Cutting paper in the dark for 4X5

John Earley · Aug 24, 2020

I love Lazarus threads, back from the dead.

"paper negatives are notorious for dust etc."

That is what I find tom be one of the biggest problems with using paper for negatives. It is can ruin a good negative if not careful.

eli griggs · Aug 24, 2020

So which papers have you used in camera for paper negatives, John, and how do you deal with those pesky dust spots?

tonyowen34 · Aug 25, 2020

eli griggs said:
I have such a tube bulb and sleeve,Good luck!

For some years now I use a rotary cuter after setting the stop [one dimension at a time] with a 'corrected' 4x5 card template. I cut various multigrade papers and use a Patterson safe light at very close quarters without effecting the cut paper. I can determine the emulsion side by safe light illumination and mark the other side [so I know which way around to insert in DDS].
An 8x10 sheet gives four 4x5 [corrected] pieces of paper, whereas I've some 5x7 which is very wasteful for 4x5 paper negatives - but since I was given the 'old' paper is not costly to me
regards
Tony

tonyowen34 · Aug 25, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
,Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe 3 1/2x5.
It is usually smallest and cheapest package in the store.Fits to 4x5 tight and without cutting.

How does 3 1/2 x 5 paper fit into a 4x5 dds? The 3 1/2 is too narrow for the '4"' guides and the 5" dimension is a tad too long for the 'clamp' at the hinge end of a dds.

regards
Tony

pentaxuser · Aug 25, 2020

eli griggs said:
Because unlike with films and green inspection light filter only, this can be done in a very 'bright' darkroom, like mine, with a Thomas 30 watt Sodium Light and proper filtration and distance from my bench.

Even in an old fashioned red light darkroom, once your eyes adjust, there is plenty of illumination to use cutters, safely.

IMO.

+1 A 4 year old thread now and hopefully the OP has realised that safe safelights can be quite bright. There is absolutely no reason to struggle in unsafe or no light at all

pentaxuser

tezzasmall · Aug 25, 2020

pentaxuser said:
+1 A 4 year old thread now and hopefully the OP has realised that safe safelights can be quite bright. There is absolutely no reason to struggle in unsafe or no light at all

pentaxuser

Especially with the newer led bulbs in red, which quite a few people say they use now. I too have one and it's much brighter than two of my old Paterson safe lights. My darkroom has never been so (safely) bright!

Terry S

Sirius Glass · Aug 25, 2020

I use a Dahle 552 rotary cutting in my darkroom.

Ko.Fe. · Aug 25, 2020

tonyowen34 said:
How does 3 1/2 x 5 paper fit into a 4x5 dds? The 3 1/2 is too narrow for the '4"' guides and the 5" dimension is a tad too long for the 'clamp' at the hinge end of a dds.

regards
Tony

It fits as I wrote. I knew because I used it in 4x5 film holders.

Underwood by Kostya Fedot, on Flickr

Summicron, Leica. by Kostya Fedot, on Flickr

tonyowen34 · Aug 26, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
It fits as I wrote. I knew because I used it in 4x5 film folders

Okay, but was the 3 1/2 width held in one of the side guides of the dds OR was the 3 1/2 x 5 paper central with the dds and only held by the hinged clamp on the 'bottom' of the dds
regards
Tony

Cutting paper in the dark for 4X5

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