Where to store film on the way to the lab?

shadowfox

shadowfox

Darkroom printing lives
Local time
6:09 AM
Joined
Oct 24, 2006
Messages
8,770
View My Gallery
Since I haven't yet got the equipment (and the nerve) to develop myself at home, I have to bring my exposed sheet films to the lab.

My question is, if I haven't shot the whole box of film, what can I use to store the film on the way to the lab? I mean, one way is to leave the exposed film in the holder, but I imagine it would be cumbersome and there's a chance that the lab will misplace them.

Any tips?
 
Have you thought about getting one of those insulated lunch boxes? I used to see some photographers back in the day (four years ago) doing that to carry around fresh unexposed and exposed film.
 
I leave my exposed in the holders and take them to the lab.

( In fact, I got my 4x5 holders, used, from this same lab.)


I never have more than half-a-dozen double holders at a time... they don't lose them.

Sometimes it's just one holder at a a time.


I usually put my exposed holders in a zip-loc freezer bag for transport to the lab, and try to keep them out of bright light.

So far, it's worked okay for me.


Luddite Frank
 
All, thanks for the responses.

Mervyn, yes, if I had one spare light-tight box, it won't be a problem anymore 🙂 , problem is, I just got started, and my first *ever* 4x5 sheet film is being delivered as we speak.

Gabriel, lunch-box, you don't mean the tupperware-like stuff, do you?

Frank, your lab may not lose them, but I hardly know anyone in the only lab available to me for 4x5 processing. But you're right, if they still employ developers who appreciates the nuances of LF photography, that is, which I doubt.
 
Empty film boxes? You'll have lots of them soon enough. The lab may give you one to get started.

Do it yourself is great. Not too expensive if you get lucky. I got lucky. Used Jobo tanks on a Uniroller motor base work like a charm.
 
The problem is solved, the people at BWC is quite friendly and they are not strangers with film inside holders.

But I hope this is temporary anyways, yesterday I took the plunge and ordered some chemicals from Freestyle. Wish me luck 🙂
 
Shadow: Glad to hear your lab is user-friendly.


Venchka: We have one "old-time" photo-lab left here in NE Penna ( that I'm aware of)... he's been in business for over 30 years... nice family-run operation.

They have modern machine processing for 35mm and such, but also still do MF and LF.
They've also branched into copying, digital transfer, digital darkroom and printing services, etc.


They've even held on to their 5x7 film hangers from an old customer's big photo project that never materialized (25 years ago); the chap was going to do a big marketing project, all on 5x7, for a local book manufacturer, but the project evaporated.

So, my local lab can start doing my 5x7 stuff when I get my camera going (soon, I hope !).

The owner is usually the one who waits on me, and we often spend 15 or 20 mintues talking shop or doing show & tell with my latest relic...

But, when he retires, I imagine the business will retire with him.

I need to figure-out where I can set-up my own dark room, so I can start doing my own stuff...

Regards,

LF
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom