Triple boxes

ron3865 · Jul 2, 2008

I'm not quite sure where this topic should go...hope this is the right place.
Does anyone know where I can get a film box for 4x5 to 8x10 sheet film? I have to send out for processing and I haven't come up with a good way of shipping a few sheets of film. I tried a small USPS Priorty box taped up and put in an envelope with instructions not to open in the light but the lab did otherwise. Maybe they thought there was a triple box in the USPS box.

Is there a way I can mail exposed film and get it into processing in good shape?

Pinholemaster · Jul 2, 2008

Talk to local commercial shooters who use large format, or your processing lab. I know I usually end up with extras. I've got a stack of 8x10 boxes in my office. I think they mate. HA!

BradS · Jul 2, 2008

First off, welcome to APUG. The usual way is to send film in a film box as you have correctly assumed. There are several easy ways to get a box.

1) ask. Most folks who've been shooting LF for a while have LOTS.
2) buy two boxes of film and put all the unexposed film in one box and use the other for shipping to the lab. The ten sheet boxes of color slide film will easily hold twenty sheets and will actually hold close to fourty if you ditch the inner envelope.

May I suggest that you add you location to you profile information. It helps folk who may be local to your area.

Monophoto · Jul 2, 2008

Another (more expensive) option is to purchase empty boxes. Light Impressions sell them.

ron3865 · Jul 3, 2008

Thanks for the tips!

agGNOME · Jul 3, 2008

If you have a local lab they should take your film holders without issue. If you can wait several days for delivery I'll send you a 4x5 10 sheet box; send me a pm if you're interested.

Jeff Bannow · Jul 3, 2008

Monophoto said:
Another (more expensive) option is to purchase empty boxes. Light Impressions sell them.

Interesting - I always wondered if someone would do so. Do you happen to remember what they call them?

It would be nice if someone made some kind of plastic safe, like a paper safe but for 4x5 film. Maybe lined inside to keep the film unscratched. I'm dreaming though ....

cmacd123 · Jul 8, 2008

ron3865 said:
I have to send out for processing and I haven't come up with a good way of shipping a few sheets of film. I tried a small USPS Priorty box taped up and put in an envelope with instructions not to open in the light but the lab did otherwise. Maybe they thought there was a triple box in the USPS box.

Is there a way I can mail exposed film and get it into processing in good shape?

Film in a dark lightproof bag with an envelope inside the Postal Box. that way they Know the nevelope is "open in darkroom only.

The movie folks put exposed film in a black bag and stick that in a film can with is taped all around. the lab returns them with the tape vertical to indicate the film has now been processed. a 400Ft film can is 7 inches and might take a 4X5 the metal would definatly protect the film in transit. I would use masking tape on the inner Black Plastic bag just to be sure.

Mike Wilde · Jul 9, 2008

too bad I am so far away

I was walking home two nights ago, and it was trash put out night.

Someones's cardboard part of the recycling pile caught my eye; that old yellow father's color scheme. I dragged home about 20 empty triple 4x5 50 sheet boxes, and one 8x10 25 sheet box. All once held transparency stock; about half daylight, half tunsten balanced, with the odd box for ektachome dupe and vericolor dupe as well.

They were labelled, as it tumed out. Some commercial photographer last used them about 9 years ago to send out sample 4x5 chromes to ad agencies around town. The boxes I had were for his file copies of what he had sent to them. That must have been an expensive sample lot to run.

I might make a habit of going for a walk on trash night past this house more often.

Jeff Bannow · Jul 9, 2008

Nice. I can't find empty 4x5 boxes to save my life around here. I'm starting to get a bit desperate myself.

wildbill · Jul 9, 2008

I started a thread on this about a year ago asking if the film manufacturers would sell empty boxes, would people buy them. I thought it was a good idea but i got every other suggestion you could imagine regarding things i could put my film in. Ilford and Kodak already have the boxes, why not sell them empty?

cmacd123 · Jul 10, 2008

I suspect that it is the same old problem with a lot of things. the cost to distribute the item is all out of proportion to the value of the enpty box. They would probaly have to charge at least a 1/3 of the cost of a box of film to sell them, and have to design and print a special label so they were not used to sell dodgy film as genuine.

That in fact was the inspiration for my reference to movie cans, those you can get - Kodak does sell them empty for about 3-5 bucks US plus shipping from the Kodak MP Film ordering line.. In that case they are about the only way to send a roll safely. (Ilford used to sell their MP film in cardboard boxes- but I think everyone else uses cans) You can also find them used on E-bay and the like. The current ones are Grey or Gold finished inside and out to protect the film from direct exposure to the stell as that has been idntified as a factor in Vinigar Syndrome. 4X5 sheet film should just fit in a 7 Inch can which the movie folks will call a 400Ft size, (film sheet diagonal should be 6.41 Inches)

In any case the Black Plastic bag is the KEY element, and One of the Photo accesories folks does sell those.

J and C photo had some empty boxes listed but of course they have "left the building"

bobwysiwyg · Jul 10, 2008

Not exactly a giveaway.. but

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Triple boxes

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