Newb question: Store film holders with dark slides in...or out?

[j.e.simmons]

Another reason to keep them in, particularly if you have an assortment of old ones as I do, is that the slides are not uniform. They generally fit better in some holders than others. And in 4x5, the Graflex holders are quite different from Fidelity and Lisco. It’s better to keep the slides with the holders that fit.

[Fred L]

I...I've also been doing that minus the expiration date. Now I'll have to add the date....

this is only because I use expired film for random stuff, but expose fresh film for important work, so I don't mix them up lol

[Doremus Scudder]

I store my film holders with slides in. They're loaded and ready to go 90% of the time; empty only during developing sessions then reloaded afterward.

The point above about not mixing up darkslides is important. I have a collection of holders that consists of many brands and ages. The slides are nowhere near interchangeable.

Keeping the slides in keeps the dust out.

Best,

Doremus

[Arcus]

I never considered this. Always slides in, for decades. They still work well.
But it makes sense to keep out those that are not used. So I think I'll proceed this way from now on.

Are bits of felt used in these slides? My thinking was that leaving slides in might over time flatten and make whatever is used for lightfastness less effective over time. On the other hand, experience (decades!) beats theory.

[Jac@stafford.net]

One small tip: when carrying film holders it is a good idea to put very thin shipping foam between the holders. Just last Friday I found that while taking one holder from my pack I tipped it and a corner took a chip out of the middle of the dark slide beside it. One of my best, a Linhof holder.

About the lightproof 'felt', no problem. Leave the slide in.

[Tin Can]

The felt is velvet with brass finger springs pushing up.

They work well if not dirty or abused.

The flap is more often a problem when the tape fails. It dries out and dusts everything. Dust is a problem.

Keep them clean and in baggies. Or special film holder bags. Those can be handmade.

I keep most of my 8X10 loaded, marked and in a dark box. I add paper dividers so I can easily tell what is what.

Many times I have bought holders with film still in them.

Sometimes fun to process the film and see if anything develops.

Usually not...

Buy the nicest ones you can afford and they last decades.

I like wood holders with wood cameras. Plastic holders with metal cameras.

[Andrew O'Neill]

I always keep the slides in, black tab facing out.

[John Kasaian]

In, where they belong
Unloaded holders go in a zip locks labelled EMPTY
Loaded holders go in zip locks labeled with the emulsion loaded.

[Jac@stafford.net]

In, where they belong
Unloaded holders go in a zip locks labelled EMPTY
Loaded holders go in zip locks labeled with the emulsion loaded.

OK, I'm convinced and will shop for the correct zip locks tomorrow. Thank you, John.

[archphotofisher]

Store empty holders with slides in, stacked with like holders, holders with film loaded, sit in zip lock plastic bags, with a 3x5 card calling out film type. The card is also used for field notes.