Notch code
Encyclopedia
A notch code is a set of notches or recesses cut into the edge of a piece of sheet film
to provide a tactile way to identify the film brand, type, and processing chemistry (e.g. black and white, color negative, or color reversal) in the dark. It enables photographers to identify the emulsion side of the film when loading sheet film holders, and helps processing lab technicians avoid placing sheets in the wrong processor. After processing the notches serve as a permanent visual record of the same information. When the film is oriented vertically (portrait format), the notches are in the top edge near the upper right corner when the emulsion faces the viewer.
Sheet film
Sheet film is large format and medium format photographic film supplied on individual sheets of acetate or polyester film base rather than rolls. Sheet film was initially supplied as an alternative to glass plates...
to provide a tactile way to identify the film brand, type, and processing chemistry (e.g. black and white, color negative, or color reversal) in the dark. It enables photographers to identify the emulsion side of the film when loading sheet film holders, and helps processing lab technicians avoid placing sheets in the wrong processor. After processing the notches serve as a permanent visual record of the same information. When the film is oriented vertically (portrait format), the notches are in the top edge near the upper right corner when the emulsion faces the viewer.
Code notches and ISO speeds for Kodak sheet films
| Type | Code | Daylight ISO Film speed Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system.... | Tungsten ISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial 6127, 4127 | __________ __ _____ \/ >__| |
20/14 | 8/10 |
| Contrast Process Pan 4155 |
|
100/21 | 80/20 |
| Contrast Process Ortho 4154 | ______ _ ___ _____ \/ \/ >__| |
100/21 | 50/18 |
| Ektapan 4162 | ____________ _ ___ \/ >___| |
100/22 | 100/22 |
| Fine Grain Positive 7302 | _______________ ___ >___| |
40/17 | 10/11 |
| Kodalith Ortho 2556, Type 3 | Unnotched | 10/15 | 6/9 |
| Kodalith Pan 2568 |
|
40/17 | 36/16 |
| Plus-X Pan Professional 4147 | ____ _ _ ___ __ \/ \/ \/ >___| |
125/22 | 125/22 |
| Tri-X Pan Professional 4164 |
|
320/26 | 320/26 |
| Tri-X 320 (TXP) | _______ _ ___ \/\/\/ >__| |
320/26 | 320/26 |
| Super-XX Pan 4142 |
|
200/24 | 200/24 |
| Tri-X Ortho 4163 |
|
320/26 | 200/24 |
| Royal-X Pan 4166 | ___ _ _ ___ ___ \/ \/ \/ >___| |
1250/32 | 1250/32 |
| Royal Pan 4141 |
|
400/27 | 400/27 |
| T-Max 100 Professional 5052 |
|
100/21 | 100/21 |
| T-Max 100 (100TMX) |
|
100/21 | 100/21 |
| T-Max 400 Professional 5053 | _______ _ _ ____ \/ \/ >___| |
400/27 | 400/27 |
| T-Max 400 (400TMY) | _________ _ ___ \/\/ >__| |
400/27 | 400/27 |
| Professional Copy 4125 |
|
25/15 | 12/12 |
| Pan Masking Film 4570 |
|
||
| Matrix Film 4150 |
|
||
| Pan Matrix 4149 |
|
||
| Separation Negative 4131, Type 1 |
|
||
| Separation Negative 4133, Type 2 |
|
||
| High Speed Infrared 4143 | ____ __ __ __ ___ \/ \/ \/ >___| |
||
| Ektachrome 64 Professional 6117 |
|
64/19 | 16/13 (with 80A) |
| Ektachrome 100 Professional 6122 |
|
100/21 | 25/15 (with 80A) |
| Ektachrome 100 Plus Professional 6105 |
|
100/21 | 25/15 (with 80A) |
| Ektachrome 200 Professional 6176 |
|
200/24 | 50/18 (with 80A) |
| Ektachrome 64T Professional 6118 |
|
40/17 (with 85B) | 64/19 |
| Ektachrome Duplicating 6121 |
|
Code notches and ISO speeds for Ilford sheet films
| Type | Code | Daylight ISO Film speed Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system.... | Tungsten ISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Plus |
|
80/20 | 40/17 |
| FP4 Plus (New) |
|
125/22 | |
| FP4 Plus (Old) |
|
125/22 | |
| HP5 Plus (New) |
|
400/27 | |
| HP5 Plus (Old) |
|
400/27 | |
| Delta 100 Professional |
|
100/21 | |
| Delta 400 Professional (New) |
|
400/27 | |
| Delta 400 Professional (Old) |
|
400/27 | |
| XP2 Super (New) |
|
400/27 | |
| XP2 Super (Old) |
|
400/27 |
Code notches and ISO speeds for Fuji sheet films
| Type | Code | Daylight ISO Film speed Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system.... | Tungsten ISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujichrome Velvia |
|
50/18 | 16/13 |
| Fujichrome Velvia 100 |
|
100/21 | 32/16 |
| Fujichrome Velvia 100F |
|
100/21 | 32/16 |
| Fujichrome Astia 100F |
|
100/21 | 32/16 |
| Fujichrome Provia 100F |
|
100/21 | 32/16 |
| Fujichrome T64 |
|
64/19 | 32/16 |
| Fujicolor Pro 160S |
|
160/23 | 50/18 |
| Fujicolor Pro 160C |
|
160/23 | 50/18 |
| Fujicolor NPL 160 |
|
100/21 | 160/23 |
| Fujichrome Duplicating Film CDU Type II |
|
||
| Fujicolor Internegative Film |
|
Historic Notch Codes
An extensive listing of sheet film notch codes, mainly Kodak, including many discontinued types, can be found at the end of the University of Louisville Ekstrom Library's Acetate Negative Survey http://louisville.edu/library/ekstrom/special/AcetateNegativeSurvey.pdf.Sources
- Note 31.3 of the RIT PhotoForum List FAQ File
- Kodak Tech Pub F3
- Kodak Technical Publication P7-4A: Reference Data for Kodak Professional Photographic Products.
- More film notch codes.