Fingers and Film

While I load the 4x5 sheets into the film holders I cannot help but get my fingers on the film. By the time I am finished I am sure the film is riddled with fingerprints, even though none are seen when I get the developed sheets. Still, I wonder if I am doing something wrong in my loading technique Since everything is done by the sense of touch alone wearing gloves is not an option unless someone can suggest a special pair.

Maybe I am being bothered over nothing but I feel clumsy having my fingers all over the film. Any suggestions? Thank you for your response.

Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

No problem at all. Fingerprints are rinsed off by the developing solution.

Will,

When I load holders I hold the sheet by its long edges between thumb and forefinger, and then carefully slide it into the holder. I am very careful to have clean/dry hands and my fingernails are trimmed. While a finger print will usaually be removed in the developing process, a scratch is forever.

-PB

Thank you, Danny. I now know my fingerprints are washed away. Apparently the emulsion is not affected.

Preston, to minimize handling the film I am going to be careful to follow your suggestion. I may need to get a changing tent for that. Right now I am using a bag with sleeves for my hands. Thank you.

Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Danny is right. Unless you have some serious dirt on your fingers (think motor oil or paint), I wouldn't worry about it. If it's just minor "clean" fingerprints you will not see the effects in your image.

Guy

I only touch my film at the edges with my fingertips though understand it probably does not matter. However out in the field my hands can get pretty dirty and water is not always available. When I change film in my film bag, I'm used to putting a white nylon clean room glove on my right hand while my left hand is ungloved. Thus do most of the holding work with the right while I do the feeling with my left. I'm pretty fast unloading and reloading film. Anyone who is working with prints ought to have synthetic white gloves but be careful where you buy them from. Photo supplies companies usually charge several times what industrial distributers charge to medical and hi tech lab buyers. ...David

If you are worried about something jumping onto your film, you might try to use purple nitrile gloves. I use those for dark room stuff, since they are quite chemical resistant. They are very thin, so feeling is very positive through them. But that being said, I use bare hands and never had a problem.

Marko

Thank you all. I could use gloves and I like your suggestion of the nitrile gloves, Marko. Would using gloves increase the likelihood of inadvertently loading two sheets at once? Sheets can cling together when they are in the box. Dave, your one-glove idea might be helpful in that regard.

But all being said, there is no real problem after all. As long as I keep my hands clean.

Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Using two pairs of gloves in a change bag no matter what type of glove is likely a recipe for holder loading screw ups. Just too easy to grab two sheets at once or insert the sheets into the dark slide slot instead of the film slot. I haven't made a mistake in loading film in ages. Found my a link to cheap nylon white lab gloves.

http://www.shopbrodart.com/shop/cb/product.aspx?pgid=3013