4x5 film holder. Do they all scratch the film?

[m_onochrome]

I am trying out a 4x5 camera fot the first time using a film holder

made of plastic. I think it's a pain in the a$$ to take the film in

and out(especially out) and I am noticing small scratches on the

emulsion. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

[john lehman, college alask]

I have yet (in 40 years) to have a 4x5 holder which scratched the film (or which posed a problem in inserting or removing film). You may have a defective holder, or may be suffering from operator error. If you can find someone experienced with how to use 4x5, you might make sure you are doing it correctly.

[johnmarkpainter]

Captain,

 

Don't sweat it....it's a Pain just like it was a pain the first time I loaded a Rollei....the first

(and second) time I loaded a Leica M3....you get the idea.

 

Try to read some books & internet instructions for tips and then just do it a couple

hundred times.

 

jmp

[matt_needham]

What brand of holder are you using? I bought some cheap plastic holders and they were awful. I think the name was Tiltall, or something like that. Very difficult to load.

 

I've never had a problem with Riteway or Fidelity.

[m_onochrome]

They are made of plastic. Even in daylight when practicing its a pain to get them out. I think I will change brand.

Thanks so much.

El Capitan

[pat_wilson1]

It takes getting used to, as someone already said. Here is how I do it. Pull both darkslides out not all the way, take some compressed air, blow inbetween the darkslides, blow each opening of the film holder, and I clean them like this every so often. Then in the dark I pull (not all the way out) one darkslide, hold the holder in my left hand, use my fingers to hold down the flap at the end, and use my right hand to put the film in.

 

I think that the scratches are coming from your development. I was having scratch issues and I thought it might be the holder because I was being very careful during development. It turns out that I was not being as careful during washing (oops) and that's where the scratches came from.

[oskar_ojala]

Haven't had a problem with the standard Fidelity/Lisco/whatever holders. Scratches on the emulsion side sounds odd. I usually get my scratches when developing the film in a tray :-) (my lab gives me scratch-free slides)

[tedharris]

I can't respond to possible problems with thin holders such as Modo. However,

scratches on the emulsion side of the film are impossible with film properly loaded

into any of the standard Lisco, Fidelity or Riteway holders; there is a small space

between the darkslide and the film.

 

OTOH if you want to avoid the hassle of dust and loading probblms then use

Quickloads and Redyloads. You will reduce weight, eliminate dust problems and get

rid of the hassle. This does come at an added cost for the film and a reduction in the

number of available emulsions.

[glenn_thoreson]

Cleanliness, practice, practice, practice. More cleanliness and one slightly long fingernail to get under the film will help in removing it.

[scott_walton2]

At least, get yourself some canned air and blow the holders out... and your

darkslides too. When unloading, I pull the darkslide and gently blow air

holding the film holder at an angle and having my finger ready to grab the film

and the film will seperate from the base of the holder a fraction of an inch. This

is enough to get your finger tip under to grab the film.