I was hoping someone could help me out with storing my negatives. What is the best method or products to use for storing 4x5 negatives? I have seen some plastic sleeves, but I'm curious if they can still scratch the negatives. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I suggest you use PrintFile archival negative preservers. For 4x5 they come in sheets that hold 4 negs (their product designation is 45-4B), and these can be stored in a three-ring binder with a proof sheet as the facing page. Once filed in the preservers, keep them cool, dry, and in the dark, also cover the ring binder to keep out dust. I'm not sure what the material is, but it's not PVC; may be polypropylene (PP), which is archival. Another advantage of the PrintFile sheets is that you can just slap them up on the light table when you want to examine a negative---no need to remove the neg until you print it. I've used PrintFile for years with 35mm and 120, and I swear by it!

Shoot people- use cameras not guns.

I will second the print files, I hae used them for years for everything from 35mm to 8 x 10 with no problems at all, I like them better than the individual negative sleeves due to the fact they are flexable, the neg sleeves have a tendancy to be stiff.

Dave

i use print files as well, and while i havent been using them for years, i really like the fact they can be filed in a 3 ring binder as opposed to in a box or lying around loose somewhere.

I guess it's a me to. The printfiles are nice since you can just slap them on a piece of paper put the glass on top and do a contact sheet of four negatives. I know some people like those glassine envelopes but they seem too much trouble to me.

Thanks everyone. I will look for some of these PrintFile negative sleeves. Just wanted to make sure I was not going to damage my negs.

Right On to 45PSS, Too bad more people don't follow that logic.