Film holder? Quickload film?

Rogier

Rogier

Rogier Willems
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Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
1,211
Hi,

I am starting with 4x5" film (b&w) and would like to know how best to start.

  • Cut Film or Quickload?
  • What (used) film holders to choose?
  • Daylight developing and drying of the film (no darkroom)

Thanks in advance for your advice :)

Rogier
 
Quickload is out of production, and the last relics are near expiration date. There is no point in getting into it if you don't already own a holder.

That means cut film. Try to buy a set of identical holders - a mix of holders with different feel can drive you nuts (or even cause catastrophic failures) when you attempt to load them in a dark bag. I'd stick to Fidelity Elite or Lisco Regal (all made by the same maker these days - there is not really any choice where new sheet film holders are concerned), as these are all over the place and affordable. There are better, more fancy used holders (e.g. Linhof branded), but be prepared to spend lots of either time or money to get hold of a working kit - bargains are rare and tend to be solitary ones.

Another option (if you were considering Quickloads for their small volume) are Grafmatics - automatic six-sheet holders. Being a metal construction, they are not much lighter than the three wood/plastics double sided holders each would replace, but they are barely bigger than a single one of them, and they allow you to fire six shots faster than you can wind on 120 film. But research them before you buy any, so that you can spot the issues (notably bent/missing septums) they may have.
 
Since I rarely have more than maybe 4 shots to develop I use the taco method. I found out about at the LF forum. Below is just or of many variations of the method.

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...ive-daylight-Softube-processing-of-sheet-film

If u google "taco method development" u will run across all the different aviation s people have come up w/.

I have been using this method for both 9x12 and 4x5... Btw 9x12 folders can be addictive.

Gary
 
Eric T said:
For 4x5, I have used the MOD 54 processor and a Peterson 3 reel tank. Works well for me.
See www.mod54.com
Click to expand...

I have tried the Combiplan 4x5 tank, the "taco-shell" method, and the MOD54 holderPatterson 3 reel tank, the latter working best for me. Loading is quite easy when using a large changing back and the sheets are hold quite firmly in their positions.
 
I have a Jobo print drum that I have modified to hold 6 4x5 sheets. To agitate, I just roll it gently back and forth on a countertop or in my bathtub. I wash them in a 5x7 tray with running water, and I dry them by hanging them individually using small stationary clips from clothes hangers under my shower curtain rail.
 
A lot of people don't like the Yankee tanks. I have one and like it because it takes more than one size of film. I use 4x5, 9x12, and 6x7 (not so often). I can use that tank for all.
 
I've just started out in 4x5 too. I got 4x Fidelity Elite holders, and as it turned out, they were pretty easy to load in the changing bag. I just put them in the bag with the darkslide halfway in, and always the same way around. I was a bit concerned I'd find it too fiddly, but it turns out it's quite easy.
 
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