Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Posts
    304

    Question Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    I tend to keep my exposure sheets, dividers, etc. in with my negatives just in the 3-ring film binders and am starting to wonder if that's wise for archiving safety.

    The film itself is in PrintFiles (35mm, 120, and 4x5) in BW, C-41, and E-6. I have my old binder from high school (not many moons old heh) that had shoot sheets with the negatives with no notable issues (all that stuff was BW though).

    Curious, I know acid-free paper is better for mounting prints. For negatives, do I need to get a certain type of paper and/or 3-ring dividers or is normal paper and stuff a-ok? PrintFiles protect the negatives from touching anything but not sure if any off-gassing could be an issue?

    Asking because it is convenient to keep some metadata with my films - such as exposure, push/pull, film type for the 4x5's if it's not obvious, etc. I actually document this in a custom webapp I made (thefilmlog.org) but the idea was to include much of this information with the negative just in case I lost the digitally ethereal versions. But if it's not ideal to do so, I may either keep the notes in another binder or just stick with my digital notes (and make copious backups).

  2. #2
    David Schaller
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Williamstown, MA
    Posts
    818

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    I use a separate small notebook for my exposure details, with the scenes and holder numbers. I write the processing information in the notebook as well, and on the Printfile sheet with a Sharpie pen. If I made a mistake, I make notes to myself in the notebook, which I will have with me in the field in the future. I also have a another notebook in the darkroom, which notes the film processing, and print exposure details. I honestly don’t refer to past exposures too much, and the processing notes mostly to decide whether to develop the second sheet more or less than the first.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Suwanee, GA
    Posts
    1,078

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    I used to keep printing notes but found I rarely print same image twice, or the same way when revisiting. the only problem with paper near your negatives will be the attraction of bugs over long term storage. I now write some items on the negative sleeve such as VC Grade or density. I use a whiteboard during printing between refinements then will transfer that info to back of the final print(s) when dry in pencil. If I mount, the print info goes on the back of the matboard.
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    91

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    I don't think ordinary paper 'gasses out' like (styro)foam and certain glues. Paper may be acidic but it seems unlike that it will penetrate polyethylene - I'm assuming that those Printfiles are made of PE? I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    California
    Posts
    3,908

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    I had to stop using Printfiles as well as Unicolor pages for my negatives when they began to turn to dust and fall apart. I now have good quality sleeves for both sheet and roll film which I bought in large quantity a good number of years ago.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Posts
    304

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    Hmm thanks folks! Gives me some food for thought!

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Posts
    20

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    Jereom, which sleeves do you use for 4x5? Cheers

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    91

    Re: Keeping paper (exposure sheets, notes) with negatives - bad for archiving?

    Quote Originally Posted by Blackmarxz View Post
    Jereom, which sleeves do you use for 4x5? Cheers
    I shoot 8x10 and I can only get pergamin sleeves in Europe.

Similar Threads

  1. Unexplicable exposure problem with paper negatives
    By tonyowen in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 14-Jun-2019, 05:46
  2. Replies: 12
    Last Post: 12-Jul-2018, 22:13
  3. Keeping track of negatives in the field
    By Kermit Burroughs in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 7-Sep-2010, 12:30
  4. Keeping track of your N, N- and N+ exposed sheets
    By Hany Aziz in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 31-Mar-2008, 21:14
  5. Exposure notes and keeping track of films
    By Ellen Stoune Duralia in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 15-Feb-2005, 13:00

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •