Printing ?

[karlori]

Hi,

I have been pondering the purchase of an Xpan for quite some time (ever since i went analog) and now I have an opportunity to borrow one for some time.
The question is, how would i go about printing from the negs ?
Have you done it ?
I could have access to a local lab but with no outside help at developing or printing ? What size paper did you use and how did you hold the negs ?

If you have the time and patience please describe the whole process, i would be very thankful !

 

[Colin Corneau]

It's quite simple. I found an extra neg holder, measured out an XPan neg and pencilled it onto the (metal) holder.

A friend has a plasma torch and made a very precise cut along those lines. From there, I simply sanded it very very smooth and I now have a custom-made XPan holder...works very well.

You also have the option of using anti-Newton glass as a holder.

You'll be amazed at the sharpness of the XPan's lenses!

 

[tlitody]

You need a medium format enlarger capable of printing 6x7 cm negatives as a minimum.

 

[karlori]

You need a medium format enlarger capable of printing 6x7 cm negatives as a minimum.

Uh oh, well there it goes came to a screeching halt before it even started... I guess there is no cheap(ish?) enlargers that wold do the job properly ?:bang:

 

[tlitody]

used medium format enlargers are cheap if you look around.

Look for a durst M670 BW or the M670 VC if you are only going to be doing black and white. Just make sure it has the mixing box for 6x7 format because some of them only have the mixing box for 35mm or 6x6.

There are lots of other models and makes too. Durst Modular 70 and various older models.

And even the durst M370 will do it if it has the 6x7 mixing box.

Just search ebay to see prices.

 

[KenR]

I just cut out a matboard holder for Widelux negs for my Beseler 45 enlarger based on the regular 35mm holder. Need to spray it matte black before I can use it. Took a few hours with careful cutting but it should work. I would imagine that a holder for the Xpan would be a similar project.

 

[didjiman]

a 4x5 enlarger can be have for $100-$200 now. Get a Rodenstock APO lens for $80-$100 and off you go. There is no better time to get into analog printing, if one is so choose.

 

[Pablito]

People giving away enlargers all the time if you live in a city. They take up space and people don't want them any more.
Glass 4x5 neg carrier, you can mask it off with black tape if you like.

 

[karlori]

People giving away enlargers all the time if you live in a city. They take up space and people don't want them any more.
Glass 4x5 neg carrier, you can mask it off with black tape if you like.

Nobody gives anything for free here and knowing people around here(my city) i would be better off buying from ebay or keh or someplace...

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into the enlargers this weekend, any feedback on the omega enlargers ? I see one on sale locally for some 50$ but the seller doesn't know the exact product name.