So what do I need to print sheet film?

It seems my "hunter-gatherer" instincts are running amok these days and I keep getting a hold of large format equipment, now I'm about to have a second 9X12 camera, this time with a functioning film holder and maybe even some extra film (already got a pack of 200 ISO Europan). So if the equipment is in order I just might be able to shoot some large format in not too long a time.

Only question remains, what do I do to get a real print out of it?

It seems like there's no good lab in all of Scandinavia for high quality prints, and I'm not sure if I can settle for just the contact prints if I get any good images out of it.

So I'll go ahead and ask that silly question that's probably been asked so many times before - what do I need for print here? Are there special enlargers for large format?

I've seen in movies and documentaries about Ansel Adams that enlargers back in the day were often mounted horizontally and not vertically like roll film enlargers - are there possibilities of using the same enlarger if I get the right enlarger lens or what?

Sorry if I'm too rash to do my homework before I ask this question, I just thought I'd put this out there first and see what happens.

Yes, there are enlargers for larger films.

You could also contact print.

Top-Cat said:

I've seen in movies and documentaries about Ansel Adams that enlargers back in the day were often mounted horizontally and not vertically like roll film enlargers - are there possibilities of using the same enlarger if I get the right enlarger lens or what?

Sorry if I'm too rash to do my homework before I ask this question, I just thought I'd put this out there first and see what happens.

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Ansel Adams did his homework and would never use iStock.....that's about all I have to contribute to this thread...:munch:

Top-Cat said:

I'm not sure if I can settle for just the contact prints...

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You should find yourself quite happy with contact prints from 9x12.

If you are like me you will be able to immediately see a depth of detail, above and beyond what can be done with any enlargement.

PKM-25 said:

Ansel Adams did his homework and would never use iStock.....that's about all I have to contribute to this thread...:munch:

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I know I'm green (as in new) on this area, but no use being surly and mean about it - and for your information, I might not have made much money on iStock, but I've gained some valuable experience, not to mention learned that I'm a decent enough composer as well as photographer to be able to sell my stuff.

[video=youtube;hpiIWMWWVco]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco[/video]

hi TC

you could have a back made for your camera that is a light source
and then turn your camera into an enlarger ( like a graflarger back did to a speed / crown graphic ).

people have said the same thing to me about imagekind
but i have sold a bunch and enjoyed myself, and don't have
and elitist attitude ( and i used to part own a brick and mortar art gallery )
if istock is what you are involved with enjoy it, the naysayers say nay about a lot of things,
some thought the world was flat ( and still is ) as well ...

bill is a yay sayer, contact prints from your negatives will be very nice.
look for some long expired azo and a light bulb will be your friend.
have fun!
john

jnanian said:

you could have a back made for your camera that is a light source
and then turn your camera into an enlarger ( like a graflarger back did to a speed / crown graphic ).

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Great idea, I might be able to experiment with that - I was about to look for 135mm prime lenses for this - but it seemed a bit of a big project for me at the moment.

4x5"/9x12cm enlargers and lenses are plentiful and most work just like enlargers for smaller formats, and can in fact be used for smaller formats. If you stick to a popular brand like Omega, Beseler, or Durst, you'll find lots of parts and accessories available for them.

Adams had horizontal enlargers for printing big from 8x10" negs. Don't worry about that. You don't need a horizontal enlarger for 9x12cm unless you are making murals.

But. Using the 810 build as an example, a 45 would be a lot smaller. I suspect much less $$ since you're in Scandinavia and I keep reading there's not an abundance of LF darkroom up there.
A simple sliding track system for gross adjustments and something like a Speed Graphic focusing bed for fine.
Bellows are available online for not a lot of $$ and can be made to order for more $$$$.

30 watt light bulb for regular paper or a 300 watt for azo...attach it to a pulley system so you can regulate the light..nothing fancy or complicated here...
Best, Peter

Where in Scandinavia are you?
I have a spare 9x12 enlarger that just needs a good home.

I live in Ski (south of Oslo), but my girlfriend is in Uppsala, so I travel twice a month from Oslo to Stockholm and then up to Uppsala. Never been in Lund before, but with a bit of planning I might be available to pick it up some day (I hear Lund is fairly similar to Uppsala seeing as they're both great university cities).

Dear Top-Cat,

If you really want to enlarge using traditional darkroom methods, a 4x5 enlarger can be obtained at a reasonable price. However, contact prints can be made quite easily and they can be scanned with a flatbed scanner until you are sure you want to take the plunge. If, of course, it is simply sheet film you are new to, find a large format enlarger without delay! Optically printing sheet film is immediately satisfying, particularlly if you only have experience with 35mm.

Neal Wydra

4X5 enlargers fit very easily on the benchtop and will produce prints up to 16X20 without trouble. The LPL 5X7 enlarger also works nicely on the average bench. One thing to look out for is the negative carriers. 9X12 carriers can be a bit hard to find, although they are available for all of the popular enlargers. You can use a 4X5 glass carrier if you need to.

Top-Cat,

I forgot about metric, you will enjoy being able to enlarge...

Jesper said:

Where in Scandinavia are you?
I have a spare 9x12 enlarger that just needs a good home.

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There you go, sounds like a road trip is in order. And if this enlarger doesn't work out, by all means contact print your negatives. My girl friend. And I just purchased two Darren Samuelson contact prints (http://darrensamuelson.com/) one is 4x5 and the other 14x36, yes that's inches. Both prints are wonderful so don't hesitate to contact print those 9x12 negs, and if you do get an enlarger, you may still want to contact print some of your 9x12's.

Roger