35 mm slides of gels - help

[Richard]

In article <94272.141419LKM100F at ODUVM.BITNET>, <LKM100F at ODUVM.BITNET> writes:
> Hi, Netters.  Shiao Wang requested information on taking 35mm slides of
> agarose gels and producing black and white slides of other things from
> the lab.  Here is my 2 cents.
>   I assume that you (Shiao) also have a school which is unable to provide
> these services for you via some graphic arts dept. with a photographer.  So,
> you can try what we do.  Bring in a tripod and your own 35mm camera.  If you
> want black and white photos, get a roll from a good photo shop (I didn't find
> any in the drugstore - everyone wants color these days).  Set your camera to
> manual if it is an automatic, prop it up the right distance from the image,

Use an orange filter between the camera/light meter and the gel, and you will
get better contrast (I think - its been a long time since I've done this.  Best
bet is to move to a school with a photographic department :-) 

> and read from the light meter the best exposure time. (Do this with the light
> box on and the filter you plan to use.)  Then, shoot several exposures on
> either side of the one the light meter told you would be optimal.  Take
> the film in and have it developed.  Get slides made of the best exposure.
> If you have a photo expert in the department, you can set up a system for
> taking slides.  You can either use one of the computer generated variety,
> or you can use a camera, direct duplicating film and make the slides on
> the spot, yourself.  I don't know enough about the particulars to tell you
> all you need to know for that, though.  Maybe someone else does?  Good
> luck.  Laura Moen

You can also buy "automatic" slide makers, that give the white on blue type of
image.  These are stand alone units (rather a large footprint) that have a
camera and slide processing stuff mounted over a board.  I don't know if these
will take good pictures of gels though...probably not.  Just a thought.

Richard