Dark slide for Toyo 810 film holder

[Songyun]

I have a broken dark slide, and looking for a spare one, but can not find any. Does the fidelity 810 dark slide work in toyo film holder?

[Mark Woods]

Be careful. Not all film slides fit all holders, even from the same manufacturer.

[John Kasaian]

Is it cracked or is it completely broken?
What is it made out of?
A DIY repair or replacement may be possible---got pictures?

[Songyun]

It is cracked 204939204940

[Nodda Duma]

You can order black vinyl or abs sheets off amazon and cut them to size. Make sure you get one of those materials, as others are not entirely opaque (you can see a flashlight shine through)

[B.S.Kumar]

For the record, Fidelity slides will not fit Toyo holders and vice versa.

Kumar

[Michael Kadillak]

You can order black vinyl or abs sheets off amazon and cut them to size. Make sure you get one of those materials, as others are not entirely opaque (you can see a flashlight shine through)

Right. Even ABS sheets that look like they are entirely opaque when put into service for dark slides (ie pass the flashlight test with flying colors) turn out to be absolutely worthless. Been there and done that and will not do it again. Bottom line is that the propensity of light to finds its way to highly light sensitive sheet film is not to be taken lightly. There is no quick and easy solution for this problem. The film holder manufacturers have invested the time and resources in assuring the correct material is used for the task at hand. If you are not using black anodized aluminum sheet, get a Toyo replacement dark slide.

[Greg]

Right. Even ABS sheets that look like they are entirely opaque when put into service for dark slides (ie pass the flashlight test with flying colors) turn out to be absolutely worthless. Been there and done that and will not do it again. Bottom line is that the propensity of light to finds its way to highly light sensitive sheet film is not to be taken lightly. There is no quick and easy solution for this problem. The film holder manufacturers have invested the time and resources in assuring the correct material is used for the tase at hand. If you are not using black anodized aluminum sheet, get a Toyo replacement dark slide.

Agree 100%. A time ago replaced some 11x14 film holders with ABS dark slide sheets. Thickness was to spec and they looked really great but when used outdoors in the bright sunlight, they "fogged" the film. It was a very costly learning experience.

[John Kasaian]

I've seen dents like that covered with gaffer's tape but I've never trusted them----I'd suspect the added thickness of tape might cause havoc with the velvet in the light trap.

I don't know if this would work or not. I've used it to repair broken plastic film holders with success, but not the dark slides.

Flatten out the dent in a dry press
Mix a small amount of PC putty (2 part epoxy) with black enamel paint model to color and apply a thin coat to both sides with a spatula or putty knife.
After drying, polish the repair down to the surrounding thickness---maybe 1000 grit wet or dry followed by a polishing compound of some sort, even toothpaste(?)

Like I said I don't know if it will work for your repair---I'm thinking the lack of flexibiity may be an issue---OTOH if you're going to replace it anyway. why not give it a go?

[Songyun]

Flatten out the dent in a dry press

That is an interesting idea, I can give it a try. I have already ordered two replacement dark slides from Kumar.

[Songyun]

On a side note, this experience made me appreciate the carbon fiber dark slides from Chamonix film holder more.

[Tin Can]

I have used good packing tape with diagonal ends to ease through the light trap on good condition cracks with no gaps.

It almost disappears