Stupid film holder question...

[tim k]

I've been trying to come up with a reason why that wouldn't work. I've got nothing, but give me a little time, I'll figure a way to mess that up.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I've been trying to come up with a reason why that wouldn't work. I've got nothing, but give me a little time, I'll figure a way to mess that up.

The advantage of 4"x5" photography is that without the hardware interlocks of 35mm and 120 film cameras there are many more creative ways to screw up a photograph. With a slight lack of diligence I am sure that you too can find innovative was to screw it up. Enjoy!

 

[tim k]

Apologies to the OP.

 

[Dr Croubie]

Black side is also empty. Better to try to develop film from empty holders than to shoot film that isn't there

Even though I'm apparently 'wrong' with the way I mark my shot and unshot sides (not that it matters, I never learnt from a class and don't work with others so noone'll mess up my film), I've got an easy way to tell if it's empty (you know, besides putting it in the dark bag and feeling around).
When it's loaded (shot or unshot), the hooks preventing you from pulling the darkslide are in place (also helps you stop rushing, slow down and check that everything else is in place, like shutter closed and cocked).
When the holder is empty, the hooks are in the 'open' position (and the darkslide is in the 'unshot' way out). Also, I have different shelves in different rooms for loaded and unloaded (4x5, polaroid, and rollfilm backs).

 

[Axle]

They need a third side, for empty. How do you smart guys do that?

If a holder is empty...I don't 'lock' the darkslides, leaving the locking brackets parallel with the slides, if there's film in the holders, the brackets are up, locking the slides in place.

Other people leave the rear tabs up and the slides under them, but I've found that causes too much stress on the plastic.

Again, find a system that works for you, and stick with it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If a holder is empty...I don't 'lock' the darkslides, leaving the locking brackets parallel with the slides, if there's film in the holders, the brackets are up, locking the slides in place.

I also store the empty ones in a different place.

 

[WayneStevenson]

As you can tell, there is a standard way of doing it. White is very visible and easier to locate when looking for an unexposed sheet while shooting. The tactile dots will tell you in the dark whether white is out (unexposed) or black (exposed).

As a habit, I never open a film holder unless I'm in my darkroom or in a dark bag. Unless I am completely certain that there is nothing inside. I store loaded (exposed and unexposed) as well as empty in three different places. So if it's in any other place that those three, I am uncertain and I will have to check it. Luckily everything is stored in my darkroom so it's just a matter of reaching up and turning my light off and quickly checking. Perhaps not so convenient for others.

 

[ambaker]

They need a third side, for empty. How do you smart guys do that?

Ah... The empty one has a piece of tape on it, and upon the tape is the word empty. Checked it out, and it is...


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