5x7 is NOT EQUAL to 13x18 ...

[gliderbee]

Maybe it's common knowledge (making me an exception then :o), but I just received a new box of Fomapan 100 for 5x7, ordered here:

http://www.fotoimpex.de/shop/filme/planfilme/5x7-inch-13x18-cm/fomapan-100-13x18cm-5x7-50-blatt.html

When I tried to load my 5x7 film holders, I noticed these sheets do not fit: they are just a bit to large on the shortest side, and when looking a bit further, I noticed that e.g. here:

http://www.macodirect.de/efke-sheet-filmbr127x185cm-5x750-sheets-p-1249.html

the Efke film is said to measure 12.7 x 18 cm, instead of the fomapan 13 x 18 cm, and it's indeed those 0.3 cm that makes the difference ... Although fotoimpex gives the correct measurements in cm, I think they should not equalize that to 5x7 inches .. It certainly put me on the wrong foot ...

Stefan.

[Ash]

I use Adox CHS for my 5x7 holders. Glad I didn't try Efke now!

[mdm]

I have to admit that I found those holders tight when I was loading 5x7 FP4, but it does fit, I know because I checked in the daylight. What I found is that the film must go in dead straight and then it slides in fine. I have tried loading 5x7 paper in my holders, which is slightly wider than film, and found it impossible except in some older plastic holders.

Good luck

[Ash]

The holders for mine are wooden, but two were tight. Same problem about needing the film to be dead straight. I gently took a screwdriver under the sides and tried to free up some space. Much better but you still need to wriggle the film a bit to get the right angle.

[Steven Tribe]

5x7" fits into 13x18cm holders.
13x18cm sometimes fits into some 5x7" holders.
The extra length is no problem - it is, as you found out, the extra width that can make it impossible. In theory, this is + 0.118" maximum.
12.7cm is exactly 5" - But I suspect that normal 5x7" film is a mm or so narrower to escape calls from angry users.

[mdm]

Also I have just measured some film. FP4 is just a shade over 125mm wide and Shanghai is 126mm wide. My Ilford direct positive paper is exactly 127mm wide, it does not fit in many of my holders. TriX is the same size as the FP4, a shade over 125mm although the box claims 12,7cm.

[gliderbee]

I use Adox CHS for my 5x7 holders. Glad I didn't try Efke now!

Efke should work, Adox also (just ordered some). Fomapan is 13cm width and as such is clearly a problem. It does not fit, even when inserting very straight (I really tried !).

Stefan.

[gliderbee]

Also I have just measured some film. FP4 is just a shade over 125mm wide and Shanghai is 126mm wide. My Ilford direct positive paper is exactly 127mm wide, it does not fit in many of my holders. TriX is the same size as the FP4, a shade over 125mm although the box claims 12,7cm.

I have never tried Ilford direct positive paper (is that Ilfochrome ?). Maybe it doesn't fit because it's thicker and as such can not go all the way into the edge of the slide ?

[soeren]

5x7" fits into 13x18cm holders.
13x18cm sometimes fits into some 5x7" holders.
The extra length is no problem - it is, as you found out, the extra width that can make it impossible. In theory, this is + 0.118" maximum.
12.7cm is exactly 5" - But I suspect that normal 5x7" film is a mm or so narrower to escape calls from angry users.

Are you sure about 5X7" fitting in 13X18cm holders? wont it fall out when pulling the slide?
Best regards

[Steven Tribe]

"It fits into" - but it might fall out at some stage!!

[soeren]

"It fits into" - but it might fall out at some stage!!

:D

[Vlad Soare]

Foma makes sheet film in both metric and imperial sizes. You just have to make sure you order the correct one. :)
See here:
http://www.fomafoto.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=35&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

Maco have the correct descriptions on their website, so you know what you order. They show 13x18cm and 5x7" as two distinct categories:
http://www.macodirect.de/filmbasiert-planfilme-c-1_386.html

Fotoimpex's description is wrong. That's where your problem comes from.

[Ole Tjugen]

Are you sure about 5X7" fitting in 13X18cm holders? wont it fall out when pulling the slide?

Sometimes they do. There are tolerances in both film size and holder size, sometimes you get a smallish film (still inside the accepted range) and a largish film holder (ditto), and the film flops out.

Similarly, sometimes 13x18 film will fit in a 5x7" holder - but sometimes it will buckle when you pull the slide making it impossible to put the slide back in.

The official standard measurement for 13x18cm film is 12.7 x 17.8 cm - or almost exactly 5 inches by 7 inches. But the 5x7" film size isn't 5 inches by 7 inches, it's a few mm smaller than that!

The reason for that is that the sizes were standardized for glass plates. When film came along, the films were used in the same holders with adapters. And those adapters needed the film to be a little bit smaller, so that the film would fit in the adapter that would fit in the holder.

Dead simple really, but you have to remember that a film that measures 5" x 7" issn't a 5x7" film - it's a 13x18cm film...

[Valdecus]

I have a few 13x18 Fidelity holders, as well as a few 5x7 holders. Makes life easier...

Cheers,
Andrew

[mdm]

I have never tried Ilford direct positive paper (is that Ilfochrome ?). Maybe it doesn't fit because it's thicker and as such can not go all the way into the edge of the slide ?

http://www.flickr.com/groups/harman-dpp/

[gliderbee]

I have a few 13x18 Fidelity holders, as well as a few 5x7 holders. Makes life easier...

Cheers,
Andrew

How can you see the difference when holding the Fidelity holder in your hand ?

Stefan.