EoinC Posted January 7, 2018 Share #1 Posted January 7, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm going to be contact printing 4x5's in a bathroom, just with a desk-lamp and a set of contrast filters (I don't want to get a LF enlarger where I am located at the moment). Anyone have any tales to regale on similar set-ups? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 7, 2018 Posted January 7, 2018 Hi EoinC, Take a look here Contact printing 5x4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
EoinC Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted January 7, 2018 Apologies - Topic should read 4x5 in keeping with photographic convention... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ko.Fe. Posted January 7, 2018 Share #3 Posted January 7, 2018 No filters are needed. Contacts are contrast enough. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted January 7, 2018 Share #4 Posted January 7, 2018 How I started. Flat/thick piece of plate glass, timer, and some Grade 3 paper. Easy/peasy. Gary 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmx Posted January 7, 2018 Share #5 Posted January 7, 2018 There is a guy on eBay from UK who sells refurbished "Paterson universal contact proof printer". It covers all format up to 8x10''. Highly recommended. Auction no 332476275736 Jakob 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locutus Posted January 7, 2018 Share #6 Posted January 7, 2018 I contact print 5x4's regularly. The Paterson proof printer works well, much nicer then using a sheet of glass and pegs! It provides even pressure and clamps down solidly enough to keep FB paper flat. A LED lightbulb hanging from the ceiling works without filtration and you will end up at about grade 4, if you already have a enlarger for another format i'd recommend using that as a light source instead as it also makes it easier to filter your light. A desk lamp straight above the negative would probably result in far to short exposure times and might not give as even light on the negative as you'd want. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmx Posted January 7, 2018 Share #7 Posted January 7, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I contact print 5x4's regularly. The Paterson proof printer works well, much nicer then using a sheet of glass and pegs! It provides even pressure and clamps down solidly enough to keep FB paper flat. A LED lightbulb hanging from the ceiling works without filtration and you will end up at about grade 4, if you already have a enlarger for another format i'd recommend using that as a light source instead as it also makes it easier to filter your light. A desk lamp straight above the negative would probably result in far to short exposure times and might not give as even light on the negative as you'd want. What exactly kind of LED lightbulb would you recommend? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted January 7, 2018 I contact print 5x4's regularly. The Paterson proof printer works well, much nicer then using a sheet of glass and pegs! It provides even pressure and clamps down solidly enough to keep FB paper flat. A LED lightbulb hanging from the ceiling works without filtration and you will end up at about grade 4, if you already have a enlarger for another format i'd recommend using that as a light source instead as it also makes it easier to filter your light. A desk lamp straight above the negative would probably result in far to short exposure times and might not give as even light on the negative as you'd want. Thanks. I was planning on using some translucent acrylic sheets below the lamp to make it a bit more even, inside a box channel to keep it directional. LED's may be better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 7, 2018 Share #9 Posted January 7, 2018 What exactly kind of LED lightbulb would you recommend? You can buy some variable colour temperature small led panels which might work well - like the NanGuang Luxpad 22. I use these as small copy lights but have wondered if they might fit into a 5x4 enlarger? They might also work (may need a diffuser) as a contact printer light source. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted January 7, 2018 You can buy some variable colour temperature small led panels which might work well - like the NanGuang Luxpad 22. I use these as small copy lights but have wondered if they might fit into a 5x4 enlarger? They might also work (may need a diffuser) as a contact printer light source. That's exactly what is done here, with control over contrast and timing provided by an Arduino board... https://apenasimagens.com/en/enlarger-head-using-leds/ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 7, 2018 Share #11 Posted January 7, 2018 Ideas in this old discussion.... https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/contact-printing-without-an-enlarger.20231/ Can't get more luscious prints than Edward Weston contacts with bare bulb. Jeff 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 7, 2018 Share #12 Posted January 7, 2018 Ideas in this old discussion.... https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/contact-printing-without-an-enlarger.20231/ Can't get more luscious prints than Edward Weston contacts with bare bulb. So true and simple. I added an inexpensive (under $3) reflector that sat on the base of the bulb to keep its light from my eyes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 9, 2018 Share #13 Posted January 9, 2018 Ideas in this old discussion.... https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/contact-printing-without-an-enlarger.20231/ Can't get more luscious prints than Edward Weston contacts with bare bulb. Jeff I think you will find Weston was printing 8x10 or larger negatives, and using all the usual darkroom techniques of dodging and burning to create the 'lusciousness'. And although they can be very attractive a diminutive 4x5 is strictly a contact print for reference purposes, and in which case they may as well be scanned. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 9, 2018 Share #14 Posted January 9, 2018 I think you will find Weston was printing 8x10 or larger negatives, and using all the usual darkroom techniques of dodging and burning to create the 'lusciousness'. And although they can be very attractive a diminutive 4x5 is strictly a contact print for reference purposes, and in which case they may as well be scanned. I'm aware; I've owned some of Weston's vintage work and have studied and collected vintage b/w prints since the 70's, including private meetings to see museum and other archives not shown by exhibition. I've also seen his darkroom and spoken with experts. Of course Weston's Daybooks and other research make clear many of his practices. Yes, contacts were primarily 8x10, but not exclusively; the point was to address the illumination issue, not all the other history. BTW, I've seen contact prints that are smaller than 2 inches, some early European work, that is fabulous. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 10, 2018 Share #15 Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) I'm aware; I've owned some of Weston's vintage work and have studied and collected vintage b/w prints since the 70's, including private meetings to see museum and other archives not shown by exhibition. I've also seen his darkroom and spoken with experts. Of course Weston's Daybooks and other research make clear many of his practices. Yes, contacts were primarily 8x10, but not exclusively; the point was to address the illumination issue, not all the other history. BTW, I've seen contact prints that are smaller than 2 inches, some early European work, that is fabulous. Jeff In defence of Weston I was simply pointing out that the 'lucious prints' made by Weston are not simply the result of a bare bulb but actual hand work with tools. Because of the size of a 4x5 it is impractical to use dodging and burning tools. There is a vast difference between a contact print that looks nice (even if smaller than two inches) and a worked on print from an 8x10 negative. To suggest otherwise by comparing the two is to demote Weston's efforts to those of a lab technician who just sticks the printing frame under a bulb and bingo! a fine print is born. Edited January 10, 2018 by 250swb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 10, 2018 Share #16 Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) Anyone who concluded from my comment that bare bulbs result in luscious prints have a lot more to learn than burning, dodging, etc,.... maybe some lessons on shooting, on lighting, on presesentation, etc . And even then, the most important parts might still be missing: a great eye and superb judgment. The critical tools are between the ears. As it always was. If gear caused great photos or great prints, our work would look alike. Thankfully not. Jeff Edited January 10, 2018 by Jeff S 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locutus Posted January 10, 2018 Share #17 Posted January 10, 2018 What exactly kind of LED lightbulb would you recommend? I just use a bare 2700k LED household lightbulb, i forgot its power rating but it was the lowest one i could buy in my local store. No box or diffuser around it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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