DIY 5 1/2 x 14 'cause, why not

[Rick A]

I've been feeling a bit bored lately, weather has not cooperated enough to get outdoors to shoot, I'm not a real fan of still life, and I have a pile of 11x14 X ray film. First order of business is building a film slitter to cut my film down. I should have that finished by tomorrow or the day after. Then, I have to make a film holder. I visited a friend's shop, bought a pile of different doll house mouldings in various shapes and sizes that should facilitate the holder. Lastly, I will cobble up a body to accept the holder. I think for now, it will be a pinhole camera. If I like the format, I may try my hand at fabricating a bellows and utilize some ULF lenses I have on hand.

[Tin Can]

Like!

[Vaughn]

I am using a modified darkslide to get two 5.5x14s on a sheet of 11x14. Getting the hang of it -- lovely negatives on a light table!

Zion, Grotto Cabin

[Rick A]

I am using a modified darkslide to get two 5.5x14s on a sheet of 11x14. Getting the hang of it -- lovely negatives on a light table!

Zion, Grotto Cabin

Wow! Great shot. I'm enamored with the aspect ratio, can't wait to get it finished and start shooting it. I love panoramas, but the medium format cameras are both too small, and too expensive.

[Vaughn]

Not the best Photoshop inversion of the negative, but the neg is beautiful! My most recent use of the 5.5x14. I found that it is best to frame the image on the upper half of the GG, as the modified darkslide sits flatter that way.

Chubb Creek, 2019

[Roger Thoms]

I've got a 5.5”x14” pinhole camera, haven’t used it a whole lot cause you can only lot one sheet of film/paper. Turns out I do much better with film holders. Nice format and certainly makes good use of a sheet of 11x14.

Roger

[Jim Noel]

Guess I will just have to get out more with my little 5x12. But I Sure do miss my 7x17.

[radii]

Beautiful !

Not the best Photoshop inversion of the negative, but the neg is beautiful! My most recent use of the 5.5x14. I found that it is best to frame the image on the upper half of the GG, as the modified darkslide sits flatter that way.

Chubb Creek, 2019

[Vaughn]

Rick -- don't forget verticals! I have made some 4x10 and 7x17 verticals, but none yet as 5.5x14. A camera light enough could be tipped over with the tripod head for verticals (if the design is a horizontal-only design).

A few verticals I have shown before (one 7x17 of the boy, and two 4x10s)

[Rick A]

Rick -- don't forget verticals! I have made some 4x10 and 7x17 verticals, but none yet as 5.5x14. A camera light enough could be tipped over with the tripod head for verticals (if the design is a horizontal-only design).

A few verticals I have shown before (one 7x17 of the boy, and two 4x10s)

Those are stunning. I plan on two mounts, one for each orientation. I have the film slicer finished. My guillotine cutter only cuts up to 12 inches, so I repurposed a drafting board and T square with some guides so I can use it in the dark with repeatable results. I'm working on the film holder, two sided. I'm having my house resided so the contractor has some decent aluminum stock to use for the dark slides. Life is good.

The Dexter cutter rides against the rail on the T square with blade in vertical position, slicing the film in half lengthwise. The film nestles inside locators and the T square fits between stops. I think I'll glue some fabric on the underside of the square so I don't scratch the film.