Sizes For Lodima Fine Art™ Paper

[Richard K.]

It's truly great that we will finally have what is purported to be an outstanding contact paper at a reasonable cost, with a test run available now and a production run early in 2090. I notice that the sizes available will include 8x10, 11x14 then 8x20 then 20x24. I would like to make a request that we forgo the somewhat unnecessary 8x20 size and that 16x20 be made available instead. I can see that this size (8x20) would benefit *8x20 users (I'm one) but it's easy enough to cut 16x20 in two. 16x20 will be more useful (and cheaper!) to users of 14x17 than 20x24 (which can also be cut to give three 8x20 sheets) and it's only a marginal hardship to cut 16x20 in two.

Very happy that it's double weight!:)

*and 7x17, but 16x20 will offer the same wasteage for 7x17 users as 8x20 paper

[Andrey Donchev]

Whole plate will be nice too.

[John Bowen]

20x24 yields 1 16x20 and 2 8x10s. I shoot 7x17 and use 2 8x10s to "proof" all my negatives. I also use the 8x10 paper to work up the final prints before switching to my 8x20 (cut down from 20x24) to make the final prints. This allows me not to wind up with 8x20 paper in the waste can. Of course what helps is that I have a lot of Canadian Grade 2 in 8x10 and some in 20x24 with the same emulson #.

Michael discusses "special sizes" on his website. Just get your 14x17 buddies together with others that would like 16x20 and place an order. More work? Yes, but if you can demonstrate the demand, Michael will respond.

Best wishes,

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hey, if the three guys out there who shoot 14x17" want to put in an order for that size, I could be interested, since it would cut in half easily for 7x17" (and I have a nice 7x17" contact printing frame, so if I want to use it for that format, the paper has to fit).

[Steve Sherman]

I am waiting for whatever becomes available for 7x17, doesn't really matter to me I'll support the size that comes out.

[Sal Santamaura]

Whole plate will be nice too.In this case, I disagree with promoting 6-1/2 x 8-1/2. Especially now that the paper will be double weight.

Printing "whole plate" negatives on 8x10 paper means one has a nice margin around the edges for handling. It also affords an opportunity to corner mount and cover with a window overmat, thereby avoiding the need to dry mount. Double weight 8x10 will be fine with me!

[Andrey Donchev]

Sal, I just don't want to lose those borders! Second: centering the film exactly on the bigger sheet was always an issue for me. And if you want borders you can always buy 8x10. This size is not questioned.

[SAShruby]

As 8x20 shooter, I personally would buy either 16x20 or 20x24. Currently, I have pleaced order for 20x24. Having 8x20 is a luxury.

BTW, which safelight will need to be used, same as AZO paper?

[Richard K.]

As an 8x20 AND 14x17 shooter, I'm OK with 20x24 since I can get my 16x20 sheet for 14x17 AND a left over sheet of 8x20 for 8x20. But I just thought that since 8x20 can be so easily cut from 16x20 and 16x20 will benefit the single format user of 14x17, why not do that instead of JUST 8x20? :confused:

[Jim Noel]

" production run early in 2090."

I am 79. I don't think I can wait until 2090 for anything.

[Richard K.]

" production run early in 2090."

I am 79. I don't think I can wait until 2090 for anything.

Jim; I have startling news for you....NOBODY on this forum can wait till 2090 :eek:

[Richard K.]

And also, that was a typo...I of course meant to say 2900 !!!

[David A. Goldfarb]

Just to clarify--


A manufacturing test run of Lodima Fine Art™ will be completed in the next few weeks that will produce 290 boxes of 100 sheets of 8x10 Grade 2 double weight glossy surface silver chloride photographic paper.

We expect the production run of the paper to be in early 2009 and we will offer a variety of sizes in both Grade 2 and Grade 3 to accommodate as many photographers as possible.

So the test run from which these 290 boxes will come will happen in the next few weeks, and the big production run in two grades and various sizes should happen in a few months.

[Michael Kadillak]

Just to clarify--



So the test run from which these 290 boxes will come will happen in the next few weeks, and the big production run in two grades and various sizes should happen in a few months.

This is correct David. Once the test run has been completed, sold and delivered in the near term and photographers have a chance to print with this paper, there will be an end of the year formal production run to be pre-sold that will result in Lodima Paper in a double weight glossy paper in grade 2 and grade 3 in various sizes. The best advice I would provide anyone that wants a specific size paper from the manufacturer is to step up to the plate at the appropriate time and make a financial commitment to this size to facilitate this happening.

If not enough orders for a specific non-standard size are received by Michael and Paula then common sense would dictate that the Plan B for these individuals would be to purchase a larger standard size and cut the Lodima to their specific requirements which is really not that big a deal.

My advice is to get your financial house in order with plenty of advance notification provided here so that when the time comes to step up the plate later this year, you can do so without hesitation. This is an absolutely marvelous product that you will have the opportunity to see for yourself. As a result, I do not see any risk in making the commitment to the product.

To make a decision to sit on the sidelines is unacceptable. Remember. This is not a large corporation with deep pockets making this offering. This is two full time working photographers that are stepping so far out of the box it is scary. If everyone does not make the commitment to step up to the plate this deal will not make it and that would be a terrible shame.

Where there is a will - there is always a way.

Cheers!

[Richard K.]

Thanks Michael. eloquently put. I think that you'll see us eagerly stepping up to the plate. :)

[Michael A. Smith]

Yes, same safelight as for Azo, of course. This is a silver chloride paper.

We can make custom sizes. But the orders will have to be somewhat large. Just what "somewhat large" is at this time, I do not know.

Michael A. Smith

[Alex Hawley]

Michael, any idea how many sheets will be in an 8x20 or 16x20 package?

I've started using 7x17 and can live with either pre-cut 8x20 or else cut down 16x20.

[John Bowen]

Alex,

When MAS started taking preorders a couple years ago, the idea was for 8x20 boxes to contain 150 sheets and sell for the same price as 50 sheets of 20x24.

[Really Big Cameras]

I'd love to see it offered in 14x17 (my one and only black and white format) or I could live with 16x20. Cutting down 20x24 to 14x17 is very inefficient and doesn't yield any other useful (for me) sizes.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[Stefano]

Michael, any idea how many sheets will be in an 8x20 or 16x20 package?

I've started using 7x17 and can live with either pre-cut 8x20 or else cut down 16x20.

When I placed my preorder for the 8x20 format, in the information the box contain 150 sheets of paper.

Stefano :)

[John Bowen]

I'd love to see it offered in 14x17 (my one and only black and white format) or I could live with 16x20. Cutting down 20x24 to 14x17 is very inefficient and doesn't yield any other useful (for me) sizes.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

Kerry,

Certainly if I can proof and work up my final prints for 7x17 with 2 sheets of 8x10, you could do the same for our 14x17 negatives with 2 8x20 "scraps". If you really have no use for 8x20 scraps, just get a film box to store them in and once you acquire enough, offer them for sale to a 7x17 or 8x20 shooter, or cut them in 1/2 for any 8x10 user.

Wouldn't it be great to purchase a 7x17 0r 8x20 camera from Really Big Cameras and have the owner toss in a few sheets of 8x20 Lodima? :D

I'm just thinking that where there's a will, there's a way. And it may be less expensive then having 14x17 custom cut. Afterall, when was the last time you saw a box of 16x20 silver chloride paper?

I thought you purchased a freezer and stuffed it full of 7x17 TMY...

Best wishes to you Kerry and thanks for all your contributions to this forum.

[John Bowen]

One more thought.....what about purchasing rolls and cutting your own??? It might avoid some special handling charges....just a thought...

[Michael Kadillak]

One more thought.....what about purchasing rolls and cutting your own??? It might avoid some special handling charges....just a thought...

Michael has the ability to sell 100 ft rolls which for those that have the ability and the desire to cut ther own paper from the roll. One other alternative to consider. Anyone that would like to consider this option please just send Michael Smith an e-mail and he can fill you in on the details.

Cheers!

[Michael A. Smith]

Number of sheets in a box:

At this point, I do not know. Since the paper is double weight, not single, chances are ann 8x20 box will have 100 sheets, not 100.

We can make 14 x 17 and any other size, just as long as the quantity is sufficient. Once this small "pre-production" run has been completed and sold, I will have the peace of mind to concentrate on answers to these questions.

Michael A. Smith

[Michael A. Smith]

I meant to say, 100 sheets, not 150.

MAS