Steve Weinrebe's Mode Studio

No, this photo isn’t a mistake or a throwback to days gone by (though it does warm my heart). Empty boxes of 4×5 sheet film used to be sought after for storing exposed film to transport to the lab, store negs or transparencies, or as a low budget way to deliver work to a client (with the photographer’s label stuck to the top of course).

Now these boxes may be scarce but they are, if anything, durable. Because they originally held a small fortune in film, they were very well made and can stand up to a lot of torture. That’s what makes old film boxes such excellent storage boxes for small items like filters and filter accessories; flash accessories (for on-camera flash, at least); assortments of batteries; or even a simple first aid kit for those times you pinch your finger in a spring clamp. If you don’t have any, stop by a local pro lab and ask – though they may be reluctant to fork any over since they need them too.

These boxes fit nicely into the back or side flap of most camera cases; just don’t be surprised if someday you are opening one up to get out a filter and someone yells, “don’t expose the film!”

Posted by Steve Weinrebe