Survey: In-the-field film loading strategies

Sparky · May 29, 2007

I was just curious about how others deal with their film loading 'in the field' - I suppose this is only really applicable to those of us who use sheet film. I've always found changing bags to be a real dust nightmare and pretty much STOPPED using them about as quickly as I started.

But I was thinking about this recently - when reading an interview with Richard Misrach - he had this old van which he'd modified to be totally light-tight and did all his film loading in there - which is great when you're REALLY off the beaten path.

My current operating strategy is to find a local gas station or other convenience - and gaffer tape the hell out of the cracks in the door from the inside - clean off a working surface (I'll usually carry some kind of clean board or mini-counter from which to work) and go to it. I can usually get the whole thing down to under ten minutes - so I don't cause so much inconvenience to others. It also works in hotel rooms, of course.

Anyone else have any interesting approaches?

jmdavis · May 29, 2007

For 8x10 a normal sized Harrison Tent, for 4x5 and 5x7 a photoflex changing room. I always carry a small vacuum with me to make sure that they and my holders are regularly cleaned.

I have changed film in hotel room bathrooms, but I actually prefer the freedom of working with the tent.

Mike

Vaughn · May 29, 2007

I was using a changing bag (4x5's) in the lobby of the Bright Angle Lodge (Grand Canyon) and started to get funny looks by the staff. Finally a bellboy came over to see what was going on. I was tempted to tell him that I was just shooting up and to please leave me alone.

The easiest was traveling in my small pick-up with a campershell. I'd cover the windows, lay out a clean bedsheet I kept just for the purpose, and change my 8x10's that way. I usually camped where there were no other people nor lights.

Vaughn

Curt · May 29, 2007

Changing room, and I have never had a problem with my changing bag that is old and used but I keep it in a plastic bag as not to get it dirty. The changing room has eliminated the use of a bag because of the room in it and the comfort of not having it get hot during use.

Curt

Curt · May 29, 2007

The easiest was traveling in my small pick-up with a campershell. I'd cover the windows, lay out a clean bedsheet I kept just for the purpose, and change my 8x10's that way. I usually camped where there were no other people nor lights.

... shoot up in there?

HerrBremerhaven · May 29, 2007

This might not be something you want to consider, but I use exclusively Kodak Readyloads and Fuji Quickloads. Obviously, this is a 4x5 only solution with somewhat limited film choices. The good thing is avoiding dust problems. Bad things are anything from more care to avoid jambs, and higher cost. Another good thing is light weight for a large number of exposures.

Now if only Ilford would do a run of HP5+ in either quick packet system, I might be even happier about these. Of course, 8x10 would be nice too, though I doubt packet systems will ever happen there.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

Monophoto · May 29, 2007

My first choice is the bathroom of the motel/hotel. Shove a towel or two under the door, and then check that there is no leakage around the door. Helps to wait until evening, and turn off the lights in the main part of the room.

One problem with this is that if the counter in the bathroom is a molded one-piece unit, it is very easy for things to slip off the counter and into the sink. And Murphy's law says that there will be a few drops of water in the sink, and the think that will slip into the basin is the stack of unexposed film. And that there will be interleaving paper that will wick the water between the sheets of film, sticking the paper to the emulsion. Aarghh!

I have also used a changing bag, but I have to admit that the combination of dust and the fact that there isn't a lot of room to maneuver holders, boxes of film, etc. makes that a really unattractive alternative.

Sparky · May 29, 2007

Just put a towel in the sink maybe..? But yeah - I've had the same problems with bags. I usually end up turning over my box of film and having it go all over the place.

BradS · May 29, 2007

I too prefer to use the bathroom in the hotel/motel but, it is always tough to find a clean dry surface upon which to work. I have sat in the tub before.

Sometimes there just isn't a motel bathroom...I once spent a week on a small boat in the middle of the pacific. I loaded and unloaded my film holders every night before bed in a changing bag in the dining room on that trip. Dust wasn't much of a problem there but humidity was.

Sparky · May 29, 2007

Vaughn said:
II was tempted to tell him that I was just shooting up and to please leave me alone.

Just tell them you're a terrorist and it's a bomb! LOL. Well - guess it probably wouldn't go over all that well..!

David A. Goldfarb · May 29, 2007

I've always been able to manage in a bathroom or closet wherever I'm traveling. If I were doing overnight backpacking trips with the LF camera, I'd use a changing tent.

roteague · May 29, 2007

Fuji QuickLoads. Need I say more?

Roger Hicks · May 29, 2007

David A. Goldfarb said:
I've always been able to manage in a bathroom or closet wherever I'm traveling. If I were doing overnight backpacking trips with the LF camera, I'd use a changing tent.

Ah... a closet LF user....

Cheers,

R.

Vaughn · May 29, 2007

Sparky said:
Just tell them you're a terrorist and it's a bomb! LOL. Well - guess it probably wouldn't go over all that well..!

Actually, the time in the lobby was about 1982 or so. I think we were still worried about nuclear mutally assured destruction back then instead of terrorists and relatively little tiny bombs.

Don't think I'd make any jokes about being a terrorists these days -- the authorities have little sense of humor about all that...and Park Service Law Enforcement Officers tend to have this desire to prove that they really are cops....and not just park rangers with guns.

Vaughn

DannL · May 29, 2007

Drugstores and minilabs use these small light-proof changing boxes that have arm sleeves similar to changing bags but the box is solid plastic. I picked one up at a thrift store, but maybe these can be found on the market at a reasonable price. Mine is about the size of a plastic US Postal crate. Just enough room inside to keep you frustrated during the entire film changing process. Mine also has a beer bottle opener in the base. I still think that's a strange place for bottle opener. I have to turn the changing box upsidedown to use the damn thing.

I suppose they're called changing boxes . . . but I thought someone once called it a "minilab" also.

MattKing · May 29, 2007

DannL said:
Drugstores and minilabs use these small light-proof changing boxes that have arm sleeves similar to changing bags but the box is solid plastic. I picked one up at a thrift store, but maybe these can be found on the market at a reasonable price. Mine is about the size of a plastic US Postal crate. Just enough room inside to keep you frustrated during the entire film changing process. Mine also has a beer bottle opener in the base. I still think that's a strange place for bottle opener. I have to turn the changing box upsidedown to use the damn thing.

I suppose they're called changing boxes . . . but I thought someone once called it a "minilab" also.

Beer bottle opener (of the right type) = really good 35mm cassette opener.

Matt

Sparky · May 29, 2007

Vaughn said:
Actually, the time in the lobby was about 1982 or so. I think we were still worried about nuclear mutally assured destruction back then instead of terrorists and relatively little tiny bombs.

Actually - I've already got experience being pegged with that label!! LOL. That was back in 87 or so, IIRC..!

smieglitz · May 29, 2007

That sure beats "the dog ate my negatives" excuse I hear every once in awhile.

Vaughn · May 29, 2007

Sparky said:
Actually - I've already got experience being pegged with that label!! LOL. That was back in 87 or so, IIRC..!

Whoa...that sure beats the "My dog ate my homework" routine! What a bummer. Some students leave their negatives here at the university every year -- I keep them for several years before tossing them out...really hate to do it. I have had a student or two come back a year or so later asking me "Do you by any chance find some negatives...?"

Left-over prints get recycled almost immeadiately.

Vaughn

Sparky · May 29, 2007

actually - the problem is 'dog ate my negatives' is way more believable..!! I was just on my way in to start a mammoth printing session, too! The REALLY weird thing about it was - the print file pages were in PERFECT condition after the detonation...! But the negs were just CHARRED!

MurrayMinchin · May 29, 2007

While hiking or camping I use one of those cheap (and light) rubberized black nylon changing bags with opposing zippers and black fabric on the inside. I use mine inside out because the fabric just pukes little fibres all over the place.

After unloading my holders I turn the bag right side out to give it a good shake, then turn it inside out again before loading. When loading film I also pull up the darkslide as little as possible and sneak the film underneath...just incase a speck is headed for my film.

Bummer way to make the news!

Murray

eclarke · May 29, 2007

Harrison tent or towel under the door of the bathroom (midnight)..EC

Curt · May 29, 2007

interleaving paper

I might be off but who invented this crap? It's one for me, one for you, one for me, one for you. I can't stand that stuff.

There was a time when it wasn't used, remember? How green, I am not a tree hugger, can that paper be. Am I the only one?

It's also great in a changing bag! Time for a nap.

Vaughn · May 29, 2007

Curt said:
I might be off but who invented this crap? It's one for me, one for you, one for me, one for you. I can't stand that stuff.

There was a time when it wasn't used, remember? How green, I am not a tree hugger, can that paper be. Am I the only one?

It's also great in a changing bag! Time for a nap.

If Kodak used it, it would have saved a lot of my negs in New Zealand (2000 miles on a bicycle + lots of rain + film rubbing together = high humidity static discharges).

Other use -- emergency toilet paper!

Who uses it now -- Ilford quit years back.

Vaughn

MurrayMinchin · May 29, 2007

Vaughn said:
If Kodak used it, it would have saved a lot of my negs in New Zealand (2000 miles on a bicycle + lots of rain + film rubbing together = high humidity static discharges).

In six months of sea kayaking I didn't get one scratched negative. I keep exposure information on glassine negative sleeves, then notch the glassines edge to indicate what development that sheet should get. This way all the negatives get fired into one box, and it's easy to seperate them when I get home.

Then again, a kayak isn't quite as bouncy as a bicycle

Murray

Survey: In-the-field film loading strategies

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Survey: In-the-field film loading strategies

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