Looking for Film Cutting Service

[Pioneer]

Is there any service or company out there who will cut photographic sheet film down for a charge.

I have some expired 11x14 Ilford HP5+ sheet film I need to have cut down to 5x7 sheets.

Thank you for any leads you can provide.

 

[xkaes]

I've never heard of any place that offers that service, but I've known a few people who had similar situations. The only approach I'm familiar with is doing it yourself -- in the dark (one of the reason no one does it) -- with an 11x14 (or larger) paper cutter. They comes in two styles: one has a UP & DOWN, large, heavy handle with a cutter/slicer in it, and the other has a rotary blade that slides across. Either style will probably only cut one sheet at a time, and the film has to be firmly held in place during the cutting.

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks @xkaes. I have cut a couple of sheets on my old guillotine paper cutter, one sheet at a time. It does work but it is certainly slow.

I guess if it is all I have available I'll just keep doing it this way until the film gets too old to use. Kind of a shame. It is already expired quite a long time and there is a lot of film. I'll never be able to use it all cutting it this way.

 

[koraks]

some

How much is 'some'?
If it's 2 boxes of 50 sheets, just turn on some nice music and do it by hand. I prefer a rotary cutter instead of a guillotine because of the "hmm, that looks like not quite as many fingers as a few minutes ago" syndrome. I'd do it in batches to prevent too many brain cells from dying at a time.
If it's 20 boxes of 50 sheets, it's a different story.

 

[_T_]

If it’s in good shape and has been stored well there is a chance that someone on this site or maybe the large format photography forum might want to buy it.

You could use the proceeds from the sale to buy a bunch of fresh 5x7.

I understand if this route might not be of interest to you.

 

[Pioneer]

I have been thinking about it. It is more like 150 sheets but it can be done a few sheets at a time. A bite at a time. I'll do another sheet out of the open box this weekend.

I shoot a lot more 4x5 film. I'll cut it to 6 sheets of 4x5, and load one of my Grafmatic film holders. I'll know more once I have tried a few times. It may be slow but it is better than losing the film.

 

[MattKing]

150 sheets would make it worth your while to make a "jig" to assist with accurate placement and consistent results.
And to batch the cuts - all in one direction, followed by all in the next direction, followed by etc., etc.
And if you have ever considered IR goggles for darkroom work, this may be the opportunity .....

 

[koraks]

You could sell the 11x14 to someone who shoots that format. Then buy brand new Foma 200 4x5" with the proceeds. Sounds like win-win. The few who shoot 11x14 are probably always on the prowl for some film.

 

[mwdake]

I’ve cut down film using an inexpensive rotary cutter with success.
What I did was use some of that tape that is for a label punch device, can’t think of the proper name for it. What I did was to put a few layers of the tape a couple of inches long for the length and width measurements as a guide that was easily felt in the dark.

 

[MattKing]

What I did was use some of that tape that is for a label punch device, can’t think of the proper name for it.

DYMO label makers - not the current ones, but the older ones that embossed the characters on to the thick tape.

 

[Romanko]

And if you have ever considered IR goggles for darkroom work, this may be the opportunity .....

You might be able to borrow them for a couple of days from fellow photographers (or hunters).
I like @koraks idea of selling the film (including on this forum). It is a bit of a shame to cut 11x14 into 4x5 or even 5x7.

 

[Don_ih]

I prefer a rotary cutter instead of a guillotine because of the "hmm, that looks like not quite as many fingers as a few minutes ago" syndrome.

I use a guillotine cutter and it's always a little unnerving to swing the arm down, even though there is a steel bar to prevent your fingers from entering the cut line. The issue with repeatedly cutting the same thing over and over would be the instance where you forget what you're doing and chop off your finger. Much easier to do if you're cutting sheet after sheet.

I also would suggest selling the film. You've been shooting it, so you can show the base fog level and describe if it's still exposing properly. Cutting that film and stacking it up will probably result in scratches. Cutting tends to leave the edges a bit less smooth than factory-cut - one sheet can scratch the one underneath as it slides across it. Plus, all that messing around while cutting introduces dust and fingerprints and blood....

 

[guangong]

One would think that those who can manipulate film into cameras, hold cameras steady when necessary, etc, would have the dexterity not to lop off their fingers when using a cutter. I have used a guillotine cutter for many years, sometimes in the dark, and the idea of losing a finger or two never occurred to me.

 

[koraks]

One would think that those who can manipulate film into cameras, hold cameras steady when necessary, etc, would have the dexterity not to lop off their fingers when using a cutter.

I'm sure all of us have encountered the odd sheet not lodged perfectly inside the holder, a motion-blurred image etc. We think nothing of it, of course - live and learn, after all. It's a little different if we make a rare mistake that results in a remarkable gain in ability to visually count out fractions. Sure, I get the common sense argument that your post relies on - at the same time, common sense tells me that there's a risk to using a guillotine cutter in the dark in close proximity of one's fingers, and that this risk results in a rather different (likelihood * impact) product than a mistake fudging some film into a camera.

I'm glad you haven't lost any fingers using your guillotine cutter. On my end, I'm glad to be the proud owner of roller cutter, even though I readily admit that a guillotine cutter overall does a tidier job (on paper, film and bone alike).

 

[Don_ih]

One would think that those who can manipulate film into cameras, hold cameras steady when necessary, etc, would have the dexterity not to lop off their fingers when using a cutter. I have used a guillotine cutter for many years, sometimes in the dark, and the idea of losing a finger or two never occurred to me.

Chances are, I've used far more dangerous tools for far more things for much more time than pretty much anyone on this site. Being aware of the potential for harm is the main thing that keeps people from injuring themselves.

 

[bernard_L]

I have cut a couple of sheets on my old guillotine paper cutter, one sheet at a time. It does work but it is certainly slow.

I guess if it is all I have available I'll just keep doing it this way until the film gets too old to use. Kind of a shame. It is already expired quite a long time and there is a lot of film. I'll never be able to use it all cutting it this way.

Why not think of it that way: How much of your time does it take to cut a 11x14 sheet into four 5x7? How much of your time do you devote to focus, meter, develop, fix, wash, dry these four 5x7 sheets? Not even mentioning the printing for the chosen few.

I have sort strips of gaffer tape on the bed of my guillotine cutter at 4 and 5 inches from the cutting line (a little less in fact, because actual<nominal). I cut in the dark (when not ortho) slooowly.

 

[Pioneer]

Cut another sheet. Early this morning I tried cutting the sheet down to 4x5. The first two cuts were ok, the last one did not turn out so well. The biggest headache is NOT wacking my fingers, it is keeping that stupid film from sliding around while I am cutting.

Ah well, live and learn. I think I'll just stick to 5x7. Fewer cuts and bigger pieces.

 

[Pioneer]

I do think I will go shopping for a roller cutter and see if I can find something that costs less than $280$ US. My local Office Max is certainly no discount store.

I got time.

 

[BradS]

I cut off about a 1/4inch of the tip of the index finger on my left hand while using one of those guillotine paper cutters in the darkroom. Didn't even realize what had happened until I saw the blood on the paper.

 

[Pioneer]

I cut off about a 1/4 of the tip of the index finger on my left hand while using one of those guillotine paper cutters in the darkroom. Didn't even realize what had happened until I saw the blood on the paper.

That is why I have only tried cutting three sheets of film in the last 9 months. It did work out ok for me but there is certainly a bit of a risk. Besides, it is also a pain to keep it from moving around. I screwed up part of the last sheet I cut because it moved. If I do more I will invest in a rotary cutter. And let my wife do the cutting.

 

[MattKing]

I do think I will go shopping for a roller cutter and see if I can find something that costs less than $280$ US. My local Office Max is certainly no discount store.

I got time.

If you can find a Rotatrim cutter within your budget, you will find yourself looking for other cutting projects, just for the opportunity to use it ....

 

[Pioneer]

If you can find a Rotatrim cutter within your budget, you will find yourself looking for other cutting projects, just for the opportunity to use it ....

I'll certainly keep that in mind Matt. Thanks.

 

[koraks]

Didn't even realize what had happened until I saw the blood on the paper.

Add a little washing soda. See if it develops. "Bloodonol." (Let's hope it doesn't catch on!)

 

[guangong]

I'm sure all of us have encountered the odd sheet not lodged perfectly inside the holder, a motion-blurred image etc. We think nothing of it, of course - live and learn, after all. It's a little different if we make a rare mistake that results in a remarkable gain in ability to visually count out fractions. Sure, I get the common sense argument that your post relies on - at the same time, common sense tells me that there's a risk to using a guillotine cutter in the dark in close proximity of one's fingers, and that this risk results in a rather different (likelihood * impact) product than a mistake fudging some film into a camera.

I'm glad you haven't lost any fingers using your guillotine cutter. On my end, I'm glad to be the proud owner of roller cutter, even though I readily admit that a guillotine cutter overall does a tidier job (on paper, film and bone alike).

How close to the cutting edge do you place your hand and fingers? I would never keep my fingers close to the cutting edge. Roller cutters became common long after my guillotine cutter, and I assume they do a better and easier job, but I was too frugal to buy one.

 

[_T_]

It’s a big f-off knife attached to a board. People lose fingers to them every year and they’re not using them in complete darkness.

You have to understand and respect the inherent dangers of the tools you use or you’re asking for trouble.