4x5" Image area placement on film allingment

[Tom Kershaw]

Being new to 4x5", I've come across an issue with a few of my negatives that I've not experienced with 8x10" negatives. See:



My hunch is the film either wasn't loaded correctly or has moved out of position before exposure. Any comments?

Tom

Note: apologies for the spelling.

[BradS]

That looks like a pretty big angle. I'd guess that the film was not loaded properly. I am assuming that you're using modern film holders and that they are in good condition.

[Tom Kershaw]

That looks like a pretty big angle. I'd guess that the film was not loaded properly. I am assuming that you're using modern film holders and that they are in good condition.

Yes on the modern film holders. I find 4x5" is more challenging to load correctly than 8x10".

Tom

[BradS]

Yes on the modern film holders. I find 4x5" is more challenging to load correctly than 8x10".

Tom

I think 4x5 is harder than 8x10 because you have to be more accurate with the smaller film - especially in the angle of approach....

To convince yourself that it is a loading error you could take the negative with the misalignment, load it properly into one of your holders and wiggle it to see that there is no way that it could be that far off and still be properly between the rails. (does that make sense?)

[Tom Kershaw]

I think 4x5 is harder than 8x10 because you have to be more accurate with the smaller film - especially in the angle of approach....

To convince yourself that it is a loading error you could take the negative with the misalignment, load it properly into one of your holders and wiggle it to see that there is no way that it could be that far off and still be properly between the rails. (does that make sense?)

Do you youreself load the 4x5" film in a single motion once lined up correctly?

Tom

[Shawn Dougherty]

Yeah, looks like loading error to me as well. I just did this last week for the first time in years =( what are you gonna do. Luckily for me I made two exposures....

The suggestion to try recreating it with the developed sheet in a holder is a good one. Should answer things for certain. All the best. Shawn

[ic-racer]

I also find 8x10 easier to load than 4x5. I also agree with Shawn you image looks like mis-loaded film. (I have some like that too )

[BrianShaw]

For the image in the upper right of the proof sheet, one side (left) of the film was under the film-holding rail/track and the other (right) was above.

p.s. Brad's method of checking really works!

[DanielStone]

I've had this happen some times before. And it wasn't mis-loaded film. Some holders(I think the newer fidelity's IIRC), have some more "play room" for the film to move around than with the older holders, like the graflex ones w/ metal pull handles. those ones, the film don't budge.

but it might be misloaded film too, 8x10 is far easier for me to load in a dark room than 4x5, you can really use 2 hands

-Dan

[BradS]

Do you yourself load the 4x5" film in a single motion once lined up correctly?

Tom

Hmmm...loading 4x5 is all kinda automatic now....I guess I hold the sheet of 4x5 in my right hand, and feel for the edges of the film rails with thumb and index finger of my left. Holding the flap open with the ring finger of right hand , I introduce the edge of the film to the rails and slide it under the fingers part way. then, move right hand to trailing edge of film and push it in. The left hand is always feeling the edge of the film rails and as the film slides in, the left hand fingers are there - making sure that the film is under the rails. Before closing the flap, I kinda lift the trailing edge and, with left hand fingers still on the ends of the film rails, and verify again that the film is under the rails.


With 4x5 I think it is very easy to get one edge on top of the film rails without noticing it. I used to do this all the time...I've even had the damned sheet of film fall out in the camera when the dark slide is pulled!