prevention of film holder light leaks

[Kirk Gittings]

I don't think this is very complicated really. I only buy used holders and only use the ones that do not leak in direct sunlight. They are easy enough to test. I have about 40 good holders (4x5). Some I have been using for decades. The only ones I have had to retire were ones I did dumb shit with like dropping one from the roof of a 15 story building or dropping one in a stream (the film stuck so bad in the rails that I could never get the rails clean enough again).

[Salmo22]

I don't think this is very complicated really. I only buy used holders and only use the ones that do not leak in direct sunlight. They are easy enough to test. I have about 40 good holders (4x5). Some I have been using for decades. The only ones I have had to retire were ones I did dumb shit with like dropping one from the roof of a 15 story building or dropping one in a stream (the film stuck so bad in the rails that I could never get the rails clean enough again).

Kirk:

I recently inherited two dozen 4x5 film holders when my father passed away in August. As a general rule, he took very good care of his equipment, so I assume they are in good working order. That being said, what is the proper way for me to test these holders for light leaks? Thanks in advance.

Jeff

[John Kasaian]

The standard test is to load them with paper (cheaper than film) and leave them in sunlight for awhile---flip them over halfway through the ordeal to subject both sides to the sunlight---then develop the sheets and see what leaks are exposed.

[Jim Noel]

SInce my film holders are always under the protection of the dark cloth, or in the dark room I don't worry about light leaks. If I get a light leak it is because I was careless wile photographing.