Opening film packets without generating lint

[Struan Gray]

OK. I admit it. Autodidacts have the worst possible instructors.

Has anyone found a clean, lint-free way to open a film packet in a changing bag? I have found solutions to every other practical LF problem by myself (or searching here :-), but this one has me stumped.

I am reluctant to have a scalpel or guillotine in the bag with my tender fingers. I have used scissors, but they're not perfect. Tearing is right out. Is there some clever way to prise apart the package without getting paper fibres everywhere?

The lack of 50-sheet boxes just rubs salt into the wound.

[Richard Mahoney]

Dear Struan,


I am reluctant to have a scalpel or guillotine in the bag with my tender fingers. I have used scissors, but they're not perfect. Tearing is right out. Is there some clever way to prise apart the package without getting paper fibres everywhere?

Ditto about a scalpel blade. And yes, for a while I used scissors as well, but eventually dropped them as they really were a pain. So now I just find the nick, or don't find it, and tear. Still, I haven't noticed an increase in rubbish on the film since beginning to tear. If you don't mind me asking, then, why is tearing out of the question?


Kind regards,

Richard

[Struan Gray]

...why is tearing out of the question?

I find paper fibres all over the inside of the changing bag. Not masses, but enough to make we want to find A Better Way (tm).

[Stoogley]

Haven't tried this, but...
What about one of those promotional letter openers?
It's a chunk of plastic (with the company name on it) and a razor blade embedded safely within. You just put what you want to slide in the opening and pull it thru.

[bobwysiwyg]

I routinely use children's craft scissors in the dark bag whether opening a film pack or trimming the leader off 35mm for loading. They are metal, but short and have rounded tips. No problems thus far.

[David R Munson]

Haven't tried this, but...
What about one of those promotional letter openers?
It's a chunk of plastic (with the company name on it) and a razor blade embedded safely within. You just put what you want to slide in the opening and pull it thru.

I like this idea. One of these, right?
https://www.my-accessories.co.uk/media/gbu0/prodlg/letter-opener-cz02-black.jpg

[Stoogley]

Yup, that's it.

[Oren Grad]

Use Ilford sheet film - there's no paper packet to rip or cut open.

Or get an empty Ilford sheet film box from someone who uses it, open your other-brand film packet in the darkroom and transfer the stack of film to the Ilford plastic bag + box for carrying in the field.

[dave_whatever]

Or use Fuji film, it comes in a plastic packet.

[Bruce Watson]

I use one of these (http://www.rei.com/product/403028/swiss-army-classic-knife). The smallest Swiss Army knife I've found. The tiny scissors are just the ticket for opening film bags in a changing tent. I've done it over and over and over without problems.

[Douglas Henderson]

I found the old Kodak paper envelopes deteriorate with use and start shedding white flakes. If I want to continue using the envelopes for loading exposed film, I put black photo tape over the torn paper edges.

Newer films seem to have better, plastic envelopes. I wish someone sold plastic envelopes as well as new, empty 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 film boxes.

[Brian C. Miller]

How about small scissors for beard trimming? There are small sizes. I got mine in a cheap kit years ago.

[Struan Gray]

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. My current least bad solution is a pair of blunt-ended but reasonably sharp children's scissors, but I like the thought of an enclosed-blade cutter.


Douglas: among the very best incidental gadgets I have bought for LF have been triple-shell film boxes in ABS from Mike Walker (www.walkercameras.com). They used to be listed among the accessories on his website, but no longer. It can't hurt to ask though.

[Mark Sampson]

My solution has been simple for decades; remove the foil packet after opening it. The two sheets of cardboard that are left protect the film against whatever dangers lurk in the triple box. Of course I live in Rochester and have been using mostly Kodak film my whole life... dust from the paper/foil package has never been an issue, in a changing bag, tent, or darkroom.