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Thread: Film orientation in the box...

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Film orientation in the box...

    OK it seems like a silly question but new to LF and am loading film holders for the first time, working in total darkness...etc, you all no the drill. So how is the film oriented in the box emulsion side up or down?

    Thanks.

  2. #2

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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    Go by the notches. Who knows how you'll put the unused film back in the box. If you let the notches guide you never a problem.

  3. #3

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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    And, once they're exposed and you're putting them back in the boxes... it doesn't matter which direction you place them.

    If you take the films to a lab... let them worry about it.

    If you're processing them... just feel for the notches and lay them back in the box in a uniform manner.

    But, I agree with Nick... let the notches be your guide and you won't have any problems.

    Cheers
    Life in the fast lane!

  4. #4
    not an junior member Janko Belaj's Avatar
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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    take film holder in your left hand with opening away from you, take film in your right hand with pointing finger (sorry on my clumsy enlgish ) on notch code (so the notch code will be "top-right") and you will have emulsion side of film facing you... be carefull with sliding film in holder taking care not to slide it in the darkslide rails. and have a good light!

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Dec 1999
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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    Since you are new to larg forat may suggest some reading

    Using the View Camera that I wrote

    User's Guide to the View Camera by Jim Stne

    Large Format nature Photography by Jack Dykinga.

    Check your local library.

    There are also several artiles in the Free Artices section of te View Camera web site that will be helpful toyou.

    www.viewcamera.com


    steve simons

  6. #6
    Cooke, Heliar, Petzval...yeah
    Join Date
    May 2006
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    700

    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    I read the responses but all of the are complicated explanations. Simply, if you feel notches closest to the top right corner, the film emulion is facing you (is on the top).

    After, just find the most comfortable way to load the film.
    Peter Hruby
    www.peterhruby.ca

  7. #7
    Newbie
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    May 2006
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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    Yep, it's a very common problem when you first start out!

    Follow the advice given above ^ and let me also suggest that you sacrifice one sheet of film and do it the first time with lights on. Then you will see very clearly what you need to do.

  8. #8

    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    SAShruby,

    That is not fully correct. Think about if for a while, and you will realize that there are two top right orientations, and only one is correct.

    You have to be precise in the language...

    The notches must be on the top edge, and on the right side to have the emulsion up.

    To merely say top right position can be intrepreted incorrectly by a beginner.


    ---Michael
    Last edited by Michael Mutmansky; 12-Oct-2006 at 11:24.

  9. #9

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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    To answer your exact question - how is film oriented in the box - in more than 20-years of opening large format film boxes, I've never figured out the answer to that qquestion. I don't think it's consistent. As others have said, just feel for the notches.
    juan

  10. #10
    Between here and there
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    Germany
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    Re: Film orientation in the box...

    This is the guide I used, and it got me started seven years ago:

    http://www.largeformatphotography.info/loading.html

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