Loading film backs in hot&humid?

[jvuokko]

Hi,

I'm going to japan for the summer and it will be hot and humid there.

In my last trip, I used only quickloads to avoid handling of the film sheets in the changing back.
I have really bad experiences of changing bag in hot (and humid) environment, on the one trip to japan, I used changing bag and regular 4x5 film backs. The result was pile of negatives with all kind of marks from my sweaty fingers and sweat that has drop to the film..


But now as the QL is not quite available, I must use again regular film backs - unless I go with MF gear.

Any tips how could I make the changing of the films easier? Should I use gloves for preventing sweat falling to the films?
I do not have access to any room that can be darken, so the changing back / tent is only option. And ofcourse, the dark room would also be really hot with same problems..


Thanks,
Jukka

[rguinter]

...Any tips how could I make the changing of the films easier? Should I use gloves for preventing sweat falling to the films?
I do not have access to any room that can be darken, so the changing back / tent is only option. And ofcourse, the dark room would also be really hot with same problems...Jukka

I had the same problem for years. I sweat terribly and it was always a problem loading/unloading film holders in the summer.

Once I switched to a film-changing tent my problem subsided considerably. I still sweat profusely but the task of loading/unloading in a changing tent is so much faster and easier. I can place the holders and film box inside the tent ahead of time, close it up, and then do what's necessary to cool off/dry off before actually putting my hands in there to do the job. I also keep the number of holders I'm working with small at any one time (i.e., 2 or 3) to keep the task short. Takes me less than a minute per holder to load/unload. Works for me. Best of luck. Bob G.

[Ben Syverson]

Load the film in your air conditioned hotel?

[jvuokko]

Load the film in your air conditioned hotel?

I don't live in hotel. The purpose of trip is not exactly photography (althought I have good opportunies to photograph) and I'll live at my relatives aparthment - not much air conditioning.

[Bill_1856]

Unfortunately, I think the only realistic answer is to use Latex gloves. They can be quite fragile, so take several pairs.

[Ben Syverson]

Ah, I see. I would load two film holders at a time, taking a 10 minute break in-between. That way you don't overheat!

[tgtaylor]

If you have access to electricity and a refrigerator, then place a bowl of ice in front of an electric fan that is blowing on you and, voila, you have air conditioning.

I usually load my holders sitting on the floor in the living room with my back against the sofa. The coffee table with the Harrison changing tent set-up on top is the perfect height for that task. I can also watch TV or listen to the stereo while loading/unloading holders.

[lenser]

I would think that the white cotton lab gloves that are made for film handling would be far superior to latex. The latex would be a barrier, but would make one's hands much hotter and build up the sweating cycle on arms which could then drip sweat onto the holders and film. The cotton would breath and allow for dryer and cooler hands.

The Harrison tents are the best I've used and give you lots of space to spread out holders and film boxes while working which keeps contact to a minimum. Also helpful for keeping sweat drops away since you can push the film and holders away from just being under your hands.

Since your head is the main heat radiator of the body, stay in the shade for changing and face any possible breezes to stay cooler; and if indoors, have a fan on your head/face which will rapidly cool the entire body and help to reduce sweating everywhere including your hands.

As to humidity, if your film has been frozen or refrigerated, be sure to allow considerable time for the package to come to ambient temperature before unsealing the zip lock you have had it sealed in. Otherwise....instant condensation and if the foil wrapper has been previously opened, an almost certain chance of moisture damage to the film.

[rguinter]

Unfortunately, I think the only realistic answer is to use Latex gloves. They can be quite fragile, so take several pairs.

I agree with lenser. Use of latex gloves is probably not such a good idea. For me anyway as a health and safety specialist I use (nitrile) rubber gloves all the time for handling samples and hazardous materials. We don't use latex at our site due to the possibility of someone developing latex allergy.

But with the gloves on I sweat more and faster. I think fumbling with them inside a changing tent would actually make things worse. Personally I need the sensitivity of feel with bare fingers on the film edges and holders to make the job go quickly. Takes just a few seconds for me to open a film holder and slide a film sheet in. But if I couldn't feel the edges of things adequately I'm sure it would slow me down significantly. Bob G.

[tgtaylor]

For me, gloves would definitely slow things down and probably make it impossible to load. I need the sensitivity of bare skin to feel the beginning of the two slots on either side of the holder. Once located, I carefully slide the sheet into those groves and then, with one hand holding the felt closure flat against the bottom of the tent, slowly and carefully push the sheet in with the index finger of the other hand keeping the sheet flat so that it doesn't jump out of the groves.

A fingernail is really handy when unloading. All my holders are Toyo (I never used any other brand) and those holders really hold the film in flat and tight. Sheets do not slide out and I find it necessary to use a finger nail, or if I recently cut mine, then torque the edge of the sheet up and away from the holder to get a grip on it to remove it.