How to cut a 8x10 sheet into two 5x7 sheets??

[morkolv]

Hi There!

My current process preference is C-41. So in order to try my new 5x7 camera with color negative film, I bid and won an auction for some outdated 8x10 Fuji NPL.

My plan is to split each sheet into two 5x7 sheets, using a papercutter and a set of yet-to-be-defined cutting guides/blocks.

Any advise on this ? In which order should it be done ? i.e. first to 7x10, then to 5x7 or the other way? And how to cut film notches?

Thanks in advance!

All the best

 

[David H. Bebbington]

On the rare occasion I have done this, I have used a rotary cutter and have fixed short wooden rulers to either end of the baseboard with double-sided sticky tape to act as stops in the dark. In the case of 8x10" -> 5x7", one would be at a depth of 5" to cut the sheet in half, the other would be at a depth of 7" to trim the 5x8" half sheet to 5x7". Make the fewest possible number of cuts to save handling the film any more than necessary.
Scratching can be a problem - if I cut film, I always place it between two sheets of paper.

Regards,

David

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Q-T Luong has done this quite a lot, and I he's posted a good description of his method over at the Q&A forum at lfphoto.info. A search over there should turn it up.

 

[Ole]

Morten, I might have a box or two of 5x7" colour negative film... If I do, you're welcome to it since I use 90% BW, 10% E6! Then again it might be 13x18cm film, which you would need other holders for...

 

[removed account4]

Hi There!

My current process preference is C-41. So in order to try my new 5x7 camera with color negative film, I bid and won an auction for some outdated 8x10 Fuji NPL.

My plan is to split each sheet into two 5x7 sheets, using a papercutter and a set of yet-to-be-defined cutting guides/blocks.

Any advise on this ? In which order should it be done ? i.e. first to 7x10, then to 5x7 or the other way? And how to cut film notches?

Thanks in advance!

All the best

just remember to cut it a little bit smaller than 5x7 ... *the plate* used to be 5x7, the film is about 1/32" or 2/32" smaller ..

good luck!
-john

 

[noseoil]

I would do a cross-cut at 5" first (or slightly smaller). Next, use a paper punch to make the notches. You will have to set one up with a stop that splits a line on the film at 7" or in other words, about 1" in from the edge. Last cut is at the 7" mark and you are done. This will give you the size and notch at the same time when the punched hole is cut in half. As John has suggested, do a trial run to make sure you have the correct size for your film holders. Make sure to keep the film in a face-up position at all times and you might consider some interleaving between sheets like Efke does with their B&W films to minimize scratches.

Use paper to get the correct size first, then some film stock to make sure the cutting equipment is up to the job. A paper cutter will try to pull the film into the shear and make a curved cut, so a rotary trimmer would be better. If you have to trim a very small amount off of the edge, a paper cutter is nearly impossible to use. Best of luck and glad you have some film for your camera. tim

 

[wm blunt]

Morten,
I would "sacrifice" one sheet to make sure of the size of the original sheet. If you cut the sheet exactly to 5 inches one sheet may be too narrow and the other too wide. often 8x10 sheet film is not 8x10.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I do this often. I use a Rotatrim, but another cutter would work as well. I keep one sheet of junk 5x7 film as a template to adjust the cutter in the dark. To adjsut the size put the template film in and align it by feel against the blade and secure the cutters stop against it. This method eliminates the need to measure and can be done in the dark.

First cut the 7" side, making sure to trim off the corner with the notches, this means the film will be emulsion up. Then adjust the cutter for the 5" side. Turn the film so the last side to be cut will be the one with the old notches on it (if any are left after the first cut).

I then use a corner rounder (from my wifes scrapbook kit) to mark the upper right corner. Rember to always keep the emulsion up so you know what corner to mark and to avoid scratching the film. Also wear cotton gloves (I take them off to adjust the size). With the RotaTrim I cut three sheets at a time, but with the older guillotine cutter I used only one sheet at a time could be done.

 

[Loose Gravel]

Years ago I cut 810 Techpan to 57 size. I borrowed a cutter from a photo lab. It was a guillotine type and had a clamp. It could cut 25 sheets at a wack.

 

[Dave Wooten]

i wouldnt mind having a 5 x 8 conversion back