Freestyle vs. PF UV exposure boxes

hirudin · Nov 27, 2020

Hi All!

I've owned a Nuarc for several years, but I need to downsize and I'm looking around for a ready-made UV exposure box. I'm eyeing either the Freestyle or the PF versions... I'm wondering if anyone has opinions either way. I'm leaning toward the Photographers Formulary version, as it has 12 tubes vs. 8 in the Freestyle version, plus it also has a larger space in the 20x24 version which allows for a bigger contact frame.

I appreciate that folks often make their own, and recognize that DIY is another way, but honestly I don't have the time and want a unit that I can have delivered, turn on and get to work.

Thanks in advance!

-Jesse-

BrianShaw · Nov 27, 2020

You may not have much of a choice at the moment. PF: “The selected product combination is currently unavailable.” That would be my first choice also.

hirudin · Nov 27, 2020

They'll have new stock in a month

hirudin · Dec 22, 2020

I ended up getting the Arista product! I'll update with my impressions in a couple of weeks

BrianShaw · Dec 22, 2020

Can’t wait to hear. I might be in that market too.

hirudin · Jan 5, 2021

I've just started using the unit... all good so far... It's nice and compact, quiet and much better space-wise than my nuarc. My time for cyanotypes looks to be in the 30-40 minute range with traditional formula and HPR, but more tests need to be done.

JWMster · Feb 23, 2021

Some of these guys are selling equipment made by; http://www.eepjon.com/uv.htm which looks well made. As someone on the outside looking into these processes, I gotta admit I'm a bit dismayed to see the expenses of a good frame and UV light can start to crank pretty doggone close to an Epson Inkjet printer of reasonable size. Not a cheap-to-experiment with kind of thing. The other thing I think I'm seeing is the Vandyke Brown is the place to start for newbies - or something similar - as it is "easier".

fgorga · Feb 23, 2021

JWMster said:
Some of these guys are selling equipment made by; http://www.eepjon.com/uv.htm which looks well made. As someone on the outside looking into these processes, I gotta admit I'm a bit dismayed to see the expenses of a good frame and UV light can start to crank pretty doggone close to an Epson Inkjet printer of reasonable size. Not a cheap-to-experiment with kind of thing. The other thing I think I'm seeing is the Vandyke Brown is the place to start for newbies - or something similar - as it is "easier".

The EEP boxes are very nice and very well engineered. I have one of their 11x14 units.

However, one does not need to spend anywhere near that kind of money these days now that black light LEDs are available if one is willing to go the DYI route.

With minimal woodworking skills and pre-wired LED bars once can put a perfectly usable source together for less than a $100. One could probably even use a cardboard box instead of building a wooden unit.

Take a look at this thread, for example... https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/diy-uv-box.180065/#post-2354426

As for where to start down the alt process rabbit hole... Van Dyke is certainly a possibility. However, I bet that most folks get started with cyanotype. Cyanotype sensitizer is as inexpensive as it gets and the processing is also very simple. Van Dyke is not too much more complicated, but silver does cost more than iron!

JWMster · Feb 23, 2021

Frank: Thanks! Seems like I see from your blog that you've done some Piezography. That's kind of where I am. Started two years ago with an Epson P600 and then bought someone else's P800 because I like bigger prints. Call it an indulgence. In any case, I think about how close Piezography is to some of these other contact print alternative processes... and I see a way to consider in the future for LESS time in front of a computer. Not there now, but I'm looking and open minded. Lots to learn. Meantime, "I'll be watching".

Freestyle vs. PF UV exposure boxes

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