How many, cut film for their needs?

[peter k.]

I'm curious, how many cut their film to meet there needs?
And also wonder, ... are some of those needs, of different films, I don't use or are familiar with, very difficult to do yourself, for reasons I'm not aware of?
Please enlighten me. .. ;-)

Background:
I have a 3x4 Anniversary Speed, and an older Zeiss folder that is 9x12 cm.
For the Speed, and more recently for the Zeiss, I've tried different film brands, cutting it to the size I've needed. Started this several years ago, and once set up, no big deal. But I hate the waste, it goes against my grain. ;-)
Yeah I know, so go shoot it in my 4x5, but I like the 3x4 in the field without a tripod with the 90mm. The 4x5 is more awkward.

I'm down to my last box of Efkie 100 that was manufactured to 3.25 x 4.25, and thought I look into Ilfford's, special cut this year, as I do love their film, customer service, attitude and dependability. But gads I got the pricing for 3x4 today.. from the retail outlet I like to use.. $65.99 HP5 / 25 sheets, compared to the 4x5 going for $36.49. The waste is looking really lovely all of a sudden! ;-)

 

[snapguy]

parts

I have most of the parts, maybe all of them, I need to put together a 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Crown Graphic and a 4x5 Crown Graphic. When I get these FrankenGraphics put together I am going to shoot paper negs or prints due to the high price of film.
I have some cameras that take 127 film and I am going to try to utilize 35mm film instead. Some camera designs might make this rather easy but with others I might have to MickeyMouse a 35mm back, or film feed.

 

[Trask]

Sometimes I cut Minox-size film from 35mm -- but not often.

 

[Light Guru]

Couple thoughts for you.

Instead of cutting one 4x5 sheet into one 3x4 sheet you could cut one 8x10 sheet into six 3x4 sheets. This gives you two extra sheets from the same area of film.

You could also use x-ray film that stuff is about $35 for a box of 100 8x10 sheets, giving you 600 sheets for $35. It's also not sensitive to red light so you can use a safety light when cutting and while developing.

 

[peter k.]

Ah de light Guru..

you could cut one 8x10 sheet into six 3x4 sheets.

I have thought of that, but alas, right now I am still hybrid, and use a dark bag, which is to small for 8x10. But.. hopefully this summer I'll be help a friend build a dark room in his large shed, and I will have access to a darkroom, and another learning curve will be started.

 

[DannL.]

When I was using manufactured sheet film I would cut the odd sizes with a guillotine cutter. I still enjoy using photographic paper for paper negatives, so I still cut the odd sizes with that cutter.

Prior to cutting film I would thoroughly wash my hands followed by cleaning the finger-tips with alcohol on a cotton ball. Oily finger-prints and smudges on the emulsion can prevent the chemistry from working properly, leaving marks on your processed negatives.

 

[VPooler]

I cut 4x5 sheets from an aerial film roll with a photo trimmer. I imagine cutting sheet film will be easier since it is more rigid; aerial film is on tissue thin base!

 

[mopar_guy]

Couple thoughts for you.

Instead of cutting one 4x5 sheet into one 3x4 sheet you could cut one 8x10 sheet into six 3x4 sheets. This gives you two extra sheets from the same area of film.

You could also use x-ray film that stuff is about $35 for a box of 100 8x10 sheets, giving you 600 sheets for $35. It's also not sensitive to red light so you can use a safety light when cutting and while developing.

I get five sheets of 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 from one sheet of 8x10. I use a guillotine type cutter that I made a jig for and I do it all in the dark.

 

[Light Guru]

I get five sheets of 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 from one sheet of 8x10. I use a guillotine type cutter that I made a jig for and I do it all in the dark.

Not having used that film I didn't know the exact dementions, all the OP said was 3x4.