canon clear transparency film

MVNelson · Apr 10, 2007

out of curiosty, has anyone here tried using canon clear transparency film.? I over heard a canon rep discussing the use of Canon's clear transparency film for enlarged digital negatives. He said he made cyanotypes with this film. He also said that this material would be a good match for the canon ipf 5000 printer I use. Has anyone any experience wit it...?

Miles

rogein · Apr 12, 2007

I've not yet tried their clear tranny film but I can say their clear backcoat film isn't promising. It has a mottled coating giving the printed output a look of 'measles' - also takes forever to dry even when using a hair dryer.

MVNelson · Apr 12, 2007

OH !

rogein said:
I've not yet tried their clear tranny film but I can say their clear backcoat film isn't promising. It has a mottled coating giving the printed output a look of 'measles' - also takes forever to dry even when using a hair dryer.

oh well that doesn't sound good...more like a disease ....I have a sample of thier clears ohp comming, I'll let you know.

thanks

Miles

rogein · Apr 12, 2007

I'm looking forward to hearing your results. Thanks Miles!

MVNelson · Apr 18, 2007

1st negatives on canon transparent clear film are quite nice. The pigment density is at least what I got on pictorico ohp. The substrate is quite clear, with no milky-ness ,i.e contact prints quicker. The substrate literally adds nothing to the printed image, no grain, no haze, no density...so you actually sem to get a tad more contrast. The film is thinner than pictorico and handles more like camera film. It seems a little less mar resistent but about same as far as scratchability. A box of 100 sheets, 13"X19", cost about $100($1/sheet). It appears to be about dry as it comes through the printer but I have them air dry longer just in case. Testing goes on but so far so good...

Anonymous · Apr 18, 2007

Thanks Miles

rogein · Apr 18, 2007

Miles,

Is the surface completely dry? I found with the Photowarehouse Crystal Clear film it tended to 'stick' to the paper during printing producing 'measles' in the print - even after drying overnight and using a hairdryer.

MVNelson · Apr 18, 2007

rogein said:
Miles,

Is the surface completely dry? I found with the Photowarehouse Crystal Clear film it tended to 'stick' to the paper during printing producing 'measles' in the print - even after drying overnight and using a hairdryer.

I haven't noticed that at all so far. I will be doing more printing this pm after my real job and I'll get back with you...I will say that I hang air dry my coated paper which is quite dry before printing on it. I'm in Florida so I don't get too concerned about humidity...When I touch the printed surface of the film it feels dry and doesn't smudge...good question, none the less...

Miles

MVNelson · Apr 19, 2007

update...bottom line..I'm very pleased with Canon Transparent Clear Film (TCF)...I had no problems with sticking or measles or anything like that. Curiosusly, I also noticed that newton rings which I see on pictorico ohp while in the vacuum frame (not seen on prints) were not there with Canon TCF ??? That could be due to alot of things (humidity change, temp, etc..). The only adjustment that I had to make was to decrease my UV exposure because the TCF is much more transparent than OHP. The only issue with TCF at this point is that it is not offered in sizes smaller than 13"X19" in boxes of 100 sheets. The next choice I have to make is whether to go with the long rolls or not . I have a good amount of smaller OHP (81/2"X11") so I think I'm in good shape. Oh, and Imeasured the density of pigment lay down on TCF and OHP using the IPF5000 16 bit PS-CS2 driver and the backlit film setting and it does appear that TCF dried quicker but the ink density is a bit greater than the OHP...This will need more investigation and is probably more important for folks using QTR rip with the forced variable ink/pigment outputs...As for me I am very pleased with the ChartThrob curves...far less complicated, easy to tweak, far less testing and uses far less expensive materials...hmmm ... sorta like BTZS....to quote Dennis Miller, "...that's just my opinion...I could be wrong... .

Miles

rogein · Apr 19, 2007

Sounds good - thanks for the update Miles!

MVNelson · Apr 19, 2007

your welcome rogein...please let me know if you try out TCF and what kind of results you get.. The Canon rep told me that this substrate was "optimized" for printing with pigments and in particular the ipf's ...

good luck and have fun

Miles

sanking · Apr 21, 2007

Mvnelson said:
update...bottom line..I'm very pleased with Canon Transparent Clear Film (TCF)...I had no problems with sticking or measles or anything like that. Curiosusly, I also noticed that newton rings which I see on pictorico ohp while in the vacuum frame (not seen on prints) were not there with Canon TCF ??? That could be due to alot of things (humidity change, temp, etc..). The only adjustment that I had to make was to decrease my UV exposure because the TCF is much more transparent than OHP. The only issue with TCF at this point is that it is not offered in sizes smaller than 13"X19" in boxes of 100 sheets. The next choice I have to make is whether to go with the long rolls or not . I have a good amount of smaller OHP (81/2"X11") so I think I'm in good shape. Oh, and Imeasured the density of pigment lay down on TCF and OHP using the IPF5000 16 bit PS-CS2 driver and the backlit film setting and it does appear that TCF dried quicker but the ink density is a bit greater than the OHP...This will need more investigation and is probably more important for folks using QTR rip with the forced variable ink/pigment outputs...As for me I am very pleased with the ChartThrob curves...far less complicated, easy to tweak, far less testing and uses far less expensive materials...hmmm ... sorta like BTZS....to quote Dennis Miller, "...that's just my opinion...I could be wrong... .

Miles

Have you compared the Canon OHP material to Pictorico? I would be very interested in it if the pigment inks dry quickly. Pictorico works fine but the cloudy base adds slightly more than 1/2 stop to printing times. I also use the PhotoWarehouse OHP but, as others have pointed out, it does not dry well and the pigment may come off on the print during exposure, especially with vacuum frame printing. So if the Canon material dries fast and is very clear, it might be ideal for the pigment inks.

Just to be on the safe side, what exactly is the name of the Canon OHP? Is it exactly Canon Transparent Clear Film? And is is widely available?

Sandy

MVNelson · Apr 21, 2007

Sandy as I mentioned above I did compare Canon Transparent Clear Film (exact name)directly to the Pictorico OHP. I printed the same negative image to both materials and noted the differences. The Canon film is quite transparent and thin. It prints more than 1/2 stop quicker according to the step tablet speed test on pt/pd . I have printed several 13X19 inch negatives within 1 1/2 hr of making them without any forced drying and got no sticking, smearing, or negative damage. I use a NuArc VFC 143 with full vacuum (25-28). I use the ChartThrob method and I set my printer to "Backlit film " setting. I have not tried the variable pigment(ink) methods where I would be directly altering the printer's output volumns like QTR rip. So far I am quite ok with this material. The film is widely available. Check out this link, http://usa.canon.com/consumables/media.html . If you would like me to send you a couple of sheets to examine pm me ( the smallest quantity you can buy is 100 sheet box of 13X19inches for $100.00). hmmmm... no this is not an open invitation to all. I might not be able to afford that but I actually owe Sandy one for his BTZS curves, which BTW work great!

MVNelson · Apr 21, 2007

Oh, I forgot to say, The Canon IPF5000 prints with the LUCIA pigment ink set so I have nothing else to compare drying time with ...it seems pretty fast though... I ordered the Canon Transparent Clear Film from... http://www.digitalgraphicsresources.com

Miles

mkochsch · Apr 21, 2007

BJ Instant Dry Transparency

What's BJ Instant Dry Transparency then? Is this an older product? Not as good as the TCF?

~m

MVNelson · Apr 21, 2007

mkochsch said:
What's BJ Instant Dry Transparency then? Is this an older product? Not as good as the TCF?

~m

I don't know the answer to that...:rolleyes:

Miles

mkochsch · Apr 21, 2007

Smoothness

I've wondered how much of the grain I see in Pictorico OHP is from the material itself, side-by-side how does the Canon material compare when you're printing solid tones like in a digital step wedge; tablet like ChartThrob or an Array for that matter?

~m

sanking · Apr 22, 2007

Mvnelson said:
Sandy as I mentioned above I did compare Canon Transparent Clear Film (exact name)directly to the Pictorico OHP. I printed the same negative image to both materials and noted the differences. The Canon film is quite transparent and thin. It prints more than 1/2 stop quicker according to the step tablet speed test on pt/pd . I have printed several 13X19 inch negatives within 1 1/2 hr of making them without any forced drying and got no sticking, smearing, or negative damage. I use a NuArc VFC 143 with full vacuum (25-28). I use the ChartThrob method and I set my printer to "Backlit film " setting. I have not tried the variable pigment(ink) methods where I would be directly altering the printer's output volumns like QTR rip. So far I am quite ok with this material. The film is widely available. Check out this link, http://usa.canon.com/consumables/media.html . If you would like me to send you a couple of sheets to examine pm me ( the smallest quantity you can buy is 100 sheet box of 13X19inches for $100.00). hmmmm... no this is not an open invitation to all. I might not be able to afford that but I actually owe Sandy one for his BTZS curves, which BTW work great!

Hi Miles,

Definitely interested. Please contact me by pm at sanking@clemson.edu.

Best,

Sandy

mkochsch · Apr 22, 2007

Dye Inks + DMCF4HPS Clear Film

I noticed that the Canon material was recommended for "dye" inks. What kind of inks are you using? Does it really matter? On a side note I found this material -- says it smudges when wet and isn't waterfast either...HP only?!
~m

http://www.shadesofpaper.com/productinfo.php?&id=339
Dead Link Removed

p.s. and costs more...

MVNelson · Apr 22, 2007

mkochsch said:
I noticed that the Canon material was recommended for "dye" inks. What kind of inks are you using? Does it really matter? On a side note I found this material -- says it smudges when wet and isn't waterfast either...HP only?!
~m

http://www.shadesofpaper.com/productinfo.php?&id=339
Dead Link Removed

p.s. and costs more...

When I searched for "compatable" supplies the Canon Transparent Clear Film was listed for my Canon IPF 5000 printer. I actually stumbled on this product when I heard the Canon representative explaining to some art students how to make digital negatives for VDB, Cyanotypes and other contact prints using the Canon Transparent film and the IPF 5000 printer. He wouldn't/couldn't send me a sample but in a leap of faith I ordered a box. I'm not sure about how much grain I can attribute to Pictorico OHP. I can't see that I get any grain with the Canon TCF. This film is pretty clear. The question will be what happens if an application calls for maybe some 'SUPER' HEAVY' lay down of pigment/ink. Canon calls their LUCIA pigment inks, ink. My understanding is that the LUCIA pigment inks dry faster than their non LUCIA inks ???.

Sandy, I'll reach you shortly...I got an appendicitis to attend .

Miles

MVNelson · Apr 23, 2007

You know, I looked closure a the digineg on TCF with loup and I noticed that on a moderate enlargement the material seems to be resolving the original negative's image grain itself....If that helps?

Miles

rogein · May 3, 2007

I got my box of TCF last week and have been doing some preliminary testing. The stuff is clear with the slightest hint of 'texture'. Pigment inks (4800) dry quickly and are smudge free. With the 1280 (dye inks) I'm seeing pronounced 'puddling' using the 'inkjet film' paper setting. As Miles already pointed out printing speed is slightly faster than OHP. No problems getting enough density for platinum printing using Michael's 'array' w/charthrob. I am seeing one problem. I use a vacuum frame set at about 10psi and the coated surface seems to easily pickup little specks of what looks like paper fiber. Miles are you noticing anything like this?

Roger...

MVNelson · May 3, 2007

I actually crank up the pressure on my vacuum frame to about 20-25 and i noticed no problems at all. I use Cot320 and recently trying Weston. What paper(s) are you using? Also my UV light source is quite bright 3000/6000watts and my print times are pretty short, 90 to 150 secs. My paper is pretty dry ( usually air dry 8 hrs no hair dryer) and I use no hummidification because here the ambient hummidity is always above 65%(florida coast). I reinspected the digiital negatives which I have used multiple times and I see not trace of picking up anything(thank God). So far no issue with TCF,paper, Canon iPG5000 printer. My bigeest problem is that I have discovered that I HATE!!! counting drops(coating solutions) and so looking to start using pipettes and or syringes!

Miles

rogein · May 4, 2007

I've been using Weson for a few months now (and love it!) though my regular paper is Platine. For some reason I turned 'down' the vacuum after reading something on the web about recommending using a lower pressure for inkjet negs. I'll try increasing the pressure to see if that helps. Also will try another paper as well. My negs are bone dry - I can rub my finger over the printed area and see no smudging at all. The specks of fiber are all over the surface - not just the printed area. I really want to make the TCF 'work' as it's readily available through the local photo retailer and it's 'cheap' compared to OHP. (ie. I don't have to pay for the added cost and inconvenience of shipping from the States)

Roger...

MVNelson · May 4, 2007

rogein said:
I've been using Weson for a few months now (and love it!) though my regular paper is Platine. For some reason I turned 'down' the vacuum after reading something on the web about recommending using a lower pressure for inkjet negs. I'll try increasing the pressure to see if that helps. Also will try another paper as well. My negs are bone dry - I can rub my finger over the printed area and see no smudging at all. The specks of fiber are all over the surface - not just the printed area. I really want to make the TCF 'work' as it's readily available through the local photo retailer and it's 'cheap' compared to OHP. (ie. I don't have to pay for the added cost and inconvenience of shipping from the States)

Roger...

I wish I could help with the fiber specks but :confused: . Under a loup I just don't see anything...Does the fibers show up with both platine and weston?

I agree that as it goes this TCF is reasonable in price. I understand that it is used widely in photo art schools for creation of digital negatives for alt processes soooo.... My reasoning about the higher pressure...the more contact the sharper the image....I do understand you can damage the neg if there are foreign objects like dirt, grit, sand, fragments of printing materials that get caught between the paper and negative substrate.

Let me know how it goes...

Miles

canon clear transparency film

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency