contact printing

[linhofbiker]

If you no longer have an enlarger what is the "best" way to make contact prints (B/W) of 4x5, 5x7 and 4x10 sheet film?

[Alan9940]

The simplest way is to lay a sheet of glass over the neg/paper sandwich and expose using a hanging light fixture. If you search a bit on YouTube, I'm sure you'll find videos covering contact printing.

[Chuck Pere]

Check out this: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?167823-Contact-Printing

[xkaes]

A thick piece of glass is easy to get and inexpensive. Don't just use single strength window glass -- too easy to break. 1/4" is good. When you order the glass, have them "smooth" the edges so you can handle it without gloves. Make it slightly larger than you need, and keep the Windex ready.
Keep your light in a fixed position -- (not too close) some testing is necessary -- and use time to control the exposure.

[nitroplait]

Some low sensitivity paper like Adox Lupex may make it easier to control exposure.

[linhofbiker]

Brainstorming this: how about rigging something up using LED array inside a large film changing tent, then loading the paper (8x10) into a drum for processing.

[xkaes]

Incandescent bulbs are not as easy to find nowadays, but were easy to get in a wide variety of brightnesses. I use 7.5W and 15W in my safelights -- and 25W might be a good choice for you. I haven't seen the same variety in LED's, etc. What type of bulb were you planning on using?

[Tin Can]

I bought a couple small pieces of thick glass for small contacts

Most glazers don't want small Biz sales, cutting a small 12X15" glass must come from a much larger piece

But my eveready AMAZON has it for sharpening chisels

I wanted 4X4" thick glass for hand grinding bigger DIY GG

So

https://www.amazon.com/Peachtree-Woodworking-Supply-Glass-Sharpening/dp/B00ADAAC1E/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1Y1Y73WRP0WEA&keywords=thick+glass+chisel+sharpening&qid=1647700463&sprefix=thick+glass+chisel+sharning%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5

[Tin Can]

Thanks Chuck!

Few read


Check out this: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?167823-Contact-Printing

[Alan9940]

Some low sensitivity paper like Adox Lupex may make it easier to control exposure.

Yep, but the downside is that you need brighter illumination. I use a 250 watt flood about 4 feet above my work table.

[Michael R]

If you no longer have an enlarger what is the "best" way to make contact prints (B/W) of 4x5, 5x7 and 4x10 sheet film?

I suggest a simple setup which you can add functionality to as you go (or not):

1) A dim lightbulb mounted high, a sheet of clean glass and enlarging paper, or

2) Find a used, small, very cheap enlarger. Doesn’t have to be in particularly good shape. It’s just a somewhat easier-to-control light source (for example it is trivial to add variable contrast filters to your exposures if you have an enlarger). And a sheet of clean glass.

[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51946522165_181ff34c85_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2n9kvfv)18x24cm Mammo Norma 121mm F45 18 pops C171 Beauty Light Grid (https://flic.kr/p/2n9kvfv) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Testing Kodak Mammography 18x24cm in HC-110 "H" 6.5 mins at ambient. 8x10 Sinar Norma 121mm F8 Sinar Norma Schneider Super Angulon on Norma Vertical Copy Arrangement. Shooting straight down at F45. Broncolor C171 Monolight with Broncolor Blue Pulso Beauty Dish, popped eighteen times with shutter on "B" to build up the density. Contact printed Omega DII with Omegalite Arista RC #2 Matte paper Multigrade developer. Digital background shot by Tim Layton and was blown up by me at Costco. It was dark red so I guess I should have expected a lack of density on the right. Live and learn. Highlight tonality looks decent to me. 18x24 XRay film is easy and fun to shoot

[MAubrey]

Incandescent bulbs are not as easy to find nowadays, but were easy to get in a wide variety of brightnesses. I use 7.5W and 15W in my safelights -- and 25W might be a good choice for you. I haven't seen the same variety in LED's, etc. What type of bulb were you planning on using?
FWIW...a 1w LED bulb is about the same as a 15w incandescent bulb. If you know the wattage you want, you can find a nice variety. Ebay or Amazon gives plenty of results for E26 .5w LED bulbs, for example.

[Alan9940]

FWIW...a 1w LED bulb is about the same as a 15w incandescent bulb. If you know the wattage you want, you can find a nice variety. Ebay or Amazon gives plenty of results for E26 .5w LED bulbs, for example.

One issue I ran into when testing LED bulbs for contact printing is that they don't power on / off instantly. Certainly could have been the bulbs I tried, but it's something you might want to pay attention to, if you go the LED route.

[xkaes]

And incandescents don't turn off immediately either. Something to consider, and adjust for, when doing quality work. Increasing the exposure time can make this factor less significant.

[Rick A]

https://www.popphoto.com/watch-edward-weston-create-darkroom-print/

[Tin Can]

1948 had a shortage of men


https://www.popphoto.com/watch-edward-weston-create-darkroom-print/

[paulbarden]

I put a 15 watt light bulb in a fixture mounted in a campbells soup can, and hung it about 4 feet over my work table. For a year, this is how I made 8x10 contact prints before getting an enlarger. Its not difficult.

[linhofbiker]

I put a 15 watt light bulb in a fixture mounted in a campbells soup can, and hung it about 4 feet over my work table. For a year, this is how I made 8x10 contact prints before getting an enlarger. Its not difficult.

I copied watercolor paintings on to 4x5 Fuji 64T for years. Had to wait till dark outside and all the house lights off. Set up the lights in the living room bay window.
This approach would not be practical for contacts and besides the family might object. I like the tent approach better.

[Tin Can]

Paul

Everything is difficult until one learns and succeeds

I never learned to write script or stay within the lines

I never spoke a word until almost 4, then full sentences

All traits of Autism, I was called stupid for a long time

Not stupid, my mind spins much faster than most

I love watching our chief architect's halting speech

Elon is thinking and talking

[Duolab123]

https://www.popphoto.com/watch-edward-weston-create-darkroom-print/

That's a great little film. I think I have seen bits of it before. Pretty impressive. Thanks for sharing.