• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Modern way of creating microphotographs/microform?

OP
OP

jsmoove

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
409
Location
Ottawa
Format
35mm
The enlarger route sounds like a nice poison. Digital enlargers themselves are crazy $$, but maybe I can do the phone thing in the negative holder as a first try.
Is there a way to tell if an enlarger lens is designed to pass UV? I don't have an enlarger yet...and it's been a while since I've used one.
If I am aiming to have the image projected exactly 35mm, what type of lens would I be after?
Those 8mm movie lenses?
Also, when it comes to flipping the lensboard, does that offer optical reduction if the lens is flipped?
 

4season

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
2,108
Format
Plastic Cameras
Is that how the cyanotype microform was created in my link above?
No, I don't think so. Are you familiar with Microfiche? The originals are already reduced in size, and the cyanotypes were made via ordinary contact printing methods such as you might do at home using the sun as a UV light source.

As for how such things were miniaturized in first place, I found these tidbits:
http://www.microfilm.com/equipment-item/hk-35/

If you want to create enlarged cyanotypes, the trick is to create a negative of the desired size, then contact-print in the usual manner as per yet another video:

I suspect that UV-light enlargers would not be simple or cheap, hence the popularity of contact printing.
 
OP
OP

jsmoove

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
409
Location
Ottawa
Format
35mm
I realized it was a contact print after posting...my mistake!
Yes, microfiche/microform is basically what im after, but using a digital image directly inputted, and not making printed transparency sheets if I'm using an enlarger.
The only way I can think of is putting a phone/ipad or something in the negative holder.
I have seen those planetary cameras before, not sure how easy it is to get one for a good price.
I am curious to know if anyone out there has tried creating microforms using an enlarger, and what their setup is.

I don't know what lens I would need to get an image 24x36mm/same output as a 4k+ film recorder (but analog)
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

jsmoove

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
409
Location
Ottawa
Format
35mm
I think I need a 35mm lens for an enlarger, is this correct if I want a 35mm area?
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/printing-4x5-smaller-than-film-size.143248/page-2
Since it's a direct digital UV light source I want (no transparencies), I guess a phone or ipad wouldn't work.

@Bronson Dugnutt If photographing a LCD screen/monitor with a regular 35mm camera, would cyanotype-in-camera work at all, or would the exposure times be extremely long?
I hear you need quartz lenses for the UV to get through, do I have that right?
What lens would offer both UV transmission/fast exposure and ability to shoot a screen at proper angle/ratio?
But also, a monitor isn't going to emit UV...so im not sure if there is a solution here either?
 
Last edited:

R Paul

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
137
Location
wonderful ne
Format
Medium Format
You may want to look this up:
https://www.quekett.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Groom-Micrography.pdf
i picked up an old b&l microscope and an objective for cheap on the big bay , made an optical bench from 2 pieces of 1/2 pipe and tried to photo a couple of 6x7 slides down to 1mm square.
Unfortunately my skill with emulsions has failed me, and couldn't get anything viewable
Rob
 
OP
OP

jsmoove

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
Messages
409
Location
Ottawa
Format
35mm
Thanks for the link!
One thing I'm thinking about since I'm after a live feed digital UV image is using a transparent screen (somehow) like a transparent oled or lcd, and shining UV through it. But the resolution would likely be crap. For an enlarger.
 
Last edited: