Looking for 4 x 5 sheet film holders: I am Looking for 4 x 5 sheet film holders that are in good condition and not dirty internally. Hopefully reasonably priced. Thanks...

kcooke Loc: Alabama

I am Looking for 4 x 5 sheet film holders that are in good condition and not dirty internally. Hopefully reasonably priced. Thanks

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

kcooke wrote:

I am Looking for 4 x 5 sheet film holders that are in good condition and not dirty internally. Hopefully reasonably priced. Thanks

They are available from a few places new but they are expensive these days. Luckily for me I have all that I could ever need. I think I have about a dozen plastic ones bought new during the 1980s and many older woodens ones obtained used as well.

They should be available on eBay and from KEH, and perhaps from B&H and Adorama.

Minitman Loc: Centreville, Virginia

I have several holders including some the hold multiple sheets. PM me with phone number to discuss what I have and pricing

Rhl0630

I have 20 or more than what I need. Are you looking for any specific brand and how many do you need

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

The best film holders are made by Riteway. The dark slides are not made of plastic for good holders, they are Bakelite. There are rare beasts that have dark slides made from cold rolled steel, these will pull in freezing/humid weather and even work when wet.

The much older film holders had a metal cover over the light trap area that were secured with four flat head recessed screws. If you remove the four screws they metal plate can be lifted off and the light trap of cloth wrapped around a thin metal insides can be removed for cleaning or replacement. These are the absolute best because you can clean the holders easily, then placed back into their slots and the steel cover replaced and secured with the four screws.

Of you are going to seriously shoot sheet film you need to get a small compressor with fine point nozzle and 'clean every holder each time you load the holders with film. You can order replacement dark slides made of Bakelite. These are critical when using the film holders (with the exception of rolled steel dark slides, which serve the same advantage as Bakelite), Bakelite is technically a form of plastic BUT unlike many plastics, Bakelite does not acquire a static charge when drawn through the light trap so the holders will not become charged with static electricity which will attract dust on to the film and film holders.

To cut Bakelite to fit old holders, score along the long direction of the dark slide then flex along the score mark to snap the Bakelite. Then sand that surface and along the short side only use sand paper to shorten and round the corners of the slide.

Across the top of the of the slide will be a metal pull made of metal, it will have either davits or a set of raised bumps. This is to allow you to 'feel' that this is the side that has NOT been exposed as there are two pieces of film to a modern holder. Film holders have a silver side and a black side to the metal top pull handle, the silver is designated to mean NOT EXPOSED, while the black side indicates that the holder HAS BEEN EXPOSED. The white plastic rectangles should be written on with pencells, as ink will become permanent and pencil marks can easily be erased.

Last, Riteway film holders bear a number 1114 indicating that the film holder was safe for Infared film use (this included Kodak High Speed Infared film).

Hope that helps.

TKT Loc: New Mexico

How many do you want and what is a reasonable price to you? I have about 30 of them I think.
Please reply to tktincnm@msn.com
Thanks,

kcooke Loc: Alabama

lamiaceae wrote:

They are available from a few places new but they are expensive these days. Luckily for me I have all that I could ever need. I think I have about a dozen plastic ones bought new during the 1980s and many older woodens ones obtained used as well.

They should be available on eBay and from KEH, and perhaps from B&H and Adorama.

Thanks yes they are availeable on ebay as well as other places used.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Rhl0630 wrote:

I have 20 or more than what I need. Are you looking for any specific brand and how many do you need

I will be using them on a Burke and James Speed Press. I dont have a brand preference. PM me with what you have and price. Thanks

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks for the information. i appreciate it. I am getting started and dont care right now what they are made of. I plan to buy maybe 6 to start. If this tuns into something i like then I will probably get a newer camera with more movements.

Timmers wrote:

The best film holders are made by Riteway. The dark slides are not made of plastic for good holders, they are Bakelite. There are rare beasts that have dark slides made from cold rolled steel, these will pull in freezing/humid weather and even work when wet.

The much older film holders had a metal cover over the light trap area that were secured with four flat head recessed screws. If you remove the four screws they metal plate can be lifted off and the light trap of cloth wrapped around a thin metal insides can be removed for cleaning or replacement. These are the absolute best because you can clean the holders easily, then placed back into their slots and the steel cover replaced and secured with the four screws.

Of you are going to seriously shoot sheet film you need to get a small compressor with fine point nozzle and 'clean every holder each time you load the holders with film. You can order replacement dark slides made of Bakelite. These are critical when using the film holders (with the exception of rolled steel dark slides, which serve the same advantage as Bakelite), Bakelite is technically a form of plastic BUT unlike many plastics, Bakelite does not acquire a static charge when drawn through the light trap so the holders will not become charged with static electricity which will attract dust on to the film and film holders.

To cut Bakelite to fit old holders, score along the long direction of the dark slide then flex along the score mark to snap the Bakelite. Then sand that surface and along the short side only use sand paper to shorten and round the corners of the slide.

Across the top of the of the slide will be a metal pull made of metal, it will have either davits or a set of raised bumps. This is to allow you to 'feel' that this is the side that has NOT been exposed as there are two pieces of film to a modern holder. Film holders have a silver side and a black side to the metal top pull handle, the silver is designated to mean NOT EXPOSED, while the black side indicates that the holder HAS BEEN EXPOSED. The white plastic rectangles should be written on with pencells, as ink will become permanent and pencil marks can easily be erased.

Last, Riteway film holders bear a number 1114 indicating that the film holder was safe for Infared film use (this included Kodak High Speed Infared film).

Hope that helps.

The best film holders are made by Riteway. The dar... (show quote)

copladocus

I also have a number of them. Near mint condition. Direct email with your target price to docwhetstone@aol.com

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks for all of the replies. I have been out of pocket for a while. If you have holders For sale PM me photos and best price. Thank you

Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I sold my studio and have about 50 4x5 holders, excellent condition with 6mil poly bags to store in fridge or keep dust free.
Various makers, all excellent. Asking $9 each plus shipping.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks Paul. I’ve sent you a PM

Paul Moshay wrote:

I sold my studio and have about 50 4x5 holders, excellent condition with 6mil poly bags to store in fridge or keep dust free.
Various makers, all excellent. Asking $9 each plus shipping.

Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks, I didn't get PM, send email to paulmoshay at gmail dot com Thanks Paul

Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I have just what you need. I have about 50 4x5 holders in EX condition, various makes and sell for $9.00 each plus shipping. see my ad in the Sale section.
Thanks, Paul