Film Advice for 8x10

[NedL]

I have a new matboard pinhole camera that I'm having fun with. I made it to use paper negatives, which I like very much for a number of reasons, and that will be the main use. Still, it would be fun to try to use film in it at some point. I was thinking of trying to use something I could develop under a red safelight. The options seem to be: Arista Ortho Litho, Ilford Ortho Plus ( a bit expensive ), green x-ray film or blue x-ray film. I would be contact printing them if that makes any difference ( e.g. not sure if that would matter with the emulsion on both sides of the x-ray film. ) I like the "ortho" look, and I also like the even more old fashioned look of film that is mostly blue sensitive. Any opinions or advice as to which of these might be a good choice? Any experience using them in pinhole? Am I going to run into extreme reciprocity differences between the middle and edges?

Ned

 

[removed account4]

hey ned !

how about some of that ilford DP paper ...
no contact printing needed

( you will probably need to flash it a little though or use a low contrast / maybe coffee based / developer )

have fun !
john

 

[NedL]

John, I'll probably try some DP eventually -- agree that sounds like fun. I've got a can of LPD here, but I'll tell you what... if/when I expose some DP I will develop it in coffee based developer in your honor!

 

[SMBooth]

NedL I think you be happy with either once you sort out your development and process, I have used both but only briefly the Ortho Lith, Its very thin but does not scratch as easy as the xray film and you get a good tonely range by using diluted development like rodinal 1:200. It very slow compared to Xray like ISO1.

 

[arealitystudios]

I'll weigh in and say I've used the Arista Ortho before for pinhole work and I liked the results just fine. You can't beat the price either.

 

[TheToadMen]

I got me some Maco Genius film (18x24 cm) I want to try. I also got me a bottle of Maco Ecoprint developer for this film.
Maco Genius is perfect for contact printing, even with alternative processes like gum printing or Salt printing.

And maybe try some developing Genius film with Cafenol as well? Never done Cafenol, but should be possible as well ....

 

[NedL]

Thank you everyone! It sounds like ortho litho would be good. Bert, no Genius film available here as far as I know, but that sounds like a similar graphics art copy film. I will get some when I make an order at Freestyle. Wow it sounds like it's going to be even slower than paper! I think it is kind of fun counting out whole minutes for pinhole photos...

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Take a look on EBay for item #170788982651

It's 8x10 Fuji HRT. I rate it ASA 200. It's ortho film which I process under a safelight. It's about $32 per box of 100. One piece of advice while processing. Handle with care because the it scratches easily when wet.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Well, if you're going to go with an ortho film, then I would recommend using x-ray. I use it quite a bit (green sensitive). It's cheap. Just be careful as many x-ray films have emulsion on both sides and scratch easily when wet. You can get a 100 sheet box for around $40. I just checked ebay, and some people are actually selling 100 sheet boxes for ridiculous prices like $400 and $1000 for 14x17 (which I use sometimes). Try actual suppliers like cxsonline. Prints are quite sharp for contact printing. Reciprocity isn't too bad.

 

[NedL]

Thanks everyone... it sounds like I can do well with any of these choices. The price of x-ray film is hard to beat.