How to Use Sheet Film Holders
Working with sheet film differs from working with roll film in a couple of ways. First, sheet film makes large-format negatives, usually 4 inches by 5 inches or 8 inches by 10 inches. The larger-sized negatives are able to capture more fine detail than a 35mm negative and can be used to make large prints with little visible grain in the printed image. Second, large-format negatives are exposed as individual sheets using a large-format camera rather than being exposed on a roll in a hand-held camera. To expose large-format sheets, they must be individually loaded into film holders, which are later loaded into the camera for exposure.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Set up a film-loading darkroom space. This space should be completely dry and completely dark. A roomy closet works well. Make sure no light comes in when the door is shut. Cover any light leaks with electrical tape if necessary.
-
2
Familiarize yourself with the film holder before attempting to load it. It's worth it to expose one sheet of film to use as a practice sheet if you've never loaded a film holder before. Be sure to open the box of film in pitch dark and to close it up after you remove the film.
-
-
3
Note the notches near one corner of the film sheet. When the notches are on your right side, the emulsion is facing you. Always load the film with the emulsion facing out.
-
4
Remove the panels, called dark slides, from each side of the film holder. Slide the practice sheet into the holder with the emulsion facing out. Replace the dark slides so that that each tab is on the upper right side when facing you. Make sure the film is covered. Remove the dark slides again, and set the practice sheet aside.
-
5
Place the film holder, dark slides and the box of film in your darkroom, arranged so that you'll be able to locate everything in the dark. Turn off the light and/or shut the door.
-
6
Open the film box in pitch dark and load a sheet on one side, exactly like you practiced it. Slide one dark slide over it. Load a second sheet on the other side and cover it with the other dark slide. Put the remaining film back into its light-safe box. Turn on the light and/or open the door.
-
7
Slide the film holder into the camera as directed by the manufacturer. The exposure time depends on the level of light, the bellows extension and the lens' f-stop setting. Once the time has been determined, remove the dark slide, and time your exposure using a stopwatch. As soon as the film is exposed, flip the dark slide so the that tab is on the left, and slide it over the film.
-
8
Flip the film holder and expose the second sheet. The exposed film holder should be identifiable by the flipped dark slides, which have a white strip across the top. The film is ready to be developed.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Don't rush things when using sheet film holders. This is a slower, more meticulous process than 35mm or digital photography.
You can skip the darkroom by using ready-to-load film sheets; follow the manufacturer's instructions for loading them into film holders.
Don't touch the film emulsion when loading film into the holder. Wear thin cotton gloves if necessary.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
