How do you store single 35mm film frames ..?

[Matus]

I am multi-format user (35mm, 6x6, 4x5). I store all of my developed film in ~ A4 sized Polypropylene (mostly) Adox sleeves. For 120 films one can get sleeves with either 4 film strips per page or for 12 separate 6x6 cut film pieces. But for 35mm film there seem to be only film strip sleeves, but no single frame sleeves.

While I mostly try to keep the film cut in strips (6 frames per strip with 35mm film, easier for home-scanning and viewing) sometimes the cutting the film strip into single frames is necessary (sending film for scanning, for example).

I am not interested in plastic/glass slide film holders as they are bulky and I want to store both positive and negative films this way.

At the same time I consider keeping only those film frames which are worth it what would allow me to save space and make browsing my films easier (less volume).

So - how do you guys store single film frames?

 

[MartinP]

I don't see any reason to do this, so the problem does not arise. If you really want to try then perhaps you could look at the sort of mounts they use for stamps - but those are on cardboard backing and cost more than a few dozen normal neg storage sheets. I am interested to know how you can identify which shots will be interesting over the next forty years too ! 😉

 

[tofagerl]

Why don't you just store them in the same sheets as the strips? Granted, you'd be hard pressed to get six singles in one strip-thingy, but you could easily do four, inserting two from each side. Maybe more with tweezers...

 

[Mcary]

While I mostly try to keep the film cut in strips (6 frames per strip with 35mm film, easier for home-scanning and viewing) sometimes the cutting the film strip into single frames is necessary (sending film for scanning, for example).

So - how do you guys store single film frames?

Question; does the place you send your film to be scanned charge extra for scanning a single frame from a strip of six vs a single frame? If not why not just sent the entire strip with a note telling them which frame(s)?

 

[Roger Hicks]

The big question is how you protect that tiny slip of 35mm film. I use slide mounts (Gepe) or continuous sleeving, as used in pro labs, with the sleeving itself then stored in, well, yes, a slide file: no saving in space, though a bit in weight and thickness and of course you don't need to buy slide mounts. But then, except for slides, I've never had any need whatsoever to cut 35mm into single frames.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Tim Gray]

Buy some side lock film sleeves like these. Sure, they are 4 or 6 frames long, but you could put a couple in there. You load them from the top - no sliding of the negative in from the end.

Why can't you send in the strip of 4/5/6 for scanning?

 

[Steve M.]

I wouldn't cut them into singles, even if you're sending them off for scanning. You could go to a stamp store (or look online) and get some little packets to put the single frames you already have in, but you're much better off keeping 35mm in strips because the neg is so tiny it's often difficult to scan or enlarge one frame at a time.

 

[Matus]

Thanks for the replies.

Bit more about the reasons. If I want to send a 35 frame for to be scanned with Imacon X5 I need to have it cut ,as as far as I know, the 6 frame strip would not fit the Imacon holder. Also the guy does not know which frames from the strip to cut.

Now you darkroom guys - do you enlarge your 35 negs without cutting the film into single frames? I have no idea - I have never had an enlarger ...

I do have single PVC pockets for 6x6 I sometimes use to keep the single frames safe when sending them off for scanning. But this is not a practical way to store them.

And yes - sometimes I would like to get rid of frames that are simply bad (shaken, wrong exposure or totally boring). ANd do not tell me that I just should stop taking them 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks for the replies.

Bit more about the reasons. If I want to send a 35 frame for to be scanned with Imacon X5 I need to have it cut ,as as far as I know, the 6 frame strip would not fit the Imacon holder. Also the guy does not know which frames from the strip to cut.

Now you darkroom guys - do you enlarge your 35 negs without cutting the film into single frames? I have no idea - I have never had an enlarger ...

I do have single PVC pockets for 6x6 I sometimes use to keep the single frames safe when sending them off for scanning. But this is not a practical way to store them.

And yes - sometimes I would like to get rid of frames that are simply bad (shaken, wrong exposure or totally boring). ANd do not tell me that I just should stop taking them 🙂

They're numbered... Are you sure the X5 can't handle strips? From what I can see, it must be able to.

Yes, I always file strips in sixes for enlarging (B+W) or scanning (colour). Trying to enlarge single frames is a nightmare.

Why do you want to throw out the bad shots? They don't eat much or take up much space. Just ignore 'em. They won't go away, but they won't attack you either.

Cheers,

R.

 

[LKSC]

I use the type of fold-lock/ side lock sleeves mentioned by Tim Gray. They are made of polyester, are very tough and of archival quality.

Most drum scanning services will insist you provide them individual frames, unless every frame on the strip is being scanned.

However, my experience with Imacon scanning is that the operators prefer to have as much rebate around the frame to make securing the film in position easier. They usually ask that film be provided in strips of 2 or 3.

For this purpose (scanning on an Imacon), I put the trimmed strips of 2 or 3 in the foldlock/ sidelock sleeve, then put a post-it note on the sleeve to indicate the frame to be scanned.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I use the type of fold-lock/ side lock sleeves mentioned by Tim Gray. They are made of polyester, are very tough and of archival quality.

Most drum scanning services will insist you provide them individual frames, unless every frame on the strip is being scanned.

However, my experience with Imacon scanning is that the operators prefer to have as much rebate around the frame to make securing the film in position easier. They usually ask that film be provided in strips of 2 or 3.

For this purpose (scanning on an Imacon), I put the trimmed strips of 2 or 3 in the foldlock/ sidelock sleeve, then put a post-it note on the sleeve to indicate the frame to be scanned.

Drum, sure. But not Imacon X5. Why not just ask the scanner operator what the longest strip is that they can conveniently handle?

Cheers,

R.

 

[LKSC]

Roger, two Imacon operators I used both asked, ideally, for strips that are 2 frames long or 3 frames long. I understand it has something to do with the orientation of the standard holder. There is a special holder that can hold 6 frames, but it is not standard issue.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger, two Imacon operators I used both asked, ideally, for strips that are 2 frames long or 3 frames long. I understand it has something to do with the orientation of the standard holder. There is a special holder that can hold 6 frames, but it is not standard issue.

Dear Lloyd,

That's what I guessed. But maybe the OP's operator has the 6-frame holder. Or it might even be worth buying one, if they're not too expensive (deeply unlikely, I know, but worth considering).

Certainly, storing 3+3 frames (or even 3+2) in a neg sleeve designed for 6-frame strips, feeding one from each end, looks like the easiest way of filing to me if the scanner can't handle sixes.

For the OP: for neg files, see http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/mt print file.html

Cheers,

R.