safe, paper safe. All this is done w/ my back to the safelight, just in case.

Before printing, I would have already cut up one or two sheets of paper to use as test strips. Those are easy to grab when taking the one sheet out each time.

I use tongs, my hands are always spotless, and have never experienced a stain on the papers. It's surely not a good idea to put your bare hands into chemicals, as most, if not all of them, are absorbed right through your fingertips, and they may never, ever leave your body. At some point they become cumulative, and you will have big problems. But it is a good idea to keep everything really clean so the negative doesn't get mussed up when it's handled.

MattKing · Dec 16, 2022

If you are dealing with students in a group darkroom, you need paper safes!

Chuck_P · Dec 16, 2022

momus said:
Everyone will be different, but I never use one. It's very simple to walk to where the paper is (in it's original plastic bag, and in the box it came in). I then open the box and pull up one side of the bag (it stays in it's box w/ the flap folded under it). Then I pull out one sheet, fold the bag back over, and put the lid back on. At that point it's a doubly safe, paper safe. All this is done w/ my back to the safelight, just in case.

Before printing, I would have already cut up one or two sheets of paper to use as test strips. Those are easy to grab when taking the one sheet out each time.

I use tongs, my hands are always spotless, and have never experienced a stain on the papers. It's surely not a good idea to put your bare hands into chemicals, as most, if not all of them, are absorbed right through your fingertips, and they may never, ever leave your body. At some point they become cumulative, and you will have big problems. But it is a good idea to keep everything really clean so the negative doesn't get mussed up when it's handled.

I used to do the same.........when I got paper safe, it was actually nice not to have to fold the black bag up and then put the box lid back on.......open safe, pull sheet, close. It's not a huge difference, but a nice one.

faberryman · Dec 16, 2022

I guess I am the odd man out. I don't have a paper safe and have never felt the need for one. How hard is it to open the box and take a sheet of paper out of the plastic envelope? How much time are you going to shave off your darkroom session by using a paper safe? When I was a student, we supplied our own paper, so a paper safe was useless. I guess if someone else is supplying the paper for the group, having a communal paper safe would be handy. You would certainly get your steps in for the day walking over to the paper safe every time you needed a sheet of paper. And where do you put your test strips? Probably in a plastic envelope in a paper box next to your enlarger.

MattKing · Dec 16, 2022

I'm basically a 1.5 handed photographer - limited strength and dexterity in my right hand - so paper safes make a big difference to me.
I sometimes print multiple copies of prints - e.g. the postcard exchange - so a paper safe that holds both the unexposed and the exposed sheets at the same time (in separate box tops) makes a huge difference in speed and efficiency.
When I'm not working at home, I usually take my paper safe with me to our group's shared darkroom, where the potential for accidentally exposing paper is considerably higher than when working alone.
They really add to the efficiency in a darkroom, and they add a bit to the (paper) safety as well - particularly if you buy 50 or 100 or 250 sheet boxes of paper.

Sirius Glass · Dec 16, 2022

I have a paper safe that I only put in enough paper for that day's work plus some extra.

GregY · Dec 16, 2022

I can't remember if i paid $10 for my paper safe or got it for free. But fabberyman, not all boxes are created equal. The latch on mine is long gone broken, but it's super convenient. Sits right under my enlarger. i can load it with a variety of paper....most often it's home to scraps for test strips.... especially when printing 16x20 or 20x24 prints. Nice if i'm printing multiples..... i can stack the exposed paper until it's time to process them. It's safe, convenient and a time saver.

DREW WILEY · Dec 16, 2022

I own lots of basic Doran paper safes : 8x10, 11X14, 16X20, 20X24, clear up to 30x40 inch capacity. Prefer the older style clip closure; it's more reliable than velcro. Don't have any of the kind with shelves.

redbandit · Dec 17, 2022

DREW WILEY said:
I own lots of basic Doran paper safes : 8x10, 11X14, 16X20, 20X24, clear up to 30x40 inch capacity. Prefer the older style clip closure; it's more reliable than velcro. Don't have any of the kind with shelves.

The person who can afford to buy 30x40 paper,, isnt a person who has to SHARE a darkroom. They can afford their own.

Can almost say the same thing about some brands of 16x20 paper

Chuck_P · Dec 17, 2022

DREW WILEY said:
I own lots of basic Doran paper safes : 8x10, 11X14, 16X20, 20X24, clear up to 30x40 inch capacity. Prefer the older style clip closure; it's more reliable than velcro. Don't have any of the kind with shelves.

I'm in the process of getting my darkroom reignited after 10 yrs......the Doran safes with the clip style are what I sold, now they're not available, even on ebay last I checked.

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