rob_barker Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 Most of us are familiar with the convention for using darkslides which dictates that unexposed film is indicated by putting the white side of the slide outermost, while exposed film is indicated by having the black side of the slide outermost. Most holders also give us little pimples on the white side, to help in the darkroom. Some of us go further than this as the slide convention doesn't tell you if the holder itself contains film or is empty. That's where the rubber bands come in. A rubber band stretched round longways can be used to indicate a full holder - it also prevents the slide slipping out by mistake if the little catch flips round. When the holder is left empty, the rubber band is stretched round the holder widthways. Simple! The only problem is that the rubber band doesn't tell you what sort of film is in the holder.. That's where coloured rubber bands come in! I now have a little colour code which I use as follows: White rubber band = Velvia Blue rubber band = Provia Yellow rubber band = Astia Green rubber band = FP4 Red rubber band = Velvia 100F which accounts for 99% of the film that I use. This system is clearly so ingenious it just had to be shared! Happy twanging.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean-louis llech Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 The simplest ideas are often the most brilliant ones. (slide slipping)<br> Thanks..<br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_curry Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 I have yet to find a better system for me than the "Baggie System." I use ziplock bags to hold different types of film in my pack. Each is clearly marked in black magic marker on the outside of the bag. I keep post-it notes handy to write processing notes to myself for a film holder, if the shot needs different than "normal" developing. When I get back, I put them into similar bags until processing time. The baggies help to keep dust, dirt and humidity out of the film when in the field and at home. This climate is brutal, with a fine dust patina settling on everything unless things are wrapped up. tucson, az. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_ellis3 Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 If you keep your holders in baggies the easiest way I've found to indicate whether the holder is empty or is loaded with unexposed film (the black side of the dark slide tells you if it's loaded with exposed film) is to place the holders in the bag with the top of the holder facing up if the holder has no film and facing down if it contains unexposed film (or vice versa, whichever you like). I use only one type of film for 90% of my photographs so on the rare occasions when I load something different I just write the film type in pencil on the holder and rub it off when I'm done. Rob's rubber band idea is ingenious and I'd be tempted to try it if I used as many different films as he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars ake vinberg Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 I use masking tape both for marking and for keeping the darkslide in place. The tape is noted with film type upon loading, and with exposure ID and notes after exposure. One strip on each side, wrapping around to the bottom of the holder. This way I cannot accidentally remove the wrong darkslide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_kasaian1 Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 Great idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph_barker Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 People from my planet use our x-ray vision to detect both the notch code of the film and the latent image on exposed sheets. Unfortunately, the x-rays also fog the film. Damn. Perhaps I'll switch to one of the excellent ideas mentioned here. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian_olivet Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 I use white removable stickers and write down the film and the development needed like N-1, etc. That way I know what I shot and what not. Later they come off as easily as they came on. Don't use non removable stickers thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w. Posted August 16, 2003 Share Posted August 16, 2003 Any truth to the rumour that they're discontinuing the orange rubber bands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted August 17, 2003 Share Posted August 17, 2003 I just write on the white label areas of the film holder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen_whittier Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 I bought a set of 4x5 holders that were already color coded with paint on the edges of the holders. Works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul moshay Posted August 22, 2003 Share Posted August 22, 2003 A lot of fine ideas presented here. Let me tell how I do it. I write the type of film in pencil in the white area of the holder but only on one side. I place the holder, top end up, in a 6mil zip lock baggie. I always shoot the marked side first and turn the dark slide to the black side. After using the second side I place the holder, now with both black slides facing out, in the baggie. If there is any development changes to make, or if I want to note the details of exposure, location, etc, I use a small post-it and place it on the holder in the bag. When the holder is empty I return it to the baggie, but top down. Works fine for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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