I am just starting to use my Crown Graphic camera and need help in loading film. I have several 4X5 film holders, but am unsure about how to load film in them. Can some of you experienced users help me, can you give me a simple (?) step by step instruction?
Thanks
Ken

There are several different types of film holders for your camera. I will assume you are talking about the standard double sided film holders. First and foremost, clean your holders meticulously to avoid dust on your film. Pay special attention to the light trap in the slot where the dark slide (s) go in. Blow 'em out with air. Now, you're ready to load. This must be done in absolute total darkness - pull the slide (s) out half way. You can do that in the light before you open the film box. Take out a sheet of film (in the dark) and feel for the identifying notches on one end. When the notches are on the upper right, the emulsion is facing you. Fold the end flap on the holder down and slide the sheet of film into the little retaining guides with the emulsion side facing you. This may take some practice as it has to be done accurately by feel. Fold the end flap closed and push in the slide. Repeat on the other side. There, you've done one.
It's a good idea to practice loading in the light until you are comfortable with it. Use a scrap sheet or waste a new one. You will notice the pull tabs on the slides have a silver side and a black side. This is the universal way of telling whether the film has been exposed. Silver= unexposed and ready. Black= exposed. You should put the slides so they are silver facing out before going into the dark. To use, focus the camera, set shutter speed and aperture, make SURE the shutter is closed, insert the holder, pull the slide, expose, put the slide back in black side out. Last rule and most important -- have fun!

Check here:
http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm

It's the best explanation of film holder loading I ever found. He's got some other good info on his site too worth looking at!

Quote:

On 2004-11-18 19:09, RichS wrote: Check here: http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm It's the best explanation of film holder loading I ever found. He's got some other good info on his site too worth looking at!

It really is exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks so much for the link
Ken

Quote:

On 2004-11-18 18:08, glennfromwy wrote: There are several different types of film holders for your camera. I will assume you are talking about the standard double sided film holders. First and foremost, clean your holders meticulously to avoid dust on your film. Pay special attention to the light trap in the slot where the dark slide (s) go in. Blow 'em out with air. Now, you're ready to load. This must be done in absolute total darkness - pull the slide (s) out half way. You can do that in the light before you open the film box. Take out a sheet of film (in the dark) and feel for the identifying notches on one end. When the notches are on the upper right, the emulsion is facing you. Fold the end flap on the holder down and slide the sheet of film into the little retaining guides with the emulsion side facing you. This may take some practice as it has to be done accurately by feel. Fold the end flap closed and push in the slide. Repeat on the other side. There, you've done one. It's a good idea to practice loading in the light until you are comfortable with it. Use a scrap sheet or waste a new one. You will notice the pull tabs on the slides have a silver side and a black side. This is the universal way of telling whether the film has been exposed. Silver= unexposed and ready. Black= exposed. You should put the slides so they are silver facing out before going into the dark. To use, focus the camera, set shutter speed and aperture, make SURE the shutter is closed, insert the holder, pull the slide, expose, put the slide back in black side out. Last rule and most important -- have fun!

Thanks so much for the information
Ken

You might want to blow on the film, once you've got it in the holder...just in case a little dust has settled. Don't do it if you're feeling juicy though

More important, get a can of compressed air from Office Depot or your local camera store and blow the daylights out of the holder before you first use it...especially blow through the dark slide's slot, maybe running the dark slide thru the slot, pulling out, blowing, repeating a few times...this is especially a good idea if the holders have been sitting around, and especially if they're wood rather than plastic (sawdust).