Noob question about opening 4x5 film

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Mark2000

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Hi, all. Was looking for this everywhere and couldn't find an answer. I just wanted to confirm something about how 4x5 sheet film like portra 160 is packed. Are all 10 sheets in one light tight bag or are they all individually wrapped? If the first, will the box keep them light tight once the bag is opened or do I need to load all that film into 5 holders at once? Thanks!
 
Most I'm familiar with are not individually wrapped. Some are double boxed (or were) with the film in a bag as well.
 
Should be all the film inside one bag in a double box. There may or may not be a piece of cardboard on top of the film.
 
I opened up the portra box. It is a double box with the film in a sealed bag that, as far as I can tell, cannot be resealed. I see from the video and all of your answered that all the sheets are naked in that one bag. So my question is, can I load, say, just two of the frames in a holder and pack the rest into the double box and expect it to be light tight, or do I need to load all that film in one sitting?
 
Mark2000 said:
I opened up the portra box. It is a double box with the film in a sealed bag that, as far as I can tell, cannot be resealed. I see from the video and all of your answered that all the sheets are naked in that one bag. So my question is, can I load, say, just two of the frames in a holder and pack the rest into the double box and expect it to be light tight, or do I need to load all that film in one sitting?
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Put the excess film back in the bag, back in the double box. This has worked fine for me for over 40 years. In fact, the double box without the bag has always worked too, but the bag is there, so I use it.

Cheers,

R.
 
And you do know the correct way to place the film in the film holder so that the coated side faces the lens (when film holder is installed on the camera back ) ? Peter
 
Moto-Uno said:
And you do know the correct way to place the film in the film holder so that the coated side faces the lens (when film holder is installed on the camera back ) ? Peter
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Dear Peter,

And choose holders, and clean them, and distinguish between exposed and unexposed film, and...

There's a piece on rogerandfrances.com with all this and more, including step-by-step pictures.

Cheers,

R.
 
Mark, note particular mention of the notching on 4x5 sheet film. Once you read this and get use to the notch, you will be able to load as a blind man would have to.
 
afaik and based on my Kodak film, the film is in a sealed foil/paper bag that has to be cut open. there's not enough pouch to fold over. I'd be asking around to see if anyone has triple boxes as well. I've had film, out of bag, loose in a triple box with no probs in room light.
 
Don't throw away your empty boxes...use them to store your exposed film if you happen to send it out for developing or if you need to reload your film holders...place it back in the envelope, then in the triple box...just be as careful with it when handling...
 
Mark2000 said:
Hi, all. Was looking for this everywhere and couldn't find an answer. I just wanted to confirm something about how 4x5 sheet film like portra 160 is packed. Are all 10 sheets in one light tight bag or are they all individually wrapped? If the first, will the box keep them light tight once the bag is opened or do I need to load all that film into 5 holders at once? Thanks!
Click to expand...

To confirm : all in the one plastic bag in the one box. Cant speak for Portra but others have plain card top and bottom and sheets of film between.

Yes, the box and bag will keep them light tight. Either alone will do and the combination is a good safety factor.

As mentioned, get your head around how you orient the film with notch. Make sure all necessary hardware is in darkroom or changing bag.

And the same at the other end: unload with the same care.
 
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