Third rite of passage: Wet printing medium format

[Ronald_H]

Although this is probably not as big a step as developing my own negs and printing 35mm for the first time, I still feel I accomplished something today.

I converted my trusted and beloved 1960's Meopta to MF, mixed some fresh chemicals and went to work with early negs from my first medium format camera, the Yashica Mat 124.

Although I struggled a bit with a darkroom timer on the verge of breaking down, the results were extremely gratifying. I only wish now that I had an enlarger that could porint bigger. Much, much bigger 😉


Diesel by Ronald_H, on Flickr

 

[kmallick]

thats a lovely shot!

never thought of it as a rite of passage, but I agree with you that wet printing a MF is extremely gratifying.

How big did you print? I have been printing 11x14 and I think its quite decent for my needs. I have a feeling that the awkwardness of handling a much larger wet print can be quite messy. My small bathroom-cum-darkroom is also a limiting factor. Having said that, like you I would love to print larger.

The other not so sexy option is to scan and print bigger if needed.

 

[Ronald_H]

thats a lovely shot!

never thought of it as a rite of passage, but I agree with you that wet printing a MF is extremely gratifying.

How big did you print? I have been printing 11x14 and I think its quite decent for my needs. I have a feeling that the awkwardness of handling a much larger wet print can be quite messy. My small bathroom-cum-darkroom is also a limiting factor. Having said that, like you I would love to print larger.

The other not so sexy option is to scan and print bigger if needed.

Much the same here 11x14 and a bath/darkroom. Scanning on my Epson V500 and printing digitally works also very well, but if I use regular photo services they'll print it on color paper. Usually there is a very slight magenta or cyan cast and sharpness is a bit less than real B/W. However, professional (and expensive) inkjet prints are fantastic. But of course I want to be able to do it the traditional way, and today I've proven to myself that I can 😉

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

A seriously good image there, Ronald.

If you're pushed for space, you might want to look into Nova print tanks. I've used them for years and they save a huge amount of table top.

 

[kmallick]

I want to be able to do it the traditional way, and today I've proven to myself that I can 😉

thats where the fun is!

 

[shadowfox]

Ronald, congratulations.

Just by reading your post I can *feel* the sense of accomplishment!
Take a picture of your print and post it here, please.

 

[nikon_sam]

I love printing from negs out of the Yashica Mat 124...

Looks real nice...congrats...

 

[Haigh]

Nice looking print. I also know about using a decrepit darkroom timer.

 

[ooze]

The first time I printed I didn't have a timer at all. Counting seconds in my head I simply plugged the enlargers plug in and out...