Test-strip aesel

[PHSC editor]

At our recent PHSC auction a wooden object showed up that was a mystery. It is about 5x7 with a top piece containing a long slit. This piece can move over by pushing buttons to make it jump sideway a short distance. The only thing we can think of is a test-strip printer. It is made by Eastman Kodak and has its mark impressed into the wood.

 

[jvo]

it looks like a contact printing frame?

jvo

 

[StephenT]

I also think it is a contact printing frame.

 

[Bill Burk]

I'm sure it's a test strip printer. I've seen something similar in function which had numbers that also printed in the margin to let you know which strip was which.

To use it you would think up a series of exposures you want to test.

Put a piece of paper in and place it where the easel will go for the final print.

Expose for a test time, say 10 seconds. Push the button to advance to the next step.

Expose for another test time, say 20 seconds. Push the button to advance.

Expose maybe for 40 seconds this time. Push the button.

After you develop the little print, you'll see what step looked good and you can remember what time you used for that step.... and then use it for the final print.

(Of course nothing's ever final when it comes to printing... but that's how you would use this device).

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

 

[Nige]

Someone on here (Ralph?) has plans (a pdf?) for making one. I made a simplified version using mat board. Don't use it all the time (I'm more an 'educatedguestimate' printer) but comes in handy at times.

 

[pentaxuser]

Everyone seems to be able to understand how this works except me. Is the top piece separate from the bottom which seems to have the slit in it. What does this top piece do? Where are the buttons and how do they move the top piece?

Maybe the OP can give me more photos of it in action or show the buttons? It's frustrating when you cannot make head nor tail of it.

Thanks

pentaxuser