How to load 4x5 film holders for large format photography.

How to load 4x5 film and large format film into holders. Tips on how to handle the film and carry the holders in the field.

[@pdarnold481]

Finally, a lesson on not only how to load the film holders, but how to bring the film out from the box to the holder. Amen.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks!

[@russellsprout2223]

Sheer class. Brilliant video and beautiful images. Thanks for uploading. Atb.

[@thevidyou]

Thank you for a good straightforward presentation without needless hype. I've subscribed.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect, what I want to hear, thank you.

[@xesse1]

The best tutorial i've seen so far, thanks for actually showing the film in the box

[@KandiKlover]

Welcome

[@Mike_to_the_k]

Thanks for being so quick and concise. I just loaded 4 sheets for the first time using your video. 👌

[@toddkorolphoto]

Great to hear!

[@nikolarudic5349]

This couldn't be any better, thank you so much 🤗

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect! Thanks.

[@jamesmoore9511]

Nice video - but you forgot to mention the "brail bumps" on the dark slide (white side only). Do keep up the interesting work. WoW! that fuji change room is absolutely fabulous looking, wish I had one.

[@mdrewpix1]

I have another dust-related tip that I just remembered from my old film days. And that is, don’t use too hard of a blast of air to blow the holders off. Those compressed air cans fire at a high enough velocity that, in dry conditions, can cause static electricity to build up on the holders just by the action of the air flowing across the surface. Which, of course, attracts dust. Best to use the rocket blowers instead.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Great tip as well!

[@motorvelo]

A pleasure to watch. There are many how to videos on this subject giving absolutely crap information. Black slide forward, white slide forward, film notches top right or bottom left!! I shot large format commercial and often had to manage 30plus dark slides loaded with three types of film often loading all at the same time in the dark room. One thing we very very rarely did was clean the slides. If dust is in a crevice in the slide leave it there and don’t disturbed it.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Those were the days. I saw some huge operations when they shot just sheet film, it was amazing.

[@motorvelo]

@@toddkorolphoto yes and we had to shoot and move on without seeing the final shot. Lots of film so we could push/pull exposure in the processing. Now I see large format is mainly the real of enthusiasts being given tips on how to by those who quite frankly don’t know their tilt from the their rise!

[@mcmillanvideos]

One thing I'd suggest on a how to video like this is to show how to recover/notice what's going wrong... When I used to load sheet film, sometimes I'd slide it into the same groove as the slide. Then the dark slide would bind when I tried to close it... Goofy stuff like that will usually fix itself the first time you do it. But I think people watching this might benefit from what could go wrong. The biggest waste is loading the film wrong. I've missed a few exposures because the notches were wrong. When you look at the film, you look through it with notches on the left.. but exposure is on the right. etc... Regardless, your advice is fantastic. You have a good system. Consistency is definitely key. And that comes from practice. Thanks for the video!

[@ejmphotodotcom]

I really appreciate the way you teach. Straightforward and informative, this is the third video in a row I watched. Excuse me while I start on my third. God Bless.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you, appreciate it.

[@alanwilliams9842]

Thanks for doing this series. I'm looking forward to future installments.

[@mikemalloy1681]

Thanks for this video.

[@toddkorolphoto]

You're welcome

[@joaopedrofilipe1016]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate what you're doing here!

[@dylangergutierrez]

Thanks, I've been shooting 4x5 for awhile but the tape trick is the kind of thing that I never thought of, but is so obvious in hindsight!

[@hassyguy]

Very to the point without a lot of fluff. Great job 👌

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect, great to hear, thanks.

[@pedromeza2398]

Thank for a very good information of loading large format film holders, like that you pointed practice and practice until you develop the muscle memory.

[@landesnorm]

Korol--nice succinct, informative video on loading sheet film. However, when I was assisting and later in my own studio, I added two more steps. Instead of inserting the dark slides half way, I would insert them only a couple centimeters so that I could check that the the film would seat properly all the way around. This I did so the film wouldn't rest slightly under hinged gate nor possibly slip. Also, even though I vacuumed all my holders, I would inspect them before I bought them for particles of dust that would be trapped in the black lacquer on the film planes. Lisco and Riteway holders sometimes had these defects, and those embedded dust particles would scratch the film base. Changing bags have come long way since I was working, and the old cloth ones I always felt were dust traps.

[@earlmccowen5197]

Thanks for making these videos! Although I am not likely to begin large format photography, I do enjoy learning what is involved. You make the process very clear. I have a Hasselblad 500 C/M that was given to me by a dear friend and that is large enough for me. Keep up the fine work!

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Yep. The Northern climates in winter. ☆Dry!☆ Well, when the outside temperature drops way below freezing, moisture is not supported. I lived in Norway for 18 years.. Winter: Low humidity, static electricity, and dust. Good one Todd. 👌

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes those dry climates just kill large format film in holders.

[@Frantixj]

Very useful info, thank you! Didnt know what to expect when opening a pack of 4x5 film, now I know :)

[@brianweight7148]

Love the video I managed to get the Fuji film changing tent what a difference it makes it so much easier

[@KandiKlover]

I love it for historical preservation and really nice flat images with prominent background that come from shooting a 135mm but with the field of view of wider lens without the distortion.

[@silekiernanphotography]

Thanks for making these videos Todd!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks for watching!!

[@user-tn1bv1dx2w]

Very useful tips for beginners, appreciate it!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Excellent. Thanks!

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Excellent tutorial!!!

[@martinjones2635]

Interesting and useful. I'm shooting a pinhole camera onto orthochromatic photo paper, so have the luxury of a safelight, but am new to 4x5. The simple and logical process flow is super useful - thank you Todd 🙂

[@lelaa.8009]

Thank you very much!

[@toddkorolphoto]

You’re welcome, hope it helps.

[@RinkVideo]

Thanks for making these videos! Fantastic.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks, more on the way!

[@AnastasTarpanov]

Very useful video, thank you for sharing it. Hope I will start with large format soon.

[@haderimouve3499]

Howwwww Todd !!! Your tutorials are Gold mine for me ! Thanks so much ! All the best from Madrid.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect. Thanks so much!!

[@brineb58]

All good advice!!! thanks!!!

[@MandyMichels]

Thank you for this! I've recently acquired a 4x5 camera (I've been using 35mm and medium format, collectively, for 20+ years) and it is a whole new world for me! Your video is extremely helpful, professional, and clear. Much appreciated 🙂

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect, glad it helped you out. Welcome to the large format world! ;-)

[@jimwlouavl]

Thanks for this and your many practical tips.

[@toddkorolphoto]

So glad this helped.

[@HamiltonWard]

Awesome video, thank you!

[@otroargentinocamioneroenes5805]

I don’t understand why someone 👎 this video, was great to me, thanks!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you for watching. Good luck. 👍

[@singlended]

Excellent.

[@Noiiice]

The tape is SUCH a great idea!!!

[@toddkorolphoto]

👍👍

[@adamb9931]

this was great. thank you!

[@JarendotReed]

Thank you so much for making this video!

[@toddkorolphoto]

You’re welcome.

[@flojeune]

So good! Thanks!

[@imageswestcanada]

Great stuff, Todd! This video reminded me of my first-ever outing with a 4x5 camera, when I had loaded all of my film backwards... but I can laugh about it now.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks Cliff! I get requests all the time to explain this to people starting out as they know I shoot a lot of large format, so I figured I'd just finally make a video and then direct them here. Glad you like it, more coming, cheers!

[@raybeaumont7670]

Excellent - very informative.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you. 🍻

[@etienneschramm83]

The "mirrorless" bag... Technically, it fits...

[@CornetHornet91]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Great, thanks for watching!

[@carlomaccheroni]

Helped me a lot!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Awesome. Love to hear that.

[@QARIB_JEWELRY]

Nice video👌

[@StefanoGabelli]

Thank You!

[@GONZOFAM7]

Thanks for the lesson. Loading is a sinch compared to getting them out without scratching. The negative seems tough to pick out whether 4x5 or 2 1/4 x 3 1/4.

[@cinemaipswich4636]

As a boy, 60 years ago, in the dark, I had to learn how to wind my film onto a 35mm Spiral holder, and put it in a development tank.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes I did and continue to do many of those. It’s a skill.

[@Gaasserocker]

Thanks a lot!

[@volodymyrvoznyy]

Thanks for this video!!! My first 4х5 Linhof goes to me...

[@toddkorolphoto]

Very exciting!!

[@chrishestand1032]

I got lucky with my Crown. It came with 9 holders and all of them had old sheets in them so I could practice all I wanted without messing with good film.

[@user-kcrpine]

f.64 cases on Amazon. $24 shipped and nicely hold five 4x5 holders or six in a pinch. Better yet is two come with their very large backpack for around $160 with prime.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Those cases are nice, I like them.

[@Foxglove963]

Use first finger and thumb to guide the film into correct position in the filmholder.

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@DIGIT9]

Awesome vid. If you plan on doing more I was wondering if you could talk about any books you like? Looking for a little inspiration but there's so much out there that I don't even know where to start.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Will do, stay tuned!

[@Michael-w8v]

I believe the notch is also for ensuring it is facing the right way when developing sheet film in the JOBO tank.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Indeed it is, good point.

[@jameslabeck6407]

Loaded my first five holders last night. What a joke I am! It was tough. I was sweating bullets. It will be interesting to see what I got right. If fingerprints are a problem, I will have a problem. Oh well, the journey has begun.

[@IgnacioAlvarez]

The notches also tell you which side is the emulsion, so you do not load the film base forward. I take the holder in my hands open the holder and fill for the notches on the top right since I hold the holders the long way up.

[@OllyHitchen]

I’ve got a real interest in large format but have never even seen a sheet of film, so a huge thanks from me for putting together a great, informative video!! Thanks, it’s greatly appreciated! 😀

[@toddkorolphoto]

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@PAULFROCCHI]

Thanks for this Todd. Huge help in getting comfortable loading film holders. The big question...is there a 'trick' to get the film OUT of a 4x5 holder. ha! I can't seem to find an elegant way to get the sheet OUT of the damn holder. I just can't seem to get it past the flip down part of the tray, so I end up putting a fingernail on the edge, and applying pressure until it releases. At times, the nail slips and I scratch the emultion. NO BIG DEAL right now, as I'm learning and not shooting anything other than tests, but, I can't imagine my process is the right way...ha! Thanks in advance to you or your followers for suggestions.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I feel for the notches, it’s easier to get under the notches and get the film out. Hope that helps.

[@Foxglove963]

Standard filmholders have a circular depression in the base, this enables to slide your nail underneath to lift the film and pull it out at the edge. Simples!

[@I-SelfLordAndMaster]

Could you give a link to the film holder bags, please thank-you for the great video.

[@johnjewell219]

👍👏

[@bluzizalright]

Hey! That's I load my holders - were you looking over my shoulders in my darkroom? :) In all seriousness, you explained the process very well - I am sharing the video with "my students".

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect, great to hear!

[@donk.johnson7346]

just the way I was taught back in the 60's! I use a anti static brush, like the one I use in the darkroom. Do they even make them anymore? Also, try not to touch the emulsion with your fingers, wash and dry your hands before loading your film.

[@nitinb9202]

Great help video, and certainly, cause it has no product sale link involved.

[@toddkorolphoto]

nitin b Well I understand. Some people do not want any sales links, and other times I get requests for links to stuff, so I have started to put it In some.

[@retromograph3893]

Thanks for this! By the way, you should have rotated the overhead shot 180 degrees, then it would have been POV and the tabs would have actually been bottom right!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yeah I know. Dumb mistake on my part. Just when I was starting KZbin.

[@magnusa.5599]

👍🏼🙏🏼

[@yasumotonoboru]

Very helpful. Would have been even better if the loading of the film (4:37) had been from the POV of the person doing it and not upside down.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I know my mistake. Going to do another one.

[@FF-ur9fy]

Very good video! Greetings from Ukraine! (Korol is also a Ukrainian surname).

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks. Yes it sure is, my wife and I were supposed to come to the Ukraine this past year, but obviously couldn't, we are going to try and make it there in the next year or two to see where our grandparents came from. Best wishes.

[@jackyleecs]

Thank you so much for the video. I had always thought each holder is only for 1 sheet film. When the notch is on the lower righ corner, does it mean the emulsion side is facing up?

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes when you have the sheet of film in your hand, and the notch is in the lower right hand corner the emulsion is facing you.

[@Francisco-ri3mg]

Great video! Just came across your channel, very useful. What's the name of this bag for carrying 8 film holders?

[@toddkorolphoto]

Francisco Gonzalez Gnass gear, they are not made anymore buy you can sometimes find them on eBay.

[@truthsayers8725]

i just got a 1955 Crown Graphic and took it out with a Singer 6x7 roll film adapter. the range finder doesnt seem to be connected so it was graflok back with the ground glass to focus, set my exposures (using a Weston Master III meter), swap to the roll film back make an image. wash rinse repeat for all 10 images. the Speed Graphic was NOT very speedy!!! thanks! i have to get some sheet film holders and then raid the 401k to pay for processing. ive gotten out of souping negs and printing about 30 years ago...

[@chipblock2854]

Thank so much! I just bought a used 4x5 and lens. All I need now is a good tripod and film. Do you have to worry very much about finger prints on the film? I noticed you were handling more then just the very edges. Or was just for demonstration. Lastly, when you send film out to be developed do they send back the negative or the E6 slide? Or is it scanned to a CD? Thanks.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I always wash my hands and make sure they are completely dry before touching film. Generally it's best to touch just the edges of the film. They will always send you back the negative, depending on the lab you send it to they might be able to do a scan for you but you need to request a scan from them if they do it. And there is a charge for the scan as well. Thanks for watching.

[@PassCookie]

7:33 you probably already know this but you can turn those 2 little metal things so it goes over the end of the darkslide so it can't open. No tape needed.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes you can, but, when you are dealing with a bunch of holders in a bag they almost always get turned the wrong way and the slide accidentally comes up. Trust me, it has happened many times until I went to tape. 😉

[@PassCookie]

@@toddkorolphoto good to know, thank you.

[@livelongandprosper70]

black tab white tab ?? your not being very clear, are the tabs sticky labels ? are they changeable in some way ? do you flip them over ??? im at a loss

[@melaninxhalide1165]

I’m a little confused. In the video you say the notches go in the bottom-right hand corner of the holder, but the above vantage of the video looks as if the notches are on the bottom-left as you load the sheet into the holder (bottom-left being the side of the holder closest to your right hand and bottom-right being the side of the holder farthest from your right hand - 6m05sec mark of the video). So are we supposed to load on the bottom-left or the bottom-right? 🤣

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes sorry that was the reverse angle overhead shot. But if you look at it when I am looking down holding the film, the notches are in the bottom right hand corner and then slide into the holder.

[@anaraluca1181]

What is the logic in having 5 holder based on that a box has 10 sheets? We use holders exactly for the reason of usign different type of film. If I want to use only one type, than I get a readyload. Also not every film comes packed as 10 sheets.

[@BonsaiBrandy]

What prevents the flap which allows you to put the film in the holder from opening once the holder is loaded?

[@toddkorolphoto]

When you slide the dark slide in to cover the film, then end goes into the flap so it can't open.

[@arnolfini1434]

Make sure you do not touch the film surface when loading and unloading.

[@jnrickards]

If you take notes on each shot, how do you relate your notes to the image? This might not be an issue if you take 2 shots, one of a mountain and one of a lake but what about different exposures or 2 views of the same lake?

[@motorvelo]

Number each slide.

[@decoff]

any chance you can provide a link for the folding bag, I cant find one online. Thanks

[@toddkorolphoto]

I use this on the road amzn.to/2O4f9Dn, but there are these as well which are great. amzn.to/2YDprw5

[@decoff]

@@toddkorolphoto I meant the holding bag for the film. Thanks

[@michaelarellano3434]

@@decoff I was also trying to find the bag and found the spelling to be gnassgear or gnass gear. I found an ebay listing that called it "Gnass gear 4X5 film holder cascade carrier for up to 10 holders" ( www.ebay.com/itm/274645537814?_ul=BY ). Sorry if this is a bit late.

[@Tbonyandsteak]

What about the film box, can it be unboxed in the dark?

[@toddkorolphoto]

It all has to be done in complete darkness. I did it in the light just as a demonstration.

[@RustyTube]

I have a question. You showed a box of 10 films and you took a black pouch thing out of it. You showed us how you took a film out of it. Later you talked, then you took one final film out of the black pouch and placed it in the other side of the film holder. And the question is, was there one black pouch in the box which just happened to have two films left in, or are there five separate pouches, each with just two sheets of film? The reason I ask is, I am wondering if I need to buy a box of 10 Ilford films or a box of 50 Fomapan films for this practice. The Fomapan is cheaper per sheet of film, Ilford is cheaper per box. I started photography almost 60 years ago with Foma film (I grew up in Czechoslovakia, where it was made), so I would rather start working with Fomapan, but if in the process of learning how to load a film holder requires me to ruin the first film, I would like to know if it means ruining the whole box of film (in which case Ilford would cost less) or ruining just two sheets of film (so I could just buy a box of Fomapan, where the box costs more even if individual sheets cost less). Thanks.

[@alexandrevaz941]

You don't need to ruin anything. But you can chose to burn one sheet of film to practice either from a 10 or a 50 sheet box.

[@RobertWilliamssoonerpa]

Help! Is it just me or are you putting the notch on the bottom LEFT in the video???

[@carlosenriquez2092]

Ok so I've agreed to buy my friends chimonix 4x5 but the sob refuses to part with his lenses despite the fact that he's moving to I believe an 18x24 chimonix ???. Can you do a video about 4x5 lenses for uninitiated virgins like me. I've had plenty of dslrs I am not a pro and I'm a bit nervous about having the right gear.

[@testarosso1368]

The notches are in the lower left at 5.35 - I’m confused here

[@toddkorolphoto]

It’s just the reverse angle on the video. If you look at the thumbnail photo. When the film slides into the holder, the notches have to be on the bottom and last to go in.

[@joonamato]

You keep saying notches in the lower right, but you're putting em in the lower left, right?

[@toddkorolphoto]

Notches on the lower right of the film.

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

todd not all boxes of 4x5 film is just 10 sheets what about ilfords that are 20 sheets @Todd Korol

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes indeed, I loved the 20 sheet boxes of Fuji, unfortunately they only make one film stock now with that, Provia 100F.

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

@@toddkorolphoto i get that but it be worth trying illford and see how it goes

[@concorde2003]

Your overhead shots need to be rotated 180 degrees.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I know, mistake on my part :-(

[@DaveYuhas]

You SAID notches at bottom right, but you SHOWED notches at bottom left.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Sorry I just noticed that, that is the reverse angle from up high looking at me. But, if you are standing with the film and then looking at how I show it in the other angle, if you are holding a sheet of film, and going to slide it into the holder, as I said, the notches go in the bottom right. I will remember that reverse angle for next time, hope I didn't confuse you too much. ;-)

[@DaveYuhas]

@@toddkorolphoto Sorry but your reply is very confusing. To make a long story short, when I insert the film with the notches end up in the upper right corner of the holder; lower left works too. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZW6fGuslteketE or kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWamlnp3h5ZjgZI.

[@livelongandprosper70]

STOP putting background music to videos with *narration* .. it ONLY makes it HARDER to hear what you are saying and is VERY distracting ... EVERYONE STOP DOING THIS.. we are NOT here to listen to music !!