Where to put film holders

[Noah B]

Hello everyone, I currently shoot a Wista 8x10 and store it and one lens in an old lowepro photo trekker bag, tight fit but it works for now. I've got 6 film holders and usually tote around 4 or so. What do you all use for storing film holders when shooting?

[Mark Woods]

I use large freezer bags that will hold 4 8x10 holders that are stacked in opposite directions.

[Leigh]

I have a Zone VI 8x10 pouch that accommodates six filmholders.

Very nice arrangement, with a shoulder strap.

- Leigh

[Stephane]

Into a cardboard box cut to fit the size. All (sinar norma, accessories, tripod and lenses) go into a 90l duffel bag with rucksack straps.

[MIke Sherck]

I use soft-sided cooler bags. There is an amazing variety of these things out there, in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colors, and you can usually build up a good supply cheaply from garage sales. My main 8x10 bag is a medium sized soft-sided cooler bag. It holds my two lenses, meter, loupe, filters, misc. plus four film holder, two to a 2-gallon zip-lock bag. If I feel the need to carry more than four, I have two odd soft-sized bags I bought from Menard's of all places, a couple of years ago. They are sort of a vertical design and hold four holders comfortably, although at a pinch you can cram up to seven in each, (each pair of holders are in a 2-gallon plastic zip-lock bag.) They have shoulder straps for carrying. Then there's a cheap computer bag I bought at Target several years ago; again, a vertical design which is most comfortable with two holders. Any remaining holders are in another cooler, in the car. Again, I normally only carry four holders but I can augment by increments of two or four holders pretty easily, by just grabbing an additional bag with shoulder strap. For 4x5 I can fit half a dozen (or nine at a pinch,) into my F/64 backpack and many more ride in other cooler bags, back in the car. If I really want to up the weight, I can add another dozen in the bag's clip-on film holder bag thingies which came with it, but I don't usually need that many holders.

All my holders are stored in pairs, in zip-lock bags to keep the dust down to a dull roar. The 8x10 camera is a monorail, I carry it screwed to the tripod and over my shoulder, with the focusing cloth as a pad. Works ok for short distances; say, a mile or two. For long distances, I carry the 4x5.

Mike

[cdholden]

+1 for Mike.
I had one of the insulated coolers designed to hold two 2 liter bottles. It held 10 8x10 holders even, or fewer holders plus film.
Look in Wal-Mart/K-Mart/Target for manufacturer named California Innovation.

Chris

[Vaughn]

+1 for Mike.
I had one of the insulated coolers designed to hold two 2 liter bottles. It held 10 8x10 holders even, or fewer holders plus film.
Look in Wal-Mart/K-Mart/Target for manufacturer named California Innovation.

Chris

I have three of these (but must be a little smaller -- only hold 6 8x10 holders). Before I got them I used a camping ice-chest/cooler that all my 8x10 holders plus film boxes fit perfectly into.

[John Powers]

Cheap carry on bag from Walmart and a small back pack from LL Bean. I carry two or three 8x10 holders, not in zip lock bags, but the black plastic bags that hold Kentmere Fineprint 11x14 or 16x20 print paper. This keeps the dust and the light out. You don’t want to leave them in the sun though because the black will increase the heat. I just leave them in the carry bag until I am ready to shoot.

John

[Kimberly Anderson]

I have had bags made for my 5x7, 4x10 and 8x10 holders. Custom made to my specs...they weren't cheap, but they are strong, well padded, have handles, and outside pockets for pencils/pens/paper and are color-coded.





I have also had bags made to fit my Canham bag bellows and Canham 8x10 and 5x7 camera backs.

[jeroldharter]

There are no great solutions. The padded cases are nice but they are bulky and can be dusty, especially used ones.

You can buy them new on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MC-Gear-4x10-Cut...#ht_3863wt_905

You will have to call them if they don't post the format you need but they can get them, sometimes in colors not shown. They are OK but bulky and I find that the sizes vary.

The best option would be the upcoming Photobackpacker case which I don't think is available yet. It is a new and improved model similar to the old Gnass holder. I have seen a prototype 4x5 which is excellent. I will be ordering the 8x10 when they become available. See this thread:

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...hotobackpacker