How to do contact prints?

[snaggs]

I dont have an enlarger.. but I do now have a Jobo ATL-1500 which can auto-process a single 8x10 for me.. so I'm thinking I could at least do my own contact prints.

What can I get which will let me do 35mm, 120 and 2x4.5 contact prints on a single 8x10?

Daniel.

 

[jolefler]

You can start as simply as three dish trays, an 8X10 sheet of single pane glass and a 15 watt light bulb. Add more when you find it desireable.

Jo

OOPS, forget the dish trays....you've got a big leg-up already. My memory is gone; a happy product of the 60's, folks.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Daniel, there are various contact printing frames out there, but the one model which will do 35mm, 120, 4x5" x 4 sheets & 8x10" is made by Hama.

I have one and it was bought by me about 35 years ago. They were very popular in this country in the seventies and into the eighties.

Basically though if you get some 6mm glass or 10mm for added weight, get the edges bevelled so you don't cut yourself.

If you find an upholsterer locally you will find that they have an enormous range of foam. One of my brothers is an upholsterer I have found a medium density foam about 10mm thick, is about perfect.

You place the foam on a flat surface, then the paper, film emulsion side down on the paper, glass on top of the film.

Switch whatever light you have, using your second hand on your wristwatch as a timer.

I have found bed reading lamps with low wattage pearl globes pretty good. A pearl globe will give you a more even illumination.

Mick.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Daniel, I just re-read your post. I wouldn't develop the paper in the Jobo, you can, but I wouldn't.

If you buy three kitty litter trays, or something like that from the local $2.00 shop, you will be heaps faster and be able to see just how the print develops. If it's too dense or light, you will know in about 60 seconds with confirmation coming in about another 60 seconds when the paper hits the fixer. You can then immediately expose another sheet without having to dry your drum and prime the machine.

I'm assuming you have at least one safelight!

Mick.

 

[snaggs]

I don't have a safe light.. I do have some trays somewhere.. but I thought that would require a darkroom.. once again, something I don't have. I have a change tent I use to do 4x5 film.. If I can't do this I'll just have to goto the lab and pay for contact prints, but they're not cheap.

Daniel.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Daniel, I have used moonlight coming through a kitchen window and me sitting in the doorway of the bathroom with just enough light to see what I was doing, for contact prints.

I'm not saying this is a good idea, but I have done this in various places around the world, including in a two man tent whilst travelling on a motorcycle 30 odd years ago.

Whatever you do, keep your box of paper safe and only take out a sheet in total darkness, then open your door/curtain/blind to allow some light with which you can work with.

Even if you get some slight paper fogging, you'll be able to see exactly what you shot and it'll be all of your own handiwork, great feeling that!

Mick.

 

[reub2000]

Snaggs: Get a couple of 11watt safelight bulb and fit them in clamp lamps. Just enough so that you can see what your doing. Get some black posterboard and some gaffers tape and tape it over your windows.