Sheet file negative protectors--which ones?

John Kasaian · Nov 2, 2008

Print file has holes to keep them in binders, Vue-all doesn't. Print File are 2x as costly as Vue-all. Both I understand are optically clear enough to be contact printed through (I find that attractive--less handling=less problems?)

I am wondering what the folks here use and why? I'm looking to 'step up' from my glassines.

bdial · Nov 2, 2008

I use Print File, I like them because they are easy to work with. I currently use them for 4x5, and 120. For 35 I ran out of print file pages and bought something else, maybe vue-all. I hate them because they fit the film too closely and it's difficult to get it in and out, compared to my Print File Pages.
Most of my contacts are done through the pages, specifically because of the less handling aspect. Doing that impacts sharpness a bit, and if you do the minium time to max black thing, you have to compensate, as the page adds a slight bit of density.
I have negatives that have been in Print File pages for 20+ years, both the pages and the negatives are fine.

winger · Nov 2, 2008

I use Print File. I do my contact sheets through them and have no major problems. I don't think I've tried other brands.

John Kasaian · Nov 3, 2008

Thanks for the info! I''ve not yet bought into the idea of contact printing with the negative in a sleeve, so the idea of being able to easily remove it gives the nod to Print file.

kodachrome64 · Nov 3, 2008

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8300: BlackBerry8300/4.5.0.55 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I use Print File as well for 35mm and 120. In both formats I buy the sheets that allow all of the frames from the roll; in 35mm I buy the 6 rows of 6 frames and for 6x7 I buy the 4 rows of 3 frames. These are over sized but I find it much more convenient then never being able to fit a whole roll on one sheet. Another advantage of the PF pages over some I have used is the data panel where I can write development information and the serial number for the roll that I assign to it.

Nick

Mark Sawyer · Nov 3, 2008

I use the Print File for my 8x10 negatives, but I have a strong preference for using their print sleeves ("Style No. 810-2P") rather than their 8x10 negative sleeves, as they are made from a thicker material. This gives a little better protection in handling, and makes removal of the negative for printing much easier.

lomomagix · Nov 3, 2008

Has anybody tried contact printing through PrintFile's negative preservers with the extra pocket for the CP? That basically has two layers of material, one for the negatives and the other one for the CP.

http://www.printfile.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=51

PrintFile claims it's okay to contact print through that preserver but does the CP actually come out acceptable?

bdial · Nov 3, 2008

It looks like the layer for the contact sheet is on the upper side, so you would only have an extra layer of plastic between the light source and the negative, and not between the neg and the paper. There is no reason the contact would come out any worse than it would using some other sleeve style. You might need to add some exposure to account for a bit of added density.
A contact made through the neg sleeve will always be slightly soft, but I don't judge a negative's sharpness by looking at the contact sheet.

Peter Schrager · Nov 3, 2008

sleeves

I've been using Light Impressions nega-guard system for about 100 years now...each negative is in it's own wrapper and then placed in a box...works for me
Best, Peter

mjs · Nov 3, 2008

I use Print File for 35mm and 120; glassine sleeves for 4x5 (I have a large quantity of them,) and used to use Print File sleeves for 8x10 but have switched to archival page protectors from the office supply store for 8x10 negatives. Much cheaper, seems to work fine.

Mike

jeroldharter · Nov 3, 2008

For 4x5 negative, I like the Print File sleeves that hold just one negative. That allows me to label the sleeve with less confusion, especially if I have several negative that look similar to one another - easier to keep them straight. I contact print 4 sleeves onto 11x14 RC paper so I have room for the extra real estate of the 4 sleeve edges. I store them in boxes from Light Impressions.

2F/2F · Nov 3, 2008

lomomagix said:
Has anybody tried contact printing through PrintFile's negative preservers with the extra pocket for the CP? That basically has two layers of material, one for the negatives and the other one for the CP.

http://www.printfile.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=51

PrintFile claims it's okay to contact print through that preserver but does the CP actually come out acceptable?

I don't know if they intended this, but these sleeves are the absolute best for squaring up your negs onto the printing paper. You put the unexposed paper in the sleeve and then expose under the enlarger. Quite a time and frustration saver, especially when printing color.

ic-racer · Nov 3, 2008

I use which ever ones take the hanging rods.

Sheet file negative protectors--which ones?

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