reinier_de_vlaam Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I every now and then have the problem that a 4x5 sheet will not come out of the holder and I can't get a grip on it unless using some force. It seems that even though I use the lowered bottem section to get a grip, the sheets wont lift to be extracted. Recently I even left some clear finger marks on the edge of the sheet, that show after processing, before I got it out. Anyone ever have the same problem and how do I solve it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene m Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Sheet film holders are a pain in the ass. I swear that they can do things to film that appear to be physically impossible. Yeah, now and then a sheet gets jammed in a holder for no apparent reason. You stand there in the dark saying curse words. When a sheet jams I set the hoder aside and examine it for problems and never find any. I suppose it's possible that you (we) load them incorrectly but I don't know. I have no advice, I thought you'd feel better knowing other people have problems too. - - Don't get me started on dust............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_walton2 Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I have found that when unloading sheets, a quick blow of air with pursed lips will raise it from the base plate enough and you can grab it with your finger. Always worked for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alec1 Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Take a wasted sheet [all LF users have wasted sheets], cut a strip 2" wide across the bottom of a 4x5 sheet, round one end carefully leavintg no sharp point, then use that end to scoop under the sheet in the holder to get a grip. Got that from an old photographer who, like me, had short-cut fingernails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph_barker Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Yes, sheet film sometimes seems to develop the dreaded static cling syndrome, trying desparately to stay in the warmth and security of the holder. If a fingernail won't fit under the film in the little depression in the holder, Scott's Puff-the-Magic-Drag-out technique always works for me. Just remember to swallow first. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_cardon Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Yep this is a problem. Normally when this happens, I wet my forefinger and press it to the stuck sheet. There's instant adherence between finger and film, and the sheet follows my finger right out of the holder. Now does anybody have a technique for spotting finger print size areas areas? Seriously: 1) Don't nails too short. 2) The idea of inserting a thin strip of film under the sheet in question had worked for me. 3) I'v noticed that the riteway holders are more difficult to work with (tighter tolerances?) than the fidelity ones I've used. RJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capocheny Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Reinier, <p> I think everyone has had the problem you're now experiencing and it isn't much fun trying to dislodge the film from the holder in the dark. <p> An old retired photog once told me that the best way to remove the film under this circumstance is to "lightly" run your fingernail along the edge of the film looking for the film type groove indicators. "Usually" your nail will catch the edge and allow room to bend the film just enough to grasp. I've been using this technique for quite some time and it's always worked for me. <p> Alternatively... if you run into this problem and can't get it dislodged the first time, set it aside and come back to it when you've cooled down a bit. It'll save having to deal with scratch and finger marks down the road after processing. <p> Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob. Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Learn to finger-pick on the guitar... That way you have an incentive to keep the finger nails on one hand nice and long (the right hand if you are right handed, the left if you are sinister)... Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian_olivet Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 After the first try at loading and unloading film I realized two things: 1_ Use the rounded corner or the dark slide to help you raise the film enough for your fingers to fit, especially behind. 2_ With the Fidelity holders (and every brand) make sure that the film goes on the proper slot. Sometimes when I load I feel the the darslide gets tight as I slide it shut, and realize that one or both edges of the film went into the darkslide slot, not the film one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_hawley Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 So far, I've used the finger nail technique getting a hook under one of the film notches. Works, and I keep my nails short. Using the darkslide or a strip of film? Good suggestions and probably more reliable than my short nails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_a._zeichner1 Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I've loaded and unloaded dozens of film holders of various brands and vintages and have never had this problem. I suspect you might have an older style holder with a less obvious finger relief depression to get under the film. The latest Fidelity and Lisco holders all have a circular well that easily allows you to get your nail behind the film. Blowing on the film may inadvertently get saliva droplets on the emulsion. Maybe you could tap the closed holder back and forth to loosen it up? One thing I've come to the conclusion of when working in the dark with film holders is that the more relaxed and least distracted you are, the easier things go. Don't worry, be happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole_tjugen Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Sometimes it helps just turning the holder upside down, so that you unload the film on the lower side first. It find it difficult to get my head into the changing bag to blow on the edge of the film ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reinier_de_vlaam Posted July 31, 2003 Author Share Posted July 31, 2003 Thanks for all the good advice and the knowledge I'm not alone out there ;-) Instead of blowing myself I could use a container compressed air, might do the trick as well. At least I have enough tips when the next b*terd comes along. BTW I hardle ever have any dust on my negs. I useally first clean the holder and have the slide almost full in when I insert the neg. So dust hardly has a chance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_curry Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 I had to use the point of my pocket knife at times, very dangerous for the film. I've finally settled on trimming my index finger nail into a rounded point which is kept about 2mm long. This has never failed me and is always handy. Just slide the nail under the film edge, press the thumb against the pad of the finger which creates a clamp of nail & skin against the film and lift the edge out. Works every time. Caution, when trimming the nail against a saw blade, make sure to trim the nail and not the finger. From a (retired) middle aged cabinetmaker who can still count to 9.95 by ones. tim |-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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