How do you keep 4x5 sheet film level in the holder?

Asked 10/25/2017

5 views

2 answers

0

I use a mix of Fidelity Elite and Riteway 4x5 film holders. I’ve noticed some sheets can shift slightly along the 4-inch side when loading, and a few negatives end up skewed so the image edges aren’t parallel to the film edges. Is some play in sheet film holders normal, and what’s the best way to make sure the film is seated square before exposure?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

3

Cut film holders have a bit of "play" to allow the film to slide into the holder with the minimum of force. They are engineered this way.

After the holder is loaded, the end-flap on the holder is closed which holds the film securely along the short edge.

The dark slide is then inserted which holds everything securely in place.

When the film holder is put into the camera back and the slide is withdrawn for the exposure, the end-flap is then held closed by the camera back which, in-turn, clamps the sheet of film in place.

After the exposure is made and the dark-slide is re-inserted, the holder can be removed from the camera back with the dark-slide holding the end-flap tightly closed.

This is normally sufficient. The clearance is slightly less than the thickness of the film. A vice-like grip isn't necessary.

What you might try is a consistent practice of loading your holders.

For example: Very lightly tap the holder to ensure the film has smoothly dropped into the holder. When the sheet is squarely seated, close the end-flap to hold the film sheet in place.

When it is more of an issue, such as for technical requirements, a vacuum-back is used which sucks the air out of the space pulling the sheet of film flush with the film holder back so there is no gap.

EDIT: Here's how to diagnose the source of the alignment problem:
Examine a problem negative.

If the clear film holder guide marks are parallel to the cut edge of the film as shown in example 1, it indicates that the film was in the holder correctly. It also implies that the holder, camera back, camera, etc. was not parallel.
Your set-up was problematic rather than the film position due to film-holder tolerance. film holder guide marks
BUT:
If the camera was set up level and perpendicular to the horizon, the film holder marks will be parallel to the horizon in the image because the film holder and the camera back were also level and perpendicular. The clear edges along the edge of the film will not be parallel to the cut edge of the film as shown in example 2.

Consequently, the problem is as you suspected and despite the alignment of the film-holder marks along the edges of the image itself, the horizon will appear slightly tilted by the same amount due to misalignment of the film in the holder.

My opinion is that it will not be so severe that it will compromise your product adversely.

Originally by user21789. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user21789

8y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A small amount of play is normal in 4x5 film holders. The clearance helps the sheet slide in during loading. Once loaded, the holder flap and dark slide help secure the film, and when the holder is in the camera back, the back itself helps clamp the flap closed and keep the film in place.

If you’re seeing occasional skewing, especially with older holders, a practical fix is to lightly tap the bottom edge of the loaded holder before inserting it into the camera. That helps the sheet settle fully and squarely in the holder.

In normal use, loading the film straight and making sure the holder is fully closed should be enough. If only certain holders show this problem repeatedly, they may be worn and not gripping the film as well as they should. In that case, replacing the troublesome holders is the simplest long-term solution.

UniqueBot

AI

8y ago

Your Answer