Print big - what is your solution

bence8810

bence8810

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Hello,

Was wondering how big do all wet printers out there print?
I so far printed mainly 5x7 and sometimes 8x10 but am currently equipped up to 14x17 which I'll attempt soon.

They also currently sell a Fuji RC paper here in a roll (110.5cm X 20m)
Was thinking about buying this with friends and maybe do some really large prints.

I read that people usually tube develop these big papers but I wonder how. I also read some reports of people using sponges on a simple tarp to apply the chemicals.

What is the biggest print you've done and how would you go about printing a 1m x 1m paper?

Thanks,
Ben
 
majid said:
Find a rental darkroom.
Click to expand...

We have darkrooms here but they don't often go over 11x14. As I can go 14x17 at home - don't really need the rental place.
There might be places where I could print 20x24 though but not the meter wide stuff.

Also - this isn't a necessity - was just playing with the idea how to do it DIY and if any other amateurs out there on RFF have attempted to print big.

Thanks,
Ben
 
I've never done it, but I believe the classic trick was to turn the enlarger over and project the image onto a wall.

I forget now whether it's a 1920s catalogue or an early "How to Make Good Pictures", but I have a Kodak publication showing how to mount a camera on a board that fits into a blacked-out window, and use natural light falling on the open back to project an image through the lens onto the opposite wall (I guess you could also use an easel closer-up). I have to say that I think that's more of a curiosity than a recommendation, but now you know...

Adrian
 
Muggins said:
I've never done it, but I believe the classic trick was to turn the enlarger over and project the image onto a wall.

I forget now whether it's a 1920s catalogue or an early "How to Make Good Pictures", but I have a Kodak publication showing how to mount a camera on a board that fits into a blacked-out window, and use natural light falling on the open back to project an image through the lens onto the opposite wall (I guess you could also use an easel closer-up). I have to say that I think that's more of a curiosity than a recommendation, but now you know...

Adrian
Click to expand...

Hi,

Sorry that I wasn't clear in my initial post. I do have an enlarger that has a head which turns so there's no problem with the projection. It's the actual paper handling / developing etc.

Thanks,
Ben
 
Muggins said:
Ah sorry. Having never done it, I can only assume huge trays!

Adrian
Click to expand...

Yes and that is the problem. There aren't trays of this size.
Therefore I was thinking of using tubes and other methods.

Wonder what others are doing who print big.

Thanks,
Ben
 
large trays do exist. E.g. a leakage tray under a washing machine. Or a shower tub.

You'll consume a lot of chemistry, in any case.

That video is nice, i was also curious how one dries these big prints, it seems just hangin' it like they do at the end would result in serious waving/warping of the paper...

ps, why do all LF photographers end up looking like Ansel Adams?:D
 
How about making a wooden frame as a mold and make a tray of glass fiber? Otherwise I suggest you ask over at the large format forum, I bet there are more people doing huge prints over there :)
 
Pherdinand said:
You'll consume a lot of chemistry, in any case.
Click to expand...

Important point ! Not only a large amount of chemicals are needed but I believe that the fixer's life span will be severely reduced after a massive exposition to air in a 1 sq mt tray....
 
French company Deville sells a product called Bobinoir, a so called "winder print developer" that allows to process rolls of up to 10 m length and up to 137 cm in width. It is available in Germany through Fotoimpex and in the UK through Firstcall. Not cheap and probably not an option for most of us, but I wanted to share this just in case. they also offer tray up to 60x80 cm in size.
Link to product pdf (in French)
 
If you're printing for a customer, then I can see the point of printing as large as they require. However, for one's own home, my view is that print size needs to be in keeping with room size, ceiling height and space available.

I live in a small, two beroom semi-datached, modern house. I shoot square format MF and 3:2 format 35mm. I'll crop and alter the aspect ratio to suit the end result but I seldom have anything printed larger than 12"x8" or 10" square.

When I had my own darkroom (a long time ago), I used to print up to 20"x16" (more commonly 16"x12"). This was expensive (for me) but I thought it was the thing to do. However, I like the intimacy of smaller prints and the lower cost means I can afford more of them.
 
I did an exhibition years ago where I printed a long panoramic image in sections. Each section was about 1.35m, but only 25cm high. The combined length was 16m.
I converted a 4x5 camera into a custom enlarger for the job. I projected on a wall, just taping the paper up.
I ended up using large regular trays. I also had access to trough trays but didn't use them. I had them set up on the floor, and agitated by holding either end with the middle hanging in the tray, and pulling guiding the print in a seesaw motion.

With a wider print, a trough, and agitating by rolling makes more sense. I wonder if you could find planter boxes at a garden supply that are the right shape and size. You'd need to check for weep holes in the base though.
 
Thanks for all the replies and points. Will check with the large format guys.

I wasn't going to do this (print big) often and therefore was looking for a cheap and relatively compact solution that could be tucked away when not in use. I guess there isn't such solution or at least not on the cheap.

I may go to a DIY place to buy some planting trays, one that's a meter or so long and at least 30cm wide and 30cm deep. That way with two people it could be done in a seesaw sort of way with one lifting and one dunking repeatedly.

The paper that went on sale here is just too tempting not to try. Will do it mostly for the fun of it.

As for 20x24, those trays are available here and are quite affordable. The problem is that there isn't a 20x24 RC paper sold here in Japan and I can't quite dry and wash a 20x24 fibre print at home. The largest RC here is the 18x22 or of course we could cut any size from the above mentioned roll.

Thanks
Ben
 
It might be easier to order 20 x 24 RC paper from one of the large stores outside of Japan and have it shipped.
 
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