Contact Printing Frames

[Really Big Cameras]

This is both an announcement of a new, upcoming product line, and a solicitation for input from potential customers.

I am in the process of adding a line of high quality contact printing frames to my product offerings. The manufacturer currently makes them in the following sizes:

24x30cm (9.4" x 11.8") - This seems like the perfect size for anything up to 8x10 negatives on paper up to 8.5" x 11". I expect this size will be my biggest seller.

30x40cm (11.8" x 15.7") - Another size that seems very logical. Obviously works well for negatives up to 11x14. And, I also noticed that several types of paper stock favored by alt process printers (Arches Platine, watercolor papers, etc.) come in 11x15 sheets. This frame would work with this size of pre-cut paper.

40x50cm (15.7" x 19.7) - I'm not sure if this is a good size. It would work fine for 14x17, but it a hair too small for 16x20. Also, I know that for sizes larger than 11x14, many printers prefer a vacumm frame over a conventional contact printing frame.

So, I welcome comments on these sizes, and I'd like to hear input for additional sizes, either bigger or smaller.

One thing I've noticed about the current market is a void of contact printing frames in the banquet sizes. Do you think there is a market for contact printing frames supporting 4x10, 5x12, 7x17, 8x20 and 12x20 film sizes? The frames would be slightly oversized (an inch or two bigger than the nominal format size in both directions). Also, maintaining good center pressure should be less of a problem in the banquet formats than the standard formats as you move up in sizes. The length of the back springs would remain reasonably short, and additional springs can be added as the length of the negative increases.

All comments welcome.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

[Jay Wolfe]

Dan Pelland makes really nice contact frames to any size desired. A friend has an 8x20. Also, AWB makes panoramic frames. I think the market is covered well.

[Really Big Cameras]

Dan Pelland makes really nice contact frames to any size desired. A friend has an 8x20. Also, AWB makes panoramic frames. I think the market is covered well.

Jay,

Thanks for the input.

According to his site, Dan Pelland is no longer making contact printing frames. He does offer plans and spring kits for a 9" wide frame for those who wish to attempt making their own.

Based on the AWB web site, it appears contact printing frames are custom order. There are no prices listed and no mention of any available for sale at the current time.

So, while there are certainly alternatives, my plan would be to have the items in stock and ready to ship when a customer places an order. No waiting weeks or months for a custom made contact printing frame.

That's why I'm trying to nail down what sizes to offer. I want to be able to have what people want in stock when they want it.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

[Really Big Cameras]

It does appear there may be a market, no doubt a small one, but a market none-the-less, for contact printing frames in the banquet sizes. Or, at least a frame capable of handling 7x17 and 8x20 negatives.

A NOS (new, old stock) AWB 10" x 22" contact printing frame sold on eBay this morning for $237.50. From, the photos that accompany the auction, one of the corners has come unglued and will need to be re-glued by the new owner. The frames I will be selling have reinforced (splined) corners to prevent this from happening.

The frames I will be selling are made by the camera manufacturer Argentum. They are very well made from high quality materials. The wood is white ash (the same straight-grained hardwood use to make baseball bats). The actual imaging area is 1cm larger in both direction than the nominal frame size. So, the image area of the 24x30cm frame is actually 25x31cm (9.8" x 12.2"). So, a 24x55cm frame for 7x17 and 8x20 would have image area of 25x56cm (9.8" x 22").

I'll try to get some pictures of the 24x30cm frame posted in the next day or two. In the mean time, here's a link to a pdf file of the contact printing frames page from the manufacturer's printed catalog.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

[William McEwen]

I'll try to get some pictures of the 24x30cm frame posted in the next day or two. In the mean time, here's a link to a pdf file of the contact printing frames page from the manufacturer's printed catalog.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

Hi, Kerry:

I looked at the PDF, and the frames appear to be well made. Looks like a good product.

I'm curious why Argentum doesn't seem to condone silver printing and conventional light sources!

William

[Really Big Cameras]

I'm curious why Argentum doesn't seem to condone silver printing and conventional light sources!

William,

It took me a while to understand what you meant by your comment. I assume you are referring to this statement from the Argentum PDF:

"Argentum contact printing frames ensure adequate and powerful pressure, so they are highly recommended to be used for historical photographic procedures, where contact printing of negatives is done by sunlight or UV light."

They then list a number of alternative processes:

Salted Paper Print,
Albumen Print,
Cyanotype,
Argentotype,
Platinotype,
Pigment Print,
Gum Print,
Bromoil Process,
Carbro Process, etc.

These statements are not meant to be exclusionary. They are just examples of processes that are traditionally contact printed. Of course, there is absolutely nothing in the design or construction of the Argentum contact printing frames that would prevent using them for producing prints made on silver-based papers using conventional light sources.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

[William McEwen]

Hi, Kerry:

First of all, it's good to make an online acquaintance with you after reading your stuff in VC over the years.

I should have added a to my message about Argentum not mentioning silver processes. I was being a smart aleck (as usual) and didn't expect such a thoughtful reply!

I don't consider Argentum's omission a slight, but I would like to see them add silver paper + conventional light sources to their list of contact printing frame uses.

All best,

William

[Really Big Cameras]

Hi, Kerry:

First of all, it's good to make an online acquaintance with you after reading your stuff in VC over the years.

I should have added a to my message about Argentum not mentioning silver processes. I was being a smart aleck (as usual) and didn't expect such a thoughtful reply!

I don't consider Argentum's omission a slight, but I would like to see them add silver paper + conventional light sources to their list of contact printing frame uses.

All best,

William

William,

No problem. I assumed your comments were made with tongue in cheek.

And, I am happy to report that one customer has confirmed that the Argentum contact printing frames do indeed work with silver papers (Azo) and conventional light sources.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

[David A. Goldfarb]

I own one old Century (or something like that) 7x17" frame and wouldn't mind having another one or two. I'd actually prefer an 8x20" frame for 7x17", so I don't know how much sense it would make to offer both sizes. In general, I prefer using a larger frame than the neg I'm printing, even when I'm printing exactly to the neg size as I usually do (big black borders on albumen prints eat up the gold toner).

[Really Big Cameras]

I own one old Century (or something like that) 7x17" frame and wouldn't mind having another one or two. I'd actually prefer an 8x20" frame for 7x17", so I don't know how much sense it would make to offer both sizes. In general, I prefer using a larger frame than the neg I'm printing, even when I'm printing exactly to the neg size as I usually do (big black borders on albumen prints eat up the gold toner).

Dave,

I'm going to ask the manufacturer to make a contact printing frame for the 7x17 and 8x20 formats. The nominal size would be 24x55cm. The actual image area for these frames is bigger by 1cm in each direction than the nominal sizes. So, the 24x30cm frame actually has an image area of 25x31cm (9.8" x 12.2") and a 24x55cm frame would have an image area of 25x56cm (9.8" x 22") - which should be about perfect for 7x17 and 8x20 negatives.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras