35mm & liquid emulsion

muzzatron · May 29, 2015

HI all,
Just wondering if I can brush some liquid light onto some exposed 35mm film and reload the canister? I can't think why it shouldn't work? I wouldn't look like bought film, but part of the fun.

Anyone tried this?

gone · May 29, 2015

I am not sure if the coating is translucent or opaque. If its translucent, you're going to see the exposed image that is already on the roll through it. If its opaque, all you could get are 35mm positive images that you couldn't print. By the same token, if its translucent and you brushed it onto unexposed film in the darkroom and rolled it back into the can, you'd have the original film emulsion that is on the film, along w/ the liquid light emulsion too. Might make for some long exposures unless you used a sacrificial roll of very fast film.

From what I can glean on the web, the emulsion is translucent, at least if its applied thinly. Two potential problems w/ your idea though. Will it adhere to your slick film, and will it not crack and flake off when its rolled back into the canister? From what I read, its a delicate emulsion.

This should give you some answers

http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes/gelatin-silver/silver-gelatin-dry-plate-process

darkosaric · May 29, 2015

I would try with some 120 box camera (like brownie, agfa clack or something similar) - maybe you will make 35mm camera dirty inside, 120 box camera are much less complex and easy to clean.
You can try with paper cut in film size. Also iso value of liquid emulsion is something that needs to be calculated, I think you will use bulb option more often than you want .

removed account4 · May 29, 2015

muzzatron said:
HI all,
Just wondering if I can brush some liquid light onto some exposed 35mm film and reload the canister? I can't think why it shouldn't work? I wouldn't look like bought film, but part of the fun.

Anyone tried this?

hi muzzatron !

i have done that,
i couldn't get it to work well, but maybe you will be able to ?
i also coat small pieces of paper and use that in my 35mm ...
i haven't spooled any 35mm paper because sometimes paper
causes too much tension on the wind clutch and can hurt the camera
( been there before ) ... darko is right about the bulb option, liquid light is iso 1 ish
have a looksie at the light farm ( http://www.thelightfarm.com ) denise coats her own film
her methods might give you some ideas for your own project

have fun !
( and post your results ! )
john

Gerald C Koch · May 29, 2015

The resulting film would be thicker than normal for 35mm film and could cause problems. Then too emulsions contain other chemicals needed for this small format. The Mamiiya C3 family of cameras have a special back for the use of single sheets. Something like this would be ideal.

bsdunek · May 29, 2015

John, thanks for the link to 'The Light Farm'. I wasn't aware of that. Very interesting!
Gerald, quite true. I use the cut film holders and back with my Mamiya Press. Great for trying things, and no advance mechanism to damage.

muzzatron · Jun 1, 2015

Yeah Ok. A bit more complex than I had first thought. My original thought was finding a way to get an unconventional look. It still might be worth pursuing though.
Thanks for the lightfarm link!!!

paul_c5x4 · Jun 1, 2015

Have you come across Washi film yet ?

Coating your own 35mm film is doable - There was a thread a few years back: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

If coating film proves to be too difficult, there is no reason why you couldn't use glass plates - The camera back would probably need to be modified and it would be a strictly one shot set-up. Alternatively, moving up to LF gives you the option of using plate holders.

removed account4 · Jun 1, 2015

bruce and muzzatron,
you're very welcome !
that place is a gold mine ---
or should i say an emulsion farm

good luck !
john

35mm & liquid emulsion

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency