So I exposed the wrong side...

[mattk]

Well, I just couldn't wait to try the new to me Tachihara 4x5 I just got from another APUG member. Loaded the holders the wrong way--can I salvage the film or would enough light have passed to reach the emulsion on the other side? Before I pulled the film thought I would ask. Also, how are you folks dring your 4x5 film? I an trying to crip a small corner to hang but thought there might be a better way. Simmons' book is on its way so hopefully I won't have to many of these screw ups.

Matt

 

[glbeas]

Heh, welcome to the foibles of LF! We've all done that and more. You might try push processing the neg, it will certainly have too much exposure to try another shot. Use a clothsline with film clips or clothespins to hang the film till dry.

 

[richard ide]

Exposing through the back requires about 5x the normal exposure depending on the film type and colour of the antihalation back coat.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Depending on how much space you have and how much film you shoot, you can just hang them up by the corner with a clothespin, or if you need to fit a lot of film into a small space, particularly if you go larger than 4x5", then Jobo film clips are the best. They pierce the film so they will hold any size sheet with no risk of dropping the film, contact area is minimal, and the film hangs perpendicular to the drying line, so you can fit a lot of film in a small area. The only downside is the cost, which is about $55 for a pack of 10 last I checked.

 

[John Kasaian]

Your loaded film should have the notches in the upper right or the lower left corners when the emulsion side is facing you. If you have a notches in the lower left, you can identify the film in the dark by droping the loading flap in the dark should I forget which emulsion you've loaded. Whether or not you film can be salvaged "depends." Try it and see.

To dry negatives I string some cothes line in the shower or over the tub or sink (depending on how many negatives I have) and hang them up by one corner with ordinary clothespins after a dip in a tray of distilled water with a drop of photo-flo.

I hope this helps!

 

[JLP]

Did the exact same thing first time i was out with my 4x5 Developed without knowing and the neg turned out fine. In case it varies from one film to another this was Fortepan 200
I dry mine as John, use Yankee's yellow clips. They work fine with 4x5 but i don't think they will hold anything larger.


jan

 

[jimgalli]

You're baptised already! Try again.

 

[wclavey]

For the exposure of the wrong side, I cannot add any advice - - that is probably the only mistake in the book I have not made.

For drying, I have a recommendation, though. I do not have a lot of room to dry so I purchased 4 skirt hangars (plastic hangars, swivel hook and a metal rod with the 2 sliding clothes-pin-like clips) and several packs of generic metal project clips with the black rubber (or latex-dipped)tips...actually, I stole the first hangar from my wife's closet for the prototype. The project clips have a hole in one of the top ends and I attached them to the metal hangar rods with keychain ring, 2/rod.

Since I often develop 6x6 and 4x5 in the same session, I put the 6x6 in the clips that come on the skirt hangars, with an additional project clip at the bottom to hold it straight) and I put the 4x5 on the project clips. The rubber tips are small enough that they can grip the 4x5 on the edge where the film holder left no exposure and they have enough traction not to drop the film.

I made 4 of these and I can dry upto 8 6x6 rolls or 8 4x5 sheets or various combinations on the shower curtain rod in the bathroom. And here in Houston, film dries quickly.

 

[Anupam Basu]

Exposing through the back requires about 5x the normal exposure depending on the film type and colour of the antihalation back coat.

That is about 2 1/3 stops - so extend the developing time just as you would with pushed film. You should get usable if not quite perfect images - better then just chucking them.

-Anupam

 

[BrianShaw]

For the exposure of the wrong side, I cannot add any advice - - that is probably the only mistake in the book I have not made.

I used to say this... until last week when I somehow loaded one sheet correctly and the second sheet backward. Now I keep reiminding myself "do not rush; do not rush..."