Another option for developing your prints is to do them in the same daylight tank you used for the film. You miss that "magic" moment of seeing the image come up in the developer, but it will work -- if you have something like a Mod54 you might even be able to fit 4x5 print paper into the film spaces (paper is a couple millimeters bigger than the film, so won't fit in, for instance, that Stearman 445 tank -- though I bet Stearman Press could produce film carriers for it that would fit 4x5 paper, if there were demand, or they could be 3D printed). I know you have the Intrepid camera/enlarger, but for those who might want to save a few quid and DIY a bit, a Speed or Crown Graphic (the Pacemaker model, please, to have the easily removed focusing screen) is a nice, rugged, and inexpensive 4x5 camera that can act as its own enlarger too -- the proper "Graflarger" accessory is pretty hard to find these days, but all that's needed is a way to hold the negative and an even light source behind it. Put that where the film holder would normally go, mount the camera on a copy stand or tripod with a "look down" capability (like the one you used in your Intrepid enlarger video a while back), and you can enlarge with the same camera and lens that made the negative.
I normally scan and print my 4x5 sheets. Because my enlarger isn't able to handle 4x5, your process seems to be a workable solution. KISS-Keep It Simple and Stupid ;-)
Thanks for spoiling us your living a a dream I can’t justify moving into 5x4 yet so your giving me my fix I am happy to continue my own love affair with film again with 35 mm and 120 i do enjoy your excellent informative videos roger I truly appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm may your journey forward continues thanks again I am looking forward to see what 2022 brings you me and the rest of the film loving world
You’ve got them coming thick and fast these videos Roger!! That was excellent though, very informative and inspiring for people wanting to try printing on a budget or wanting to have a go at large format without too much hassle. Haven’t tried large format myself, just medium, and got myself a 6x6 pinhole for Christmas!!
Totally going to use this to start doing 35mm contact sheets without an enlarger. Just starting with film (again, after many moons) as an adult and trying to keep it simple to start. This was perfect.
Thanks for an encouraging video on doing contact prints w/o an enlarger. I have everything else and have been thinking a barebuld and thought it was too unfocused but you are the second encouraging video I've seen tonight that proves doable. Good work!
Lots of contact prints were made like that back in the day, usually from 10x8 cameras. Maybe not as basic so the printer would have had a dedicated easel to clamp the paper down. I think Edward Weston worked like this.
You've provided a solution that introduces many photographers to the wonder of large format photography, as an affordable format, using simple and assessible equipment Well done!
A while ago, I had this funny idea of acquiring a 5X7 camera ( I think 4 of my LF lenses cover 5X7 and larger ) and do some alternative contact printing, Platinum Palladium to be exact. In the end I decided against it, not because of the extortionate price or complexity of the Platinum printing, but that I could not even find a single 5X7 film holder anywhere. There is magic in contact prints, and perhaps you could try ' Salt ' contact printing. It is quite effective in smaller print sizes. Very nice print BTW.
I love it!!! Great overview for folks!!! I was fortunate enough to borrow a 4x5 Speed Graphic in the 90s ... burned through a lot of film and Polaorids when it was less expensive ... I eventually bought a Speed Graphic and an old Kodak 8x10 and love to play with them ... recently got a mostly 3D printed 4x5 Standard branded camera ... fun stuff ... just need time to do my stuff!!!
Awesome video and tutorial. Love the cat litter trays and kitchen tongs. I shoot large format but haven't gotten into darkroom printing yet. This looks like a great place to start.
Great video very informative and well put together, brings back memories of when I was starting out in photography now being in photography for 30 + years as a top fashion photographer in Los Angeles, I’m originally from Tunbridge Wells, Kent,England. Nice job mate!
Brilliant Roger, when I was about 15 I had a wee darkroom cupboard and worked on 35 mm. Recently I have been thinking about the Ilford pinhole kit but was uncertain about processing the sheets. Thank you so much for your advice it brought back fond memories of shading and burning in.
Edward Weston was famous for contact printing using just a light bulb. I do have an enlarger that I can print my 5x4 negatives, but I’ve been thinking of doing more contact printing using your method to keep the whole process simple. Thank you for the video!
Terrific. I recently bought a half plate camera at auction that has three holders with it designed for glass plates. I need to do some bellows repair but then I shall be experimenting with it. I enjoyed seeing your work and found it inspiring. I know now that I can work without an enlarger (for a time) and just contact print the half plate negatives. BTW: I say half plate rather than 5x7 as the actual size of the plate area is 4.75 x 6.5 inches.
Well done, Roger. Encouraging analog shooters to dip there fingers into large format photography without breaking the bank. I do my 4x5 contact prints on 4x6 or 13x18cm papers while using the light of my 35mm enlarger. works just fine as well.
Awesome mate! You’ve inspired me to give it a go! Ive got my Granddad’s old Paterson contact printer (from the 60s?), gonna do some 120 contact prints and use caffenol to develop the paper
Nice DIY no nonsense video. Excellent. What about getting the intrepid 5x4 enlarger set up? You'll be blown away the quality of your prints at this format, I was lucky enough to be in the right place/right time when I purchased my LPL 7452 at a good price. I still get knocked sideways at the 3D effect of the 5x4 neg made into 16x20 print. Bloody marvellous mate 😊
@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss totally agree. Great for newbies, Secondhand darkroom (uk) have an LPL 7451 in stock depending on budget. Might be worth a call, sort out a price maybe?
Great video, I have been meaning to do some contact prints with my 4x5 Pinhole images for a while, instead of just scanning them 🙄 Just need to get some fresh chemicals and paper, thanks for the inspiration 👍
I have an enlarger than can handle 4x5, but do not have the lens or negative carrier to handle the format. I was thinking about making a cropped down neg. carrier and using the lens I have for med. format. It might not require too much cropping and you would still get the great tonal range and depth of field of 4x5. Might work with a smaller enlarger too.
Fomapan 4x5 sheets are absolute steals. Each 4x5 sheet costs as little as one 6x7 medium format exposure. Can't really find a good justification for expensive options such as Tri-X IMO
I just noticed that you have tape over the top of your steersman press , I sometimes have to do the same as I see the lit slide up What I have sussed out is to basically wet my finger with some saliva and rub it onto the rubber gasket , that often seems to stop it sliding up
good idea! like oil on a new car gasket. I have two of those tanks and one I have lost the cap. I think my wife chucked it thinking it was a soda bottle top!
@@ShootFilmLikeaBoss that's a very expensive soda bottle , I always screw mine back on as I had just that thought about the wife I'm sure if you reach out you could get a replacement I'm bet your not the first
That was very helpful and fun to watch. However, I'm wondering why you didn't use the light from your enlarger? Use it as you making contacts prints of your 35mm roll film. Any way keep up the good work maybe some day you'll make to the US western and we'll go to Yellowstone. Best time is spring before school get out for summer or even better is in fall after school is back in for fall semester.
Nice demonstration, Roger. May I ask how you hang up your 4x5 negs to dry ? I use Patterson film clips which leave a hole in the neg - which I try to keep out of the image area - but I can see that you have no visible holes on the contact prints.
i use two methods - wood clothes pins - the spring type - they can be hung with tape or string from what ever is handy (i have seen some small plastic ones I might try) or skirt/pants hangers that come with some of my wife's purchases. they have a pair of metal clips with plastic tips that slide on a rod. that way, i can space them to hang two 4x5 or 5x7 negs - or put them close to hang one 8x10 neither will leave a mark or hole in your negative
I actually have been using a "trouser" hanger from a clothes store which has two rubber based pegs on it. It can grip the negatives right on the corner tip.
