4X10 using a spacer

[Buster6X6]

I just bought a "spacer" or what ever you call it to insert into the 8X10 film holder to make panoramic images. Does anyone know how this item is used or how I have to modify a film holder to be able to make 4X10 panoramic images?

Thanks in advance Greg

 

[robsoe]

Are you talking about this:
http://benderphoto.com/4x10pa.htm

 

[Buster6X6]

Thanks for the link.I have not seen one of these or used one so any information is welcome. I guess I have some spare dark slides that I can adopt to use with the insert. Do you have to have a changing bag to move the slide to the other side?

Greg

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Put the holder in the camera after composing the image, pull the regular darkslide, insert the half darkslide, and make the exposure. Pull the half darkslide and insert the regular slide. Remove the holder as you normally would and mark the half of the sheet that is exposed. Now you're ready to compose your next pano, but this time, you'll insert the half darkslide the other way.

No changing bag required.

 

[Buster6X6]

Thanks David
I understand now how this works with a half dark slide. Very nice, but what about the gizmo I bought . It's a wooden 4X10 insert that fits I guess half way into a 8X10 film holder. So saying that do I have to use a half a sheet of film(4X10) with this slider? It is totally new to me.

Greg

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've never seen such a thing. It's not a sliding mask that fits in a Deardorff back, is it? These only work with the backs they were designed for. Could you post a link to the manufacturer or where you got it?

 

[Buster6X6]

That is correct David I just noticed now it said Deardorff, s**t. O'well I paid $4.99 for it not to much to learn something new.

Now I have to work on to buy 8X10 Deardorff

Thanks Greg

 

[jimgalli]

Perfect excuse to buy the rest of the Deardorff! Well done!!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Having identified them, I'm sure some 8x10" Deardorff owner would buy them for more than you paid for them.

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

I use a half darkslide on my 8x10 all the time. David's directions are simple and spot on. I will make two suggestions... I center the half of the groundglass that I am going to be using within the center of my lens circle before I begin composing. If you have a lens with tons of coverage it may not matter but if you don't have much wiggle room this can buy you some.

Also, if you're going to make two exposures of the same compostion on the same sheet (make sure you plan on developing them the same way) simply reverse the back. That puts the right half of the film in the proper spot... Best. Shawn

 

[Buster6X6]

Thanks Shawn
Well I know I learn something every day but to learn something I did not know I am going to learn is very inspiring to get a slide and give it a go.

Greg

 

[photomc]

Greg, all may not be lost..look at your camera back, on the inside and see if there are groves cut in front of the gg. If so, take the "splitter" and see if it will fit. Since each mfg had differences in the size of the back it may or may not fit. But hey give a try...I made one for my Korona and it works great. It ends up in front of the film but is still attached to the back, so it gives the 4x10 format when you expose a sheet of film. Put the darkslide back in the film holder, move the splitter up (or down) and you can make a duplicate on the other half.

Not only can you get 4x10 that way, but you can also get a 5x8 with a different size splitter or even 6x8, etc. Have fun!!

 

[JBrunner]

***TIP***

Original tip credit- Jim Galli.

If there is a lens you will use allot with the 4x10, consider making a lensboard with the hole drilled off-center, that is, centered on the 4x10 offset. Rotate the board to match the offset to maintain max movements.

 

[Buster6X6]

Thanks Mike
I have a C1 so I'll give it a try. What is easier to use wooden splitter or modified slide?

JB that's a great idea. I'll give it a try.

Greg

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

I've only used a half darkslide (which is very simple) so I can't say which is easier but I am certain which weighs less... I use a C1 as well so I know the less everything else weighs the better. Best. Shawn

 

[photomc]

Greg, not having worked with a C1 not sure which is easier, but I trust Shawn's advice. As to weight, it would be a wash IMO, since the board I have weighs next to nothing (the thin light hobby board). JBrunners tip from JG sounds like a good one. Just remember with the half darkslide, you will start with the regular (whole) darkslide in the film back; compose, insert film back and pull the darkslide; insert the half darkslide; expose; insert full darkslide; and either recompose or pull the full darkslide again, insert the half darkslide open end opposite of the last exposure (say if the opening is on top the first time, then the 2nd time it should be on bottom), expose, return the full darkslide and you now have 2 exposures on one 8x10 sheet of film. Know that is intuitive, but sometimes it is easier is someone walks you through the steps...and yeah, you will probably double expose a sheet or two, but that is just part of the fun.

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

...and yeah, you will probably double expose a sheet or two, but that is just part of the fun.

Ain't that the truth! :confused: As simple as it is I double exposed a sheet and pulled the holder out with the half darklide still inserted once... after you ruin a couple masterpieces it will quickly sink in.

 

[Jim Noel]

I have a set of splitters which I got with My Deardorff. I have made them for some other cameras which had slots for the. I also have half slides for the same purpose.

I find it difficult to keep up with which half of the film I have used when using the half slide. The sliders in the camera back are much easier to keep track of.

Actually I finally got tired of both approaches and built a 4x10 camera. Now my keeping up with which part of the film is exposed problem is eliminated.

 

[Buster6X6]

Thanks to every one who replied. I am not sure if I am going to like 4X10 so much to make a whole new camera but sure it would be nice to give it a try either with half a slide or splitter back. When I get it I'll see if it fits, and try both ways.
I have been using 6X6 for several years now and I like the format but last fall on Alex's suggestion I bought a folder and it is a blast ,take it with you any where you go( it is not as bulky as Blad). Since December I used it 15 times and Blad only once .
Again when I see 4X10 contact printed I'll decide if I am going to build the camera

Greg

 

[Vaughn]

I also use a cut darkslide -- one does have to keep things straight somehow (like remembering to put the full dark back when removing the holder, etc!.

I used a standard darkslide the first time -- it eventually got broke (I just kept it tossed in with my holders). Now I have one cut from a metal darkslide -- even if I bend it, I can straighten it out.

The weight factor, cost, flexibility (8x10 or 4x10) and the accessibility outweigh the ease-of-use of a dedicated 4x10 camera...for me anyway.

Vaughn

 

[Buster6X6]

Caution !

I got my "Deardorff 8X10 splitter" today.Good thing I have not spend to much money . DO NOT BID ON HIS AUCTIONS !!for the splitter. He made them out of cheap plywood and it is warped all to hell. It is false advertising to say it is original Deardorff. I could have bought a coffee for $4.99 a well.Chalked it to another eBay experience. I am glad that majority of the sellers have integrity.
Hope all of you who want one read this post. Thanks for the input.

Greg

 

[climbabout]

Thanks for the heads up - I was looking at those a while back.
Tim

 

[lee]

put the wooden spacer in the grooves in the back of the camera not in the holder

lee\c

 

[Buster6X6]

There is a Deardorff back with splitter inside 4X10 and 5X8


Cheers Greg

 

[Buster6X6]

It worked very nice

I gave it a try this weekend and made a 4X10 dark slide. And it worked excellent. Now I guess is just to contact print two images on one piece of 8X10 paper and cut them out to size? I did not want to make to many images not knowing how they going to come out. But two images I developed came out great! Now I have the option to make 4X10 if I want to.

Thanks every one who replied to this thread.

Cheers Greg