Cutting down 8x10?

[ChristopherCoy]

I’ve got a box of Arista 8x10 sheet film in the freezer, and I need to cut it down to 4x5. I’ll be working in a changing bag so I can’t fit a paper cutter in there.

I’m thinking of using a 4x5 piece of foam board as a guide. I know there is a notch on sheet film so I’ll also have to transfer that to the smaller sheets.

anyone have any tips, advice, or suggestions for how you do it?

 

[removed account4]

don't forget 4x5 film is not 4x5". its 1/16" smaller.

 

[peter k.]

We cut 4x5 down to 3x4, 9x12 and to medium format size in an old large changing bag, that has a cardboard file box bottom fitted inside. Giving it a large unobstructed area in which to cut the film. Thus allowing one to raise and lower the cutting blade without any interference from the fabric of the changing bag. The file box lies on its side, with a rectangular hole cut out in what normally would be the bottom of the box, which is situated now to the rear of the changing bag, where the zippers are, and allows access to the changing bags interior.

Of course this is not 8x10, but believe if you put the cutting board sideways, with the knife edge to the front or back of the changing bag, there would be enough area to facilitate cutting your 8x10 into 4x5.

Just a thought...

 

[ChristopherCoy]

don't forget 4x5 film is not 4x5". its 1/16" smaller.

I ws just reading that. Looks like many people have posted the question but there’s not been a lot of follow through.

 

[peter k.]

BTW the box was put into the changing bag, flat, and then opened inside. The file box was from Staples.

 

[koraks]

I’ll be working in a changing bag

Personally I wouldn't even try. It's hard enough in a darkroom without a changing bag IMO. Kudos if you manage it without damaging the film.

 

[Maris]

I’ll be working in a changing bag so I can’t fit a paper cutter in there....

Oh please do it another way. Holding a piece of film while passing a razor sharp knife through it all in a changing bag is a good way to cut your hands to pieces. Blood and film don't mix.

 

[removed account4]

I ws just reading that. Looks like many people have posted the question but there’s not been a lot of follow through.

1/16” difference. 4x5 is the plate size. The film septum’s took space and made film smaller. Hard enough in a darkroom. Good luck in a changing bag! Kids IR goggles might be a good investment and dark out cloth….
I've had to cut film down, and for me didn't end well. Its hard enough cutting paper down with a red light on LOL

 

[Vaughn]

Sell the film and buy lots of 4x5.

Dust, fingerprints, having to cut a corner of 3 of the sheets to replace the notch, losing sheets to bad cuts. But a good way to learn how to handle film.

 

[MattKing]

Do it in your remote darkroom instead.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Sell the film and buy lots of 4x5.

Dust, fingerprints, having to cut a corner of 3 of the sheets to replace the notch, losing sheets to bad cuts. But a good way to learn how to handle film.

OOOORRRRRr.... I could just build an 8x10 pinhole!

 

[Neal]

OOOORRRRRr.... I could just build an 8x10 pinhole!

Now that is a great idea!

 

[John Salim]

I used to cut 10"x8" down to 5"x4" all the time with no problems at all ( using a rotary trimmer ) ... but using IR googles and wearing gloves helps !

John S

 

[removedacct1]

Don’t. You’ll just end up with film you can’t use in ANY film holder.

 

[Horatio]

I vote for the IR goggles. Those could be handy for other things as well.

 

[bdial]

A small scrapbooking paper cutter might help.
I use the one shown in this link; paper trimmer to cut my negatives after developing. Sheet film will challenge it a bit, vs roll film, but it should work ok, and help you avoid xacto hazards. You can rig up a fence with some tape and card stock to get the measurements right. There is also a card making trimmer that's similar, and a bit shorter.
All that said, Vaughn's idea, or making an 8x10 pinhole has much merit.

 

[removed account4]

A small scrapbooking paper cutter might help.
I use the one shown in this link; paper trimmer to cut my negatives after developing. Sheet film will challenge it a bit, vs roll film, but it should work ok, and help you avoid xacto hazards. You can rig up a fence with some tape and card stock to get the measurements right. There is also a card making trimmer that's similar, and a bit shorter.
All that said, Vaughn's idea, or making an 8x10 pinhole has much merit.

I was going to suggest this same thing but had the feeling sliding film under the "guard" would scratch the daylights out of it..

 

[bdial]

I was going to suggest this same thing but had the feeling sliding film under the "guard" would scratch the daylights out of it..

On the one I linked, the guard, actually the track that the cutter rides in, pivots to clear the surface by 12ish mm / 1/2 inch, or so. So, it's not too difficult to keep the film from touching. Even with it down, I've not noticed scratching with my processed film, as long as the cutter is out of the way (DAMHIK).
But working in the dark with unprocessed film in the dark, especially in a bag, is a different ball game than working on a light box with room lights on so it's certainly something to be cautious of.
I also mostly use fairly scratch-resistant films, like Kodak and Ilford, mileage may vary with some of the others.

 

[Don_ih]

Cutting the bigger film with a paper cutter (the one that pivots) will not go very well. As the blade goes down, it tends to pull the film to one side and you end up with cuts that aren't straight. Unless, of course, you can press down on the film firmly, close to the blade. In the dark.
Rotary trimmers are generally not robust enough for thick base 8x10 film. The cheap scrapbooking ones will not last long trying to cut that film.
So, off with you to buy an 8x10 holder!

 

[ChristopherCoy]

So, off with you to buy an 8x10 holder!

I'm six paces ahead of you sir.

 

[tomkatf]

Sell the film and buy lots of 4x5.

Dust, fingerprints, having to cut a corner of 3 of the sheets to replace the notch, losing sheets to bad cuts. But a good way to learn how to handle film.

This ^^^^ Buy 4x5 film... I would estimate 4 out of 5 (haha) attempts using your method will end in disaster... sweaty hands inside a changing bag trying to cut large sheets down to size??? No bueno...