Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: Gridding a blank ground glass

  1. #1

    Gridding a blank ground glass

    I talked to Dave Parker of Satin Snow and he said that all his gg's come blank. I have two sheets on order and he said he would include a grid template of some sorts, that is super helpful, but how does one mark a grid on a blank ground glass? I just talked to Dick Phillips and he was saying that he uses a marking device that has a very soft brass tip to grid his gg's. Thanks in advance. This question has just been bothering for sometime.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula
    Posts
    5,816

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Dave has templates on his web site. I've double-stick taped the template I like to the smooth side of the glass and traced with sharp pencil and ruler on the ground side. If you don't like the first attempt, wash with Windex (or similar glass cleaner) and start over again.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Nov 1999
    Posts
    763

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Nelson all you need is a sharp lead pencil. Tape the grid Dave sends you on the table then tape the GG accurately over the grid with the rough side facing you. You only need a small amount of tape, and use one that doesn't leave a whole lot of glue on the glass. You'll work it out though. Get a straight edge and carefully draw on the screen [the etched side faces you so you draw on the rough surface].

    If you don't like that grid for some reason later on you can follow Dave's, and other instruction to wash the pancil lines off and start again.
    Last edited by Shen45; 29-Dec-2007 at 18:31. Reason: I type slower than Brian.

  4. #4

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    thanks guys. i appreciate it.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    627

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Well,

    The way I do my grids, is either print the grid out on over head transparency sheets then just install the glass with the grid over top of that...(gives a bit of extra protection) or I have also, printed the grid on white paper and then lay the screen over the template, with the ground side up and then use a straight edge to trace with a sharp pencil, it is easy to do, and if you mess up, a bit of warm water and some soap, your back to square one, I have not elected to offer grids, due to the cost of machinery to print the grids on glass, time consuming(at our volume) and many of the companies have copyrights on their grid patterns as well a colors.

    My favorite way is the transparency overlay, it works like a charm, and you can lay out any grid that comes to mind..

    Dave

  6. #6

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Once I wanted a lined glass, then I got a couple of cameras and found that it obscures the looking. A lined glass would only be useful for architectural photography. I use the outer frame to align the image and it works perfectly.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula
    Posts
    5,816

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Quote Originally Posted by Turner Reich View Post
    A lined glass would only be useful for architectural photography.
    Gridding the glass is also useful for composing with roll film backs and Polaroid backs - anything where the frame isn't "full".

  8. #8
    Geert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    222

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Nelson,

    A black felt marker with very thin point will do the trick, the ones I use have a 0.05 mm tip. Make sure that it has water resistant and fast drying ink.

    Kind regards,
    Geert

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    482

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    And I thought I was doing a second rate "hack" with a marker. I marked up a screen for the Sinar asymetric focus axis and added lines inside for roll film holder positioning.

    It worked

  10. #10
    Geert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    222

    Re: Gridding a blank ground glass

    Quote Originally Posted by CG View Post
    And I thought I was doing a second rate "hack" with a marker. I marked up a screen for the Sinar asymetric focus axis and added lines inside for roll film holder positioning.

    It worked
    Sure it works, the only downside to this method is that you can wash it off.

    G

Similar Threads

  1. Another homebrew ground glass method
    By CR Roberts in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 16-Nov-2008, 09:36
  2. Fresnel & Ground Glass - Which first?
    By Sheldon N in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 22-Jun-2007, 11:06
  3. OOF film with new ground glass
    By Tim Shawcross in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 5-Jul-2006, 23:18
  4. Changing Linhof "Ground glass"
    By Varakan Ten Tipprapa in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 22-Feb-2004, 09:11
  5. Ground glass / film alignment Graphic and Linhof
    By Antoni Rafalski in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 29-Dec-1998, 07:00

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •