Traditional Wet Plate Sizes & Holders

I have three LN Dry Plate DDS 3-1/4 X 5-1/4" Pat. 1894 Eastman Kodak

And finally got a camera to match, it needs some work, it can be fixed by me

I would assume Dry Plate sizing came from Wet Plate sizes

I have been collecting film and plate holders for a while

How long would one of these last, the septum is paper board, perhaps when that goes, I can make it one sided with a plastic septum

I may not use these, but have assorted others just like it in different sizes

I have NOT seen any old wet plate holders FS or in odd sizes

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ec7ed2a0e1.jpgDry Plate Holder 1 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

That is postcard size, kind of an odd format. No idea how long it will last but the holders I've been using for about the past year are still in good shape. I clean out any dampness after each shot.


Kent in SD

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Originally Posted by Tin Can

I have three LN Dry Plate DDS 3-1/4 X 5-1/4" Pat. 1894 Eastman Kodak

And finally got a camera to match, it needs some work, it can be fixed by me

I would assume Dry Plate sizing came from Wet Plate sizes

I have been collecting film and plate holders for a while

How long would one of these last, the septum is paper board, perhaps when that goes, I can make it one sided with a plastic septum

I may not use these, but have assorted others just like it in different sizes

I have NOT seen any old wet plate holders FS or in odd sizes

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ec7ed2a0e1.jpgDry Plate Holder 1 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

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As Kent suggests, the life of that holder will largely be determined by how fastidious you are in mopping up and silver nitrate that comes in contact with the wood/cardboard.

There are two main reasons to wipe out the interior of the plate holder after making each plate: to preserve the plate holder itself (AgNO3 is highly corrosive and will eat wood if allowed to accumulate), and to ensure that the next plate you make does not come in contact with a lot of contaminated silver nitrate from the previous plate. Why? Because silver nitrate left in the plate holder is what is responsible for much of the unwanted veiling artifacts that can happen. Its almost unavoidable that you will experience some of that, but if you don't wipe out the holder after each plate, you will get some serious contamination that will make a big mess on the plate.

Any ideas on a poly? coating I could apply all over these holders to slow degradation

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Originally Posted by paulbarden

As Kent suggests, the life of that holder will largely be determined by how fastidious you are in mopping up and silver nitrate that comes in contact with the wood/cardboard.

There are two main reasons to wipe out the interior of the plate holder after making each plate: to preserve the plate holder itself (AgNO3 is highly corrosive and will eat wood if allowed to accumulate), and to ensure that the next plate you make does not come in contact with a lot of contaminated silver nitrate from the previous plate. Why? Because silver nitrate left in the plate holder is what is responsible for much of the unwanted veiling artifacts that can happen. Its almost unavoidable that you will experience some of that, but if you don't wipe out the holder after each plate, you will get some serious contamination that will make a big mess on the plate.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tin Can

Any ideas on a poly? coating I could apply all over these holders to slow degradation

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John Coffer has instructions in his Doer's Manual for protecting and sealing the interior of a Brownie Box camera, using Polyurethane. So yes, it can be done. I did it to my Brownie 3B, but it needed a month to dry completely before I could make plates in it, without contaminating the collodion with whatever was still outgassing from the Polyurethane. So yes, it works, but expect to have to let it dry several weeks before you can use it. YMMV of course.

Thanks Paul, I read more on Poly and nobody thinks Poly on wood lasts, unless it is bar top thick

I am going to convert 4X5 Graphic Film Pack Holder, it's almost all metal and fit's many cameras

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Originally Posted by Tin Can

Thanks Paul, I read more on Poly and nobody thinks Poly on wood lasts, unless it is bar top thick

I am going to convert 4X5 Graphic Film Pack Holder, it's almost all metal and fit's many cameras

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I have a traditional style 5x7 film holder (cannot recall what brand) that I was able to convert into a wet plate holder by pulling the septum out of the middle, and epoxying triangles of polycarbonate plastic to each of the four corners to support the plate. That was all I had to do to modify this particular film holder to use for wet plate - it was very simple. Look for a film holder with a metal septum that can be pulled out with strong pliers.

Got it, no problem

Thank you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paulbarden

I have a traditional style 5x7 film holder (cannot recall what brand) that I was able to convert into a wet plate holder by pulling the septum out of the middle, and epoxying triangles of polycarbonate plastic to each of the four corners to support the plate. That was all I had to do to modify this particular film holder to use for wet plate - it was very simple. Look for a film holder with a metal septum that can be pulled out with strong pliers.

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