Odd paper sizes for contact sheets

[PrexaDotCom]

I am reentering the darkroom after several years of absence and one of my first tasks will be to make proof / contact sheets from 35mm and medium format negatives. In the past I’ve done so with the negs still in the clear plastic sheets. I have two related questions.

1. Some of my negatives are 7 strips of 5 frames in 35mm and others are 4 strips of 3 frames from a 6x6 camera. These will fit on 8x10 paper, but there isn’t much room left to punch holes to put it in a 3 ring binder. Looking at the Freestyle catalog I see one paper in listed in 8.5x11: Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Glossy. Are there any other options in this size? I used to use the Multigrade III RC for contact sheets, mostly because it was what I had around, so I assume Multigrade IV will work fine for this.

2. Some of my 35mm negs are sleeved in 6 strips of 6 frames… a very common size of negative sheet. Looking at a few proof sheets made commercially from such negatives I see they are on a pearl surfaced RC paper sized 10 x 10 inches. These negatives do not really fit well on 8x10 nor on 8.5 x 11. The back of the 10x10 paper is marked Kodak, so I know I can’t get that exact paper. I don’t even see any rolls of 10-inch wide paper listed. Any recommendations? I know many people must have 35mm negatives in strips of 6 frames. How are you fitting them all on one contact sheet? Even carefully positioned on 8.5x11 the top and bottom strips would get frame numbers or edge info cut off.

Thanking you for your kind help,
John

 

[Stan160]

Ilford sell 25.4x25.4cm (10x10") paper, according to their Dec 2007 Product Availability List MGIV RC paper is available in this size. Finding a retailer who sells it might be a challenge.

 

[Ole]

Look for 24x30cm paper - 9.5x12".

Perfect for full-page contact prints.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I've been using the Ilford Multigrade 8 1/2 x 11 just for contacts for a few years. The frames fit a bit better and I can three hole punch it without losing anything in the image.

I think it's a great solution for contacts from roll film.

-Rob

 

[jeroldharter]

I usually by 11x14 RC paper for contact sheets. I cut pieces of mat board to place over the empty spaces so that the final print area is white. That gives me room for writing notes.

I usually buy whatever is the cheapest RC paper at Freestyle for contact sheets so that the 11x14 size is about the same cost as regular 8x10 paper.

 

[Konical]

Good Morning, John,

Check E-Bay. I located a supply of 8 1/2 x 11 Kodabrome RC, a paper I've used since the '70's for contact sheets. It's just enough bigger than 8 x 10 to make contacting easy. With a little cheating, I can just about squeeze on the tenth frame of a 6 x 7 roll of 120.

Konical

 

[hywel]

9 1/2 x 12 inches. It is the answer.

Realize it is not common in the US (I don't know where you are), but if only for it's obvious usefulness for contact sheets I have no idea why.

Perfect for printing 6 strips of 6 35mm, or even 7 strips if you happen to shoot that 37th shot, or have had them cut into 5's, or just count wrong half way through cutting the film. Perfect for 120, both my 6x6 and 6x7.

Oh, and yes, Ilford MGIV RC Glossy is just perfect for contacts.

Hywel

 

[Trey]

Here's what I've been using for awhile now. It fits both of the different sizes you mentioned perfectly.