I am hoping anyone with Ilford, Wephoto or other brand film can take an exact measurement of their sheet film for me. I have heard that Ilford sometimes have some variances so I want to know what the largest examples are...Also anyone with a Full Plate sheath that can provide an exact measurement would be very helpful
To explain, I have older (but good condition) wooden book-form dry plate holders. up until now I have always just placed my film in just as if it was a glass dry plate and placed a sheet of glass, wooden board or cardboard (or a few different things tried over time) on top of the film and away I went.
I did it this way, because, well the first old plate camera I ever got was already set up in this fashion, with the boards cut and inside the holders, so naturally I assumed this was the correct way...I suppose it is, if it works. (Only in recent times have i started looking on the net, and see what others do--I was nearly better off in my blind blissful small world LOL)
However I recently got some Kodak Tmax 400 and it is smaller than I have had before. As a result it just manages to fall through my holders. The measurements on the box of the Tmax 400 says 6" 7/16 x 8" 7/16 and is said to be cut within 1/2000 of an inch but in actual fact it is 1/16 smaller again (161.9mm x 213.2mm) than the measurement on the box. if it was cut 1/16 bigger (1.5mm) it would just catch enough of the edge of the holder that it wouldn't fall through.
So, a long story I know, but by coincidence I happen to be about to get some new laser cut film sheaths made for 9x12 film (I wanted some more to what I have) and will be unfortunately getting more than I need because of the cost of setting up ect, and the firm has to order in the very thin sheeting, so I may as well use the whole sheet of steel or order any extra at the same time.
So I figure at the same time I may as well see if I can get them to make some sheaths for my whole plate film (hoping I don’t have to pay set up fees again but probably will have to, but at least I wont have to pay twice for ordering in extra of this sheet steel), with the view that then these can be used, even if a slightly loose fit with the Tmax 400, but also the other brands, albeit for them, a bit more snugly. Unless someone has some sheaths they don’t need--or if someone does have one perhaps they can measure it for me (exactly) so I can compare the measurements!
So far I am inclined to make the width measurement (A) 165mm (maybe 165.5mm) and the fold (B) will aim to be 3mm as that appears to be what my half plate and other sheaths use (thickness .3mm), although modern machines have difficulty with this small of a fold, so all I have spoken to have said anyway. As such it may result in size up to 3.5mm-4mm but the guy doing this for me says he thinks he can manage 3mm but just cant guarantee me up front; needs to experiment, adjust his machine and do by hand.
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