Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:08 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00
Horseman,
Tombo asked the same question, and sent me an e-mail - unfortunately, it's been a while since I've been on the forum. However the method comes from Way Beyond Monochrome pp279-280, and I hope the following makes sense!
"As I say, the idea comes from 'Way Beyond Monochrome' (available from RH Designs amongst others) and it consists of getting a small metal ruler (mine is a thin 6-inch stainless steel rule cut down to 4 inches) and cutting 6 evenly-spaced v-shaped notches into it towards the middle, but this isn't critical as the rule is the pattern for the DDSs. The notches represent binary digits (1,2,4,8,16.32 etc.) working from the left - I've put a dymo tape with the numbers on to remind me. Next, take each DDS (I use Fidelity, but similar pattern ones will work the same) and number them up 1+2, 3+4, 5+6 etc. (again I use dymo numbers so that they don't rub off when cleaning the white strip for fresh notes) and hold it so the folding flap is towards the top and using your rule to mark which notches to cut in the slotted (i.e. side into which the darkside slots) to make the number of the holder in binary marks - about 3-4mm deep is plenty - carefully cut v- notches with sharp stanley knife on each edge (e.g. holder side 6 will have 2 notches, one at 2 and one at 4) - mark up all your DDSs and presto each negative will have a series of v-shaped notches on it which your rule will decode which holder it came out of - useful when establishing N for a given dev+film combo, or for identifying a problem holder.
Sounds complex, but is really very easy to do (well, chopping the notches in the DDSs without damaging the hinge tape or slicing yourself does take a sharp knife and sensible care!!).
Good luck, but the book is worth getting not just because the photos explain the system much better than I have! "
It's helped me match neg to notes on many an occasion!
Tombo asked the same question, and sent me an e-mail - unfortunately, it's been a while since I've been on the forum. However the method comes from Way Beyond Monochrome pp279-280, and I hope the following makes sense!
"As I say, the idea comes from 'Way Beyond Monochrome' (available from RH Designs amongst others) and it consists of getting a small metal ruler (mine is a thin 6-inch stainless steel rule cut down to 4 inches) and cutting 6 evenly-spaced v-shaped notches into it towards the middle, but this isn't critical as the rule is the pattern for the DDSs. The notches represent binary digits (1,2,4,8,16.32 etc.) working from the left - I've put a dymo tape with the numbers on to remind me. Next, take each DDS (I use Fidelity, but similar pattern ones will work the same) and number them up 1+2, 3+4, 5+6 etc. (again I use dymo numbers so that they don't rub off when cleaning the white strip for fresh notes) and hold it so the folding flap is towards the top and using your rule to mark which notches to cut in the slotted (i.e. side into which the darkside slots) to make the number of the holder in binary marks - about 3-4mm deep is plenty - carefully cut v- notches with sharp stanley knife on each edge (e.g. holder side 6 will have 2 notches, one at 2 and one at 4) - mark up all your DDSs and presto each negative will have a series of v-shaped notches on it which your rule will decode which holder it came out of - useful when establishing N for a given dev+film combo, or for identifying a problem holder.
Sounds complex, but is really very easy to do (well, chopping the notches in the DDSs without damaging the hinge tape or slicing yourself does take a sharp knife and sensible care!!).
Good luck, but the book is worth getting not just because the photos explain the system much better than I have! "
It's helped me match neg to notes on many an occasion!