I have ordered some 12x16 enlarging paper. I want to print an image 11 1/2x 14 1/2 on the paper. Then afterwards I got to thinking about an easel to fit it. I do have a Saunders 16x20 v track easel. What I was wondering is if there is an easel that is a 12x16 in a country not the USA? This paper will not fit my 11x14, and the 16x20 sometimes just doesn't fit under my enlarger for some of the sizes I print/crop.
Aggie, depending on your enlarger don't forget you could turn the head and project onto the floor / wall to make more room for your easel. Sorry if I'm suggesting the obvious that you've already considered
I have the 16x20 saunders v track. It just is a pain sometimes trying to position it with smaller images under my saunders enlarger. I have the 4550 XLG. That is why I was wondering about a 12x16. If one on the other side of the pnd will fit the paper, I will be extremely happy.
Not an answer to your question, but you might consider at some time in the future to wall mount the enlarger without the base board and come up with a table/papersafe/paper storage rack on two wheels that will sit flat when in use and can be moved about easily.
Blue tack is even better as it goes under the paper and so doesn't mark or obscure it. In fact, though, you should just be able to just place the paper on the baseboard. It shouldn't move unless the inside of the darkroom is windy, which doesn't seem that likely
Better late than never. I used up 10 or so sheets of my J&C Classic Museum paper this weekend and simply slid it into a 16X20 "Speed-Ez-EL". Worked great.
For many sizes I cut out an overmat, just like I use on exhibiting photos. I cut them to size & then overlay the paper I am printing on, marking the baseboard so I get the paper positioned properly.
This works well & is a lot easier for me than playing around with the cropping guides on print easels. It assures each photo is the same size & can be raised from the baseboard a bit to get soft edges if I want.
Aggie, I have a LPL four bladed easel that I bought in Greece which goes up to 30x40m(12x16") with blades and one size larger (35x45cm) with the frame lifted.
The difference of standard sizes between Europe and US was the reason I didn't buy a Saunders easel.