Dry Plates (handmade) - Tips & Tricks, Experiences & Examples . . .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jnanian

nice work dannl!
i have a handful of 5x7 dry plates i coated ( in the fall? )
and recently discovered them ... i'll expose them soon,
thanks for reminding me :)
john

---

Now that you have had some plates in storage for a time, let us know if you have experienced any problems with the emulsion peeling. SergeiR mentioned this problem in a previous post. None of my processes plates from last fall have peeled. But I did use Polyurethane for subbing the plate, which may have reduced that risk.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DannL

Now that you have had some plates in storage for a time, let us know if you have experienced any problems with the emulsion peeling. SergeiR mentioned this problem in a previous post. None of my processes plates from last fall have peeled. But I did use Polyurethane for subbing the plate, which may have reduced that risk.

---

i've others that i exposed and printed with, developed out &c that were older than a few months
and never had peeling troubles, but then again, i add hardener to my fixer now, and i use a strong developer and cold chemistry ( which all helps ! )
i might not be the best barometer about this issue because stuff i coated with is about 6-7 years past the expiration date ...

Here's the homemade "plate developing tool" I mentioned in the "Dry Plate Day" thread. I thought I had already posted this here, but can't seem to find anything.

With this simple tool you can develop your plates in a flat-bottom tray, and keep your fingers dry. And then if you so desire, you can develop the plates face-down, reducing the chance for any particles in the chemicals settling onto the emulsion. It's a stiff wire bent in the shape shown in the pictures. On mine I coated the tips with liquid electrical tape, which helps grip the plate and minimizes edge chipping. If the tool is bent with the proper dimensions for the plate size used, the plate will be held very securely. Enjoy!

Attachment 115502 Attachment 115503

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jnanian

i've others that i exposed and printed with, developed out &c that were older than a few months
and never had peeling troubles, but then again, i add hardener to my fixer now, and i use a strong developer and cold chemistry ( which all helps ! )
i might not be the best barometer about this issue because stuff i coated with is about 6-7 years past the expiration date ...

---

You're the perfect barometer because I have some LL in film cans that's been there for 6-8 years. At least it was liquid when it went in.

Developer for liquid Foma Speed.

I have now coated, exposed and developed some plates (4x5") with liquid foma with satisfying results.
As I am a fan of Pyrocat-HD, is there anybody who tried developing DIY coated plates in Pyrocat-HD?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by David R Munson

I will also say, though, that part of my interest is with shooting tiny dry plates using the cut film holders I have for my Hasselblad. The pressure plate is removable specifically for use with glass plates. So...cute little squares of homemade dry-plate goodness? I'm down for that, and may even be able to find a way to make that work in my apartment.

---

Same for me and my Rolleiflex plateholders... The older folding dryplate cameras are a hoot too but the problem is finding thinner glass.

The Eastman House has a (sold out) workshop on dryplate emulsion-making coming up in August. So apparently there's interest in this.

Naturally, since we all need to consider alternatives to film...

I'd like to find 1.5mm plate glass, which is very close to the thickness of the old glass plates in my 5X7 Premo holders. I have been looking and it seems kinda rare. Schott sells 1.5mm borosilicate micro float glass in large quantities.

I wonder where I could find 16x20 sheets of it to cut down.

I will write to Schott soon, but my order would be micro. :(

I have read how Denise Ross suggests to modify a DDS to SDS and shim to fit cheap and available 3/32" glass. See http://www.thelightfarm.com/ for her informative site.

I've probably mentioned this several times, but there are several manufacturers that make a very inexpensive picture frame sold under Main Stays (Walmart) brand, Format brand, MCS Plastic Format Frame, etc. These are those simple plastic frames where the glass is popped into the front of a thin black plastic frame. The frame itself is nothing more than a holder for the glass and is only visible at the very edge. The glass found in these is typically 1.5mm. When I see them at thrift stores I buy them up specifically for cutting into plates. The 8x10 glass from the 8x0 frames for example fits perfectly into my wooden 8x10 Eastman Plate holder. When cut to size this same glass also fits my other camera plate holders. I once found a US company that sold 8x10 1.5mm sheets by the crate. I need to locate them again. I think the old German metal plate cameras may have required plates that were even thinner that. I could be mistaken though.

I have several of those MCS frames in 8x10 and I just opened one up. I measure 0.075" which is 1.9mm. My Premo holders are buried. I may find them tonight and check fit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DannL

I've probably mentioned this several times, but there are several manufacturers that make a very inexpensive picture frame sold under Main Stays (Walmart) brand, Format brand, MCS Plastic Format Frame, etc. These are those simple plastic frames where the glass is popped into the front of a thin black plastic frame. The frame itself is nothing more than a holder for the glass and is only visible at the very edge. The glass found in these is typically 1.5mm. When I see them at thrift stores I buy them up specifically for cutting into plates. The 8x10 glass from the 8x0 frames for example fits perfectly into my wooden 8x10 Eastman Plate holder. When cut to size this same glass also fits my other camera plate holders. I once found a US company that sold 8x10 1.5mm sheets by the crate. I need to locate them again. I think the old German metal plate cameras may have required plates that were even thinner that. I could be mistaken though.

---

I also have run into a few batches that have been a tad thicker than 1.5mm. But even then, they have fit the holders. It's the standard framing glass that I find too thick and heavy for this purpose.