8x10 to enlarge or to scan
hello all,
I am currently looking forward to develop a 8x10 portraits project.
The question is: how do I come from negative to print? Do 8x10 enlarger exist? What are they and to what cost? Do you find them in the normal market?
Which labo can make quality scan and make really qualitative prints ?
Thanks for the coming answers
Ariel
:confused:
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ariel Genton
Do 8x10 enlarger exist? What are they and to what cost? Do you find them in the normal market?
Yes - they cost a lot sometimes, other times people can't give them away. No you won't likely find them on your local craigslist or at the weekend yardsale.
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
You can scan the film by yourself in a flatbed scanner (say, v750 or 800 Epsons) to be printed on a commercial lab.
Do you have any traditional printing experience? IMO, 8x10" printing is not a "will do it next weekend" kind of task. It involves a learning process and could be very costly. For some it`s almost a way of life.
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
If you have to ask you'd probably do better to shoot 4x5 and scan.
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
Yes, this does beg the question: (why) does it have to be 8x10?
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
contact printing has been known to be useful for 8x10
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dasBlute
contact printing has been known to be useful for 8x10
Sure, but that would render any questions about enlargement or scanning irrelevant, so I concluded that couldn't be the motive.
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
I shoot 8x10 for portraits, scan the film, and print it digitally. Digital editing is great, and I don't intend to ever go back into the darkroom to enlarge. The reason to use 8x10 is the experience. I have shot portraits with every format, and they all have their advantages, but the main advantage with a giant camera is the gravity it brings to the situation and the effect that has on subjects. I shoot a lot of 5x7, too, with both 5x7 and 8x10 cameras, and 8x10 results are definitely different. Having to sit completely still through the time from focusing to exposure, and then beyond that for more shots creates it's own ambience on top of the awe factor. I also use x-ray film for the special tonality it gives, which rules out 35mm, my other main format.
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
It doesn't sound like the OP has your level of "experience". Very nice work, by the way. L
Re: 8x10 to enlarge or to scan
If it 'must' be 8x10", then contact print on to silver-chloride paper and scan the prints. Equipment needed is minimal.
Alternatively, get yourself a diffuse light-box (I recall Artograph(?) has been used by others here) and turn your camera in to a temporary enlarger using some foamcore for the structure.