is 8x10 paper actually 8" x 10"?

[BetterSense]

I'm making a pinhole camera. I haven't bought my paper yet and I was wondering if 8x10 paper is exactyl 8x10 inches. Can I build my camera to 8x10 and have the paper fit? How much does it vary?

 

[johnnywalker]

I just measured one and it is 8 X 9 31/32. So I guess it's supposed to be 8X10, within close tolerances.

 

[removed account4]

yup, paper is pretty close, its film that is off ...

 

[BetterSense]

ok cool

 

[fschifano]

You'll probably need to trim off a bit to make the paper fit a film holder. Easy if you have a trimmer. A little harder if you need to use a knife and a straightedge.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Paper and glass plates should be exactly 8x10" or pretty close to it. When film came into common use, there were metal film sheaths that fit into plate holders, so the film had to be a little smaller than the nominal size, and most sheet films are 1/16" smaller on each side than their nominal size.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

The dimensions of fibre paper should be accurate before processing. Processing and air drying "could" cause a minute shift in dimension.

 

[MartinP]

I suppose the 'obvious', but slightly unhelpful, answer is to get yourself a box of the brand of paper you will be using then make the back of the camera to suit the paper. If you will use DDS then there might be some trimming to do though :-/

 

[BetterSense]

What's DDS?

I just now bought my paper, however I don't have a safelight so that I can see if it fits. Maybe I will rig up a red LED later and give it a shot.