This is the most common mistake I make with my 4x5 camera. Am I alone?

[Certain Exposures]

Have any of you ever done this? How many lashes do you give yourself when this happens? :D

https://imgur.com/a/0Qsgup3

This is the third time I've done it. The other two times I was rushing for a couple fading light landscapes.

Also, why can't we share an image in a comment with the "insert image" feature?

Edit: The film holder isn't in all the way!

[Doremus Scudder]

I can't figure out what you're referring to. Maybe an explanation?

[Iga]

Wrong dark slide ? Did it once.

[Tin Can]

Have any of you ever done this? How many lashes do you give yourself when this happens? :D

https://imgur.com/a/0Qsgup3

This is the third time I've done it. The other two times I was rushing for a couple fading light landscapes.

Also, why can't we share an image in a comment with the "insert image" feature?

I find the easiest way to get a pic in here is

Get a free Flickr account, copy and paste into your thread

[Rick A]

I can honestly say I've never done that. I've left the shutter open and pulled a dark slide or three though.

[Certain Exposures]

I can't figure out what you're referring to. Maybe an explanation?

Sure, the film holder isn't in all the way. It's hard to recognize at a glance - even in real life.

I have trouble inserting it fully because my back sticks a lot. If I push too hard my flimsy tripod dances around.

[Certain Exposures]

I can honestly say I've never done that. I've left the shutter open and pulled a dark slide or three though.

You need more carbs. :p

[Certain Exposures]

I find the easiest way to get a pic in here is

Get a free Flickr account, copy and paste into your thread

Thank you

[Certain Exposures]

Wrong dark slide ? Did it once.

Are you asking if I double exposed the shot? Not this time!

[Kiwi7475]

I’ve never suffered this issue — but most others over the last many years….

Perhaps the most frequent one is to forget to stop down to the desired aperture after metering (from wide open for focusing) so I really over expose and waste the shot.

I’ve also confused myself by not placing the dark slide in the right orientation — causing double exposures.

Also labeled the film inside the holder wrong — thereby causing all kind of issues including developing slides as black and white.

I’ve also forgot to cock the shutter and not realized — developing thus an empty negative; in others I’ve caught myself wandering if it made the right noise and then deciding to try again ending up with a slightly off-aligned double exposure of the same scene.

I’ve also applied movements past the lens coverage, ending up with black corners.

I’ve also forgot to remove red/orange/yellow filters on the lens when changing to color negatives.

I’ve also shot with empty holders on one side. Haven’t shot yet with two sheets on the same side!

[Alan Klein]

Sure, the film holder isn't in all the way. It's hard to recognize at a glance - even in real life.

I have trouble inserting it fully because my back sticks a lot. If I push too hard my flimsy tripod dances around.

Hold the bottom of the camera with your other hand and press the film board in hard.

[darr]

Practice will get you where you want to be.
Don't give up or get too discouraged.
I did a double exposure last month and have been at this game for decades!

Best to you Certain Exposures,
Darr

[Don Dudenbostel]

I didn’t get the holder in all the way once when I was in high school. I think it was 1965 and 4x5 was new to me. Pull the back out a little when inserting the holder then listen and feel for the click when the light trap and rib on the holder engage. You’ll get used to it.

[jtomasella]

Have any of you ever done this? How many lashes do you give yourself when this happens? :D

https://imgur.com/a/0Qsgup3

This is the third time I've done it. The other two times I was rushing for a couple fading light landscapes.

Also, why can't we share an image in a comment with the "insert image" feature?

Edit: The film holder isn't in all the way!

I'm guessing that mistake has more to do with the camera you have. My 4x5 has a pretty positive feel when it seats.

[Certain Exposures]

I’ve never suffered this issue — but most others over the last many years….

Perhaps the most frequent one is to forget to stop down to the desired aperture after metering (from wide open for focusing) so I really over expose and waste the shot.

I’ve also confused myself by not placing the dark slide in the right orientation — causing double exposures.

Also labeled the film inside the holder wrong — thereby causing all kind of issues including developing slides as black and white.

I’ve also forgot to cock the shutter and not realized — developing thus an empty negative; in others I’ve caught myself wandering if it made the right noise and then deciding to try again ending up with a slightly off-aligned double exposure of the same scene.

I’ve also applied movements past the lens coverage, ending up with black corners.

I’ve also forgot to remove red/orange/yellow filters on the lens when changing to color negatives.

I’ve also shot with empty holders on one side. Haven’t shot yet with two sheets on the same side!

That list looks awfully familiar to me :)

[Certain Exposures]

Hold the bottom of the camera with your other hand and press the film board in hard.

Thanks, I'll try that.


Practice will get you where you want to be.
Don't give up or get too discouraged.
I did a double exposure last month and have been at this game for decades!

Best to you Certain Exposures,
Darr

Thanks! I will keep it up.



I didn’t get the holder in all the way once when I was in high school. I think it was 1965 and 4x5 was new to me. Pull the back out a little when inserting the holder then listen and feel for the click when the light trap and rib on the holder engage. You’ll get used to it.

Good point. A tug upwards would have made it obvious, thanks.


I'm guessing that mistake has more to do with the camera you have. My 4x5 has a pretty positive feel when it seats.

Yes, maybe. I get a "seated" sensation when it's not fully seated. I'll have to learn to work around it.

[Eliverto]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/mistakes.html

[Axelwik]

There are so many opportunities to make mistakes with large format, that anyone who says they didn't or don't is probably not being truthful! I've made plenty through the years.

[ericantonio]

I never ever ever made a mistake while shooting LF. Except that one time, I put a bunch of holders in my "dad shorts" you know deep pockets, side pockets, etc. And I was by the riverbed somewhere in Arizona. I bent over, and whoosh, the holders somehow jumped all on their own out of my pocket and into the river. And also that other time ....
Well, I guess maybe a few more times I made a mistake.

[Certain Exposures]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/mistakes.html

Yep, that's a good guide.


There are so many opportunities to make mistakes with large format, that anyone who says they didn't or don't is probably not being truthful! I've made plenty through the years.

Preach!


I never ever ever made a mistake while shooting LF. Except that one time, I put a bunch of holders in my "dad shorts" you know deep pockets, side pockets, etc. And I was by the riverbed somewhere in Arizona. I bent over, and whoosh, the holders somehow jumped all on their own out of my pocket and into the river. And also that other time ....
Well, I guess maybe a few more times I made a mistake.

RIP to your holders. I may or may not have baptised a medium format camera by accident...

[Certain Exposures]

Have any of you ever done this? How many lashes do you give yourself when this happens? :D

https://imgur.com/a/0Qsgup3

This is the third time I've done it. The other two times I was rushing for a couple fading light landscapes.

Also, why can't we share an image in a comment with the "insert image" feature?

Edit: The film holder isn't in all the way!

Here's a funny update. The holder was in just enough that I got the shot.

However.

I made a mistake during development for the first time. The mistake ruined the film. Thankfully, I correctly shot and developed the remaining frames.

[Certain Exposures]

I have a related question.

How idiot proof are darkroom bags? Have any of you ever been victimized by one? I just ordered my first one because I'll need to be able to reload for this shoot.

[Dugan]

Just remember to take your Apple Watch/FitBit/watch with luminous dial/whatever off before using the changing bag.

[Gord Robinson]

Just remember to take your Apple Watch/FitBit/watch with luminous dial/whatever off before using the changing bag.

This isn't just in a change bag but also the darkroom. I was loading a 36 exposure roll of film onto the reel when my fitbit lit up to tell me I had met my number of steps for the day. Since then both my fitbit and phone stay out of the darkroom when i am processing film. Hard lesson to learn.

[Vaughn]

I have a related question.

How idiot proof are darkroom bags? Have any of you ever been victimized by one? I just ordered my first one because I'll need to be able to reload for this shoot.

Making something fool-proof only challenges Mother nature to make a better fool. My experiences:

Dust -- in a relatively dust free place, turn the bag inside out and shake the dust out.
Bag may be 100% light-tight, but stay out of the sun...the heat will cause your hands to sweat.
Your nose will never itch so much as when you got both arms in the bag and the film box open.
Be sure your position is comfortable and stable...you'll be in it for awhile!
Make sure you have everything you need in the bag before you start.
Make sure the film box(es) are closed up properly before removing arms.

Sometimes a simple internal framework can be made to keep the top of the bag away from your hands/film/film holders. (Tinker Toys, plastic pipe with slip-fittings, etc).

Don't do it in a hotel lobby -- they'll think you are shooting-up in public (or at least they'll come over and ask you what is going on); El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon.