Contact prints w Film in Sleeves: How to do it right?

[gbenaim]

Hi All,

I've run into a little problem. When doing my 4x5 proofs w the film inside printfile sleeves, I get out of focus areas which are not in the neg and don't appear when printing without the sleeves. For obvious reasons I'd like to be able to do my proofs w the sleeves, so was wondering whether there's some way around this problem. I haven't had this happen w 6x6, so it's go to do w the thickness of the 4x5 sleeves. I tried pressing on the glass while exposing, but that didn't do it. Thanks in advance,

GB

 

[Ryuji]

Actually, I think that problem is very typical with 35mm and roll formats as well...

 

[Ole]

I notice the same thing when I just use a glass sheet to press it down, yet my alt (contact) prints made in contact printing frames are tack sharp.

so you need more pressure - a lot more pressure!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think this is always a problem when proofing in sleeves even with good pressure from a spring-back contact printing frame, so I proof without the sleeve. I know of one lab (Duggal) that produces sharp proofs in the sleeve, and I suspect they are proofing using an 11x14" enlarger with a glass neg carrier set to project at 1:1.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

A stiff pressure is the only solution. I've had the same thing on my 35mm proofs. In my case I noticed it because the contrast of my proofs just didn't look right. Because the film curls a little, the glass plate can almost floats over the film unless you squeeze, but I didn't squeeze enough. Printfile sells proofers for a good price at Freestyle. They have a clip that keeps the sandwich flat, I think.

 

[Silverhead]

There's another proofer available called the Ultimate Contact Frame that looks really good. It's made of hardwood and is available in two sizes...I think they make one that'll handle 8x10" & another for 11X14". Freestyle carries it...haven't seen it anywhere else.