I need a decent contact printer!

[Matt5791]

I need to get a decent contact printer for 35mm and also one for 120 film.

Which are the best makes? - I know that they are only a simple device, but the one I have at the moment is a rubbish design which is awkward to use and doesnt hold the film flat against the paper - sometimes some frames have looked out of focus only for me to discover that infact they are not.

Thanks for any advice,

Matt

 

[glbeas]

Check Ebay, theres a few out there to be had. I got a Zone IV split back off Ebay that does a decent job. You can also go to Home Depot and get enough parts pretty quick to make your own.

 

[ggriffi]

Matt,

You can also try this. Printfile makes neg sleeves with a pocket for an 8x10 contact sheet as well. I haven't used them (35mm) in awhile but they do seem to get the job done. Just lay a piece of glass over the top and you are ready to go.

Printfile sleeves

g

 

[pentaxuser]

I need to get a decent contact printer for 35mm and also one for 120 film.

Which are the best makes? - I know that they are only a simple device, but the one I have at the moment is a rubbish design which is awkward to use and doesnt hold the film flat against the paper - sometimes some frames have looked out of focus only for me to discover that infact they are not.

Thanks for any advice,

Matt

Matt. You don't say what make your contact printer is but I have two Patersons for 35mm and 120 respectively. Both seem to work well. Mine were both secondhand. One obtained from the guy selling me my enlarger etc when I first set up and the other from e-bay.

The key to flatness is the state of the sponge on which the hinged glass presses when it closes on the contact sheet which sits in a slot to keep the sheet lined up with the negs( 6 strips of 6 negs). If the sponge is moth eaten and uneven then it can be scrapped off and replaced but finding the right sponge was difficult. In the end I had to settle for two thinner sponges fixed together. Not ideal but works OK

If I were to buy again on e-bay I'd ask the seller to confirm that the sponge is in good condition.

I used to contact print with just a sheet of glass on the negs when I did the C&G B&W photography course at Leamington but the contact printer is far better. You get to see the frame number and film type and there's a space for the words "Technical Data" and Date and a black line for writing which is printed on by allowing light through the clear lettering strip on the glass sheet.

Pentaxuser

 

[JHannon]

I just ordered a nice 10X12 wooden frame from Freestyle (Under $100). I plan on using it for contact printing and proofing negatives. Looks good and I will let you know how it works.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=&pid=1000001615

--John

 

[mike the limey]

Matt

I have both Paterson 35mm and 6x6cm. They both do the job well as was stated in an earlier thread. I bought both of mine off ebay on the cheap. If you get one with dodgy foam (it tends to go brittle with age) its not a problem as you can get a replacement sponge direct from Paterson for £3.99, plus about 75p postage. It takes about 30 minutes to remove the old sponge, clean the frame and refit the new. Buy and enjoy.

 

[Thomassauerwein]

I just bought a really thick (heavy) not a 1/2 inch but close piece of glass had it cut then the edges beveled. The bottom foam was from a packing case for fragile items. Black on top and grey on the bottom. Total cost was around 30 dollars.

 

[nworth]

Patterson used to make some very nice proof printers that held 35mm or 120 negatives and printed on 8X10. They were a simple thick plastic sheet with a foam and metal base - really a specialized printing frame, no light source. I haven't looked for anything like that recently, but they were still available about 18 months ago.

 

[pentaxuser]

Matt

I have both Paterson 35mm and 6x6cm. They both do the job well as was stated in an earlier thread. I bought both of mine off ebay on the cheap. If you get one with dodgy foam (it tends to go brittle with age) its not a problem as you can get a replacement sponge direct from Paterson for £3.99, plus about 75p postage. It takes about 30 minutes to remove the old sponge, clean the frame and refit the new. Buy and enjoy.

Great. Thanks for that. This is why this is a great site. Mine isn't the right sponge and I had despaired of getting the right stuff. Reasonable price too

Pentaxuser

 

[removed account4]

I just bought a really thick (heavy) not a 1/2 inch but close piece of glass had it cut then the edges beveled. The bottom foam was from a packing case for fragile items. Black on top and grey on the bottom. Total cost was around 30 dollars.

i actually did something like this too - but no foam ..
i went the glass shop and got some 1/4 + " plate glass, and had the edges sanded.

for 4x5, 5x7 + 8x10 contacts i just put the film/paper inbetween the glass, or on the enlarger easle with glass ontop. i also like using the same glass to contact onto 11x14 + paper - it gives a nice edge on the paper where the glass hits it.

- john

 

[Matt5791]

Thanks for the help everyone. So basically the Paterson ones are OK - I see quite a few of these around so I will keep a look out.

Matt