6 X 4.5 cm Enlargement sizes

[RattyMouse]

Does anyone know of a list of common sizes that 6 X 4.5 cm negatives can be enlarged to without cropping? I thought I knew a site that had this list but I cannot find it.

Thank you very much!

 

[ic-racer]

You can measure you negatives, but if you were to enlarge my negatives with an image size of 42.5 X 55mm (1.67322" x 2.16535") you can get a nice 6" x 4.5" image on an 8x10 sheet.

Since the format does not fit any standard paper size, making the border larger (as in the above example) minimizes the perception of inequality between film and format size.

 

[Bob-D659]

They are close to a 4:5 aspect ratio, so they are a close fit to 4x5, 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20 paper. Print border widths make a difference too.

 

[polka]

The size and aspect ratio of 645 negs varies depending on the model of the camera. But you do not need to crop the images if you do not want, you may enlarge them letting a black margin all around, and after that cut the paper with or without a few millimeters of black borders (à la H.C.B.).

But on the other side, why not crop (a little), and use any aspect ratio, if to better the composition. I do it all the time, even when shooting with a square camera and prefering a rectangular framing of the picture.

Paul

 

[tkamiya]

9x12 also fits pretty well with very small amount of cropping. This is a modeling industry standard in US.

Keep in mind though, the opening of the film carrier (of enlargers) is smaller than the frame size on your film....

Unless you are printing with dirty border style, small amount of cropping is necessary. Unless you let the mask of the easel be smaller than the projected image size, you won't get the crisp white border everyone expects.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

It's about aspect ratio. 645 means 6:4.5 or 4:3.
That means that the short dimension is 0.75 times the long dimension.
Take 8x10 paper and leave a nice 1" border around the image area for a 6x8" print. 6x8 corresponds perfectly to the aspect ratio of a 645 negative.
Take 11x14 paper and again leave a nice 1" border around the image area for a 9x12" print. 9x12 also corresponds perfectly to the aspect ratio of a 645 negative.
With 16x20 you have to fudge a little, because if you must subscribe to the aspect ratio of a 645 negative, you will print a 13.5" x 18", leaving a 1" border on the short side and a 1.25" border on the long side. Close enough, if you ask me.

I like leaving a 1" border on my paper, because if you don't mount and overmat your print, the 1" border makes the print look very nice on its own.

If you don't like leaving a 1" border around the print area, then you can use 12x16" paper and print on the entire paper area and still have a perfect 3:4 aspect ratio.

 

[RattyMouse]

Thanks everyone!