What method do you use to store your 4x5 negatives/positives

[David Evans]

I have a Kenro file with plastic sheets that hold four transparencies in landscape format (two rows of two transparencies). The file is good, but the sheets are useless, as the opening for inserting the transparencies in the top row is at the bottom (if that makes sense), and for inserting the bottom row the opening is at the top. So whenever I open the file most of the transparencies have slid out of the top row pockets and into the bottom row pockets (or vice versa)!
BUT maybe it's me - am I supposed to be taping the transparencies into the sleeves, and if so what with?
So I've been wondering what method other people are using?
The easiest and most cost effective is probably to keep them in the transparent sleeve they come back in from the lab (I use Peak Imaging) - will these be archival quality does anyone know?
At the moment these are in a box, so I need a system where I can attach my notes and find things easily, and also is easy to quickly view on a lightbox.
So I'd be interested to know how others are storing their transparencies, and where they get any materials used.
Ideally I'm looking for a 100% analogue system, and not one that involves scanning everything, and keeping a digital database. However if that's the only way then so be it!
Thanks.

[Charles Twist]

Hello,
My guess is that labs will use the cheapest they can find - not always the best therefore. However, I would question what damage would come from plastic which is meant to be non-biodegradable for a thousand years (or whatever the blurb). I am also unclear just what would damage a transparency based on dye technology as opposed to negatives based on metal chemistry .
Previous answers arehere .
My choice is Silverprint .
Best regards,
Charles

[timparkin]

I have a Kenro file with plastic sheets that hold four transparencies in landscape format (two rows of two transparencies). The file is good, but the sheets are useless, as the opening for inserting the transparencies in the top row is at the bottom (if that makes sense), and for inserting the bottom row the opening is at the top. So whenever I open the file most of the transparencies have slid out of the top row pockets and into the bottom row pockets (or vice versa)!
BUT maybe it's me - am I supposed to be taping the transparencies into the sleeves, and if so what with?
So I've been wondering what method other people are using?
The easiest and most cost effective is probably to keep them in the transparent sleeve they come back in from the lab (I use Peak Imaging) - will these be archival quality does anyone know?
At the moment these are in a box, so I need a system where I can attach my notes and find things easily, and also is easy to quickly view on a lightbox.
So I'd be interested to know how others are storing their transparencies, and where they get any materials used.
Ideally I'm looking for a 100% analogue system, and not one that involves scanning everything, and keeping a digital database. However if that's the only way then so be it!
Thanks.

I would recommend looking at Secol products (the main supplier to museum archival storage). The colour view sleeves have just enough room to mark a number on the edge.

http://www.secol.co.uk/COLOURVIEW.SHTML

I then use 4 pocket sleeves in an archival box. As for the archival properties of Peak's sleeves. I don't know but I do know they are tight enough to cause scratches on my transparencies if any dust gets trapped between. They also have a flexibility that suggests they contain some volatile hydrocarbons. Museums used to use pvc sleeves until they realised that they outgassed and bonded to the transparencies in cases of long term storage. I'm sure Peak's are ok, but not as sure as I am that secols are better.

http://www.secol.co.uk/ASPAGES.SHTML

Tim

[David Evans]

Thanks Charles and Tim
So looking at the link to Steve Gledhill's post, and Tim's links, am I right in thinking that Tim is using the SL0405C, and then filing these in the AS202P4SE four pocket pages?

[joolsb]

I like to flip through my pictures in a binder so I use the PrintFile four-pocket archival polyethylene system and insert my originals straight into the pockets without secondary enevelopes. These are then stored in standard A4 ring-binders:

http://www.printfile.com/45-4bpackageof100.aspx

[timparkin]

Thanks Charles and Tim
So looking at the link to Steve Gledhill's post, and Tim's links, am I right in thinking that Tim is using the SL0405C, and then filing these in the AS202P4SE four pocket pages?

yep thats right!

[Paul Mitchell]

I use the black 4 ring binders with slip case for the majority of my 35mm, MF & LF film storage, but use the Secol archival pages which is in direct contact with the film. http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product ... _id=101548

I will eventually upgrade to the archival boxes like Tim's sooner or later.

Nice guitar Tim BTW!

[David Evans]

Thanks Charles and Tim
So looking at the link to Steve Gledhill's post, and Tim's links, am I right in thinking that Tim is using the SL0405C, and then filing these in the AS202P4SE four pocket pages?

yep thats right!

Thanks Tim - absolutely clear how the system works now!

[David Evans]

I use the black 4 ring binders with slip case for the majority of my 35mm, MF & LF film storage, but use the Secol archival pages which is in direct contact with the film. http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product ... _id=101548

I will eventually upgrade to the archival boxes like Tim's sooner or later.

Nice guitar Tim BTW!

Paul

Thanks. That's exactly what I will do at the moment, as I already have the Kenro file.

[timparkin]

I use the black 4 ring binders with slip case for the majority of my 35mm, MF & LF film storage, but use the Secol archival pages which is in direct contact with the film. http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product ... _id=101548

I will eventually upgrade to the archival boxes like Tim's sooner or later.

Nice guitar Tim BTW!

Aha! Need to practise that more... Jazz lessons soon hopefully..

[Marizu]

I've been sticking the 5x4's into Jessops sleeves for 5x7 prints
I usually shoot B&W negatives.
I don't know if this is a good idea.

[Thingy]

I place each of my scanned trannies/negatives in a colourview sleeve which is then placed within an archival paper sleeve in a archival box, details below. I find the paper negative holders a very handy way to recording the data about the image. I also label each Secol sleeve so that if I take several out to show, I can easily locate the envelope they need to be returned to.

Secol sleeves: http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByG ... ?PrGrp=923

Archival Paper negative envelopes: http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByG ... ?PrGrp=940

Archival Cardboard storage boxes: http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByG ... ?PrGrp=940

Example:

Labelled Secol Colourview sample


Labelled negative envelopes:

Data:

• FRONT:
  ISO country code (2 letter): Region: Location
  Image Title
  Camera used
  Lens used
  Exposure
  GPS Lat Long position
  QL label on negative - Film used - other reference number

Front


Data:

• REVERSE:
  Scanner used
  resolution @ scanned size
  colour depth (bits)
  date scanned
  other reference number
  location file saved to

Reverse