4X5 FILM HOLDER TAPE

I have a few (10) wood 4x5 film holders in need of re-taping. When I hold the opend hinge up to a light bulb I can see pin holes. But I've not yet experienced any light fogging. Any suggestions for the best brand to look for?

Some use book binding tape, but I have yet to find something that

beats Bogen cloth gaffer's tape. This stuff is stickier than the

regular Permacel gaffer's tape and wears very well. I re-taped all

of my 8x10 holders with the stuff and it works wonderfully.

I asked about this at Calumet and they sold me a roll of their

gaffers' tape. Provided you get all the old stuff off there, it

works great and seems to be perect for this. Don't forget that

pinholes when you have it open don't necessarily equal a light leak.

With film in it, the hinge is closed with a light trap in the way of

light that might come through the tape. Provided the tape is strong

enough to hold the flap securely you probably don't have anything to

worry about. If the old tape is not in shreds, you can cut an

appropriate strip of gaffers' tape and put it over the old tape.

This works fine provided you trimmed it so that it doesn't interfere

with the backset of the slide from the camera.

Try naphtha or lighter fluid to remove the goo from the old tape.

It's safe for most wood finishes (maybe not French polish, but I doubt

there are any French polished filmholders).

I'll give a second to the gaffer's tape. I put it on some wax paper

and used the old tape I removed as a template for cutting.

As Kevin mentioned, the tape alone does not make the light trap in

the hinge. Examine closely and you will see a baffle system such

that all the tape must do is ensure the 2 surfaces mate. I would

not be concerned about light leaks if all you see is pinholes when

the hinge is opened. If the tape is so frayed that it does not

shut tightly, it would definitely need to be replaced.

I had light leak problems that were corrected by replacing the

original tape with gaffers tape on my holders. There were pinholes

on the tape and also short areas where the tape had worn through at

the crease of the outer most edges. I think that the wear on the

outer edges was probably where the problem was. Rather than fret

about whether this is or isn't the problem, I would think it would be

worth the $10 investment in tape to see if that helps.

A good material for removing adhesive residue is bug and tar remover

available from auto supply stores. It doesn't work on all types of

adhesive, but most. Be careful and test first on plastics as it will

affect some. In general, however, it works very well.

 

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I think B&H sells tape specifically for film holders. Try their

website.