Help with the dimensions of an 8x10 Film Holder

**Jim Jones** · 7-Apr-2018, 17:14

Originally Posted by pepeguitarra

I think I will just create my own standard. The prices they show for this standards are too high. Membership in ANSI will cost $1,200 for companies selling under $100million. What about those not profiting from it? That is ridiculous. I will build my own plates and my own holders.

The last time I checked, it cost maybe $25 to download the specs of film holders. Membership wasn't required. Beware of specks for film holders that have been posted online. At least one set of simplified specs has errors.
New topic: wet plate pinhole photography may be impractical if the emulsion is too slow.

**Nodda Duma** · 7-Apr-2018, 12:02

Not sure I follow. Standards don’t work like that. They just include dimensions that tell you what size of film to expect from manufacturers. That way you know how to make your holders to accommodate standard size film. Did you get my message with the dimensions of 8x10 film?

The industry standardizes on those sizes so the film they sell is compatible with the equipment out there. If, for example, Kodak’s film didn’t fit standard equipment then nobody would buy from Kodak.

You don’t have to pay anything to make your holders. Use those dimensions to properly size where the film goes in your holders or you’ll be sad when the film doesn’t fit. It’s not magic, it’s just good woodworking.

**pepeguitarra** · 7-Apr-2018, 12:13

Originally Posted by Nodda Duma

Not sure I follow. Standards don’t work like that. They just include dimensions that tell you what size of film to expect from manufacturers. The industry standardizes on those sizes so the film they sell is compatible with the equipment out there. If Kodak’s film didn’t standard equipment then nobody would buy from Kodak.

You don’t have to pay anything to make your holders. Just make sure the film will fit in them or you’ll be sad when it doesn’t fit.

Thanks Jason. I am just complaining, I like to complain. I worked for 40 years in my field and became an "expert", I contributed to set the standards for a lot of plumbing fixtures, and the Code that enforces their use. No one has to pay for it. However, I understand there is a cost of putting it together, which should be nominal. In any case, I will leave provisions in my holders to accept a large tolerance, even if that means I have to build an adapter for those that do not fit snuggly.

Like they say, whatever I have now is good for government work!

In fact, I should not complain, since I am saving money. I will not have to buy an 8x10 View Camera, since I will have my own pinhole camera with 8x10 holders and wet and dry plates.

**pepeguitarra** · 7-Apr-2018, 17:13

Originally Posted by Nodda Duma

Not sure I follow. Standards don’t work like that. They just include dimensions that tell you what size of film to expect from manufacturers. That way you know how to make your holders to accommodate standard size film. Did you get my message with the dimensions of 8x10 film?

The industry standardizes on those sizes so the film they sell is compatible with the equipment out there. If, for example, Kodak’s film didn’t fit standard equipment then nobody would buy from Kodak.

You don’t have to pay anything to make your holders. Use those dimensions to properly size where the film goes in your holders or you’ll be sad when the film doesn’t fit. It’s not magic, it’s just good woodworking.

This is an example of Adult to Adult communication. It works. There was the need for an information, and it was provided. WIN-WIN

**Nodda Duma** · 7-Apr-2018, 17:39

Jim, I can’t speak to the wet plate, but I believe he is also planning to try with my dry plates. In that case, at ASA 2, there will be enough light to make a latent image (At least, I’ve shot at f/128 before). The reciprocity characteristics are really good for the slow emulsion so he will just need a correspondingly longer exposure to get good results.

**pepeguitarra** · 7-Apr-2018, 21:39

It is impossible to buy one of the 8x10 glass plate holders. On the evil site most are broken and the dimensions are uncertain. The only place where you can buy what a decent one is here. And one 8x10 (one single plate) is $400 plus tax and shipping. It may not be too bad to think about maybe building them and making them available to some friends.

**pepeguitarra** · 16-Apr-2018, 23:01

I just finished my pinhole camera. It is still drying from the finish. However, it will be ready to shoot in couple of days. I have many shots of the camera and the construction, but I can only post fewer (technical difficulties: transferring from my phone seems to be slow). If you have questions, I will be glad to answer them.
It weights about 6 pounds (by design) without the pinhole, it accepts 8x10 film and dry glass plate, focal length is 203mm, diameter of pinhole is .6mm, and f is 1/338. In a sunny day without adjustment for reciprocity failure, the exposure is 4.7 seconds.

Pinhole Camera by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

20180416_200336 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

20180416_200216 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr