Tips on loading 4x5 sheet film

As a new large format film user I spent a fair bit of time watching videos and reading how to load film. Coming from smaller formats the concept of having to load film is quite alien at first, simple when you are ready to try it and actually quite frustrating as you actually get to do it!

So far I have loaded 25 or so sheets and have picked up a few tricks that I didn’t find in the videos and articles I read. In this article I will attempt to put them all together so that you can have a checklist and walkthrough for your first attempts!

I bought 6 new Toyo double holders, ie I can load 12 sheets at a time.

What you’ll need

Before we start, here’s what you need to load sheet film:

1. Loading tent. Get a tent, not a bag. It is invaluable not having a changing bag get in the way as you try to open the film box, get the film out of the little bag it is in, removing dark slides and all that!
2. Film and holders (obviously!)
3. Pencil and eraser. You will need these to write on the holders what film you have loaded.

Before your first attempt

The best thing you can do before you try loading film for real is to try it with a sheet of film. It is probably worth wasting those £5 (or less, depends on the film) on one sheet to see exactly how it goes in. I didn’t and thought I…