I have a very dumb question...

PatrickT

PatrickT

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...please don't laugh 🙂

So I purchased a Speed Graphic off of craigslist this weekend as a way to get my feet wet in 4x5 and see if I'll actually take to it. The seller was kind enough to give me about 70 sheets of expired (but refrigerated) film for me to mess with as well as spending some time with me to show me how to work it. I decided to try the camera out with some of the film...went into a dark closet, loaded the film into the film holder and took two shots. Here's where I'm stuck...

I've got the film in the film holder. Now what do I put it in to take it to the lab? I have the box and bag it came in...but those have unused film in them still. Should I just bring the film holder to the lab?

Sorry...very dumb question I realize 🙂

Patrick
 
drew.saunders said:
You can bring the holders, but you'll be better off with an empty film box. As you get into LF, you'll accumulate a collection of empties, but, for now, ask here: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/index.php
to see if anyone has a spare box. Someone on this forum might have one as well. I gave away my spares recently, sorry, and need the ones I have.
Click to expand...

Of course, that makes sense. No wonder I don't have one 🙂 Thanks! For now, I'll just bring the film holder (planning on dropping them off tomorrow).

Thanks!
 
Oy. Given what you say, yes, just take the holder to your lab. They will take care of it in their dark room. But labs are obscenely expensive - you need to learn to do it yourself unless you're shooting C41 or E6 sheets (mmmm... 4x5 transparencies ... Yummy!)

Do you have a changing bag? Or just something the camera came in? You'll need at least a changing bag and a peterson type tank for development. Do you ever make it to Madison? I'd be happy to show you the rest of the process.

William
 
I'm not sure how the 70 sheets you got are packaged, and I don't know how many film holders you have. But if your film is in boxes of 10, just wait until you've shot 10 sheets (if you have 5 holders). Otherwise, you could try and squeeze two boxes worth of film into one box, leaving you with an empty.

When you take film in to the shop in a box make sure you have them attach a note to the lab saying you absolutely want the box back.
 
Go ahead and bring the holder to the lab, it's cruel to ask someone who just got started to wait until 10 sheets 🙂 plus you need to know quickly if your Speed Graphics are light tight, and has a working shutter.

Any professional lab worth their salt know how to handle 4x5 holders. And you would know who those are when they say "yes, we can help you with that."

And no, they won't steal it or dirty it, or mess it up.

Having said that, ask about the above matters. Gauge how comfortable they are handling 4x5 holders. Even good labs has to hire new people sometime.
 
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