Contact printing using 16x20 vacuum printing frame

[bkarasek]

I recently acquired several boxes of ADOX 16x20 paper and a 16x20 vacuum contact printing frame with vacuum pump. Until now, I have printed 8x10 contact sheets using my Omega D2v as the light source. Obviously, the sheer size of the 16x20 frame prohibits me from using it under the enlarger, so I am thinking that I should make a dedicated contact printing set-up using an overhead bulb as the source of illumination.
If anybody has a similar set-up using a overhead bulb, I would welcome any input, ideas, pictures.

Thanks!

 

[Tim Layton]

A simple utility lamp holder like the ones you can get from Home Depot work great. Depending on your printing process, select a wattage bulb that is appropriate, and I have found something in the 36" to 50" range above the work surface works very well. A bare bulb and contact printing frame is all Edward Weston needed to create some of the most famous prints of all time. One tip that I will provide is to get a dimmer switch which will help you control the light. You can hook your overhead light to your timer too. I have even tested LED lights with good success. I built a filter frame that goes under my shop light source so that I can use my VC filters on my contact prints. Simple and repeatable is good. Best of luck.

Tim

I recently acquired several boxes of ADOX 16x20 paper and a 16x20 vacuum contact printing frame with vacuum pump. Until now, I have printed 8x10 contact sheets using my Omega D2v as the light source. Obviously, the sheer size of the 16x20 frame prohibits me from using it under the enlarger, so I am thinking that I should make a dedicated contact printing set-up using an overhead bulb as the source of illumination.
If anybody has a similar set-up using a overhead bulb, I would welcome any input, ideas, pictures.

Thanks!

 

[Darryl Roberts]

I recently acquired several boxes of ADOX 16x20 paper and a 16x20 vacuum contact printing frame with vacuum pump. Until now, I have printed 8x10 contact sheets using my Omega D2v as the light source. Obviously, the sheer size of the 16x20 frame prohibits me from using it under the enlarger, so I am thinking that I should make a dedicated contact printing set-up using an overhead bulb as the source of illumination.
If anybody has a similar set-up using a overhead bulb, I would welcome any input, ideas, pictures.

Thanks!

How did it go? I'm considering the same.

 

[glbeas]

Be sure you have the lamp far enough from the frame you dont have problems with light falloff from center to edge.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Be sure you have the lamp far enough from the frame you dont have problems with light falloff from center to edge.

Alright. Thank you

 

[glbeas]

Have you got a vacuum frame to use? Iv have a NuArc frame without the pump you can have if you want to put a system together.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

I'm heavily considering this process, I have a 5x7 conversion kit coming for my 4x5 Sinar Norma.

 

[glbeas]

Pm me, I wouldnt mind getting this thing out of the darkroom.