Simon... Posted February 13, 2009 Share #1 Posted February 13, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello everybody I've been developing my analog films for a while know and then scanning them. I've been thinking about learning how to enlarge my negativs old fashion style Could anyone tell me how the best way to do that? I would also appreciate it a lot, if someone could tell me in basics what is done when you enlarges a negative and how. Thanks a lot, Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Hi Simon..., Take a look here How do you enlarge negatives?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
buckhorn_cortez Posted February 13, 2009 Share #2 Posted February 13, 2009 You can find a lab or custom printer and work with them to get prints...or...you can do it yourself. If you want to enlarge your own negatives, then you need a darkroom. Which can be any room that you can make dark and setup the enlarger plus 4 trays. You will need the enlarger, an enlarging lens, a film carrier, a timer, a paper easel, a safe light, and 4 trays. You'll need paper developer, stop bath, and fixer. You put the film into the carrier and put that in the film stage of the enlarger. Turn on the safe light and turn off the white lights. Turn on the timer so the enlarger light is "on" and raise / lower the enlarger head until the image covers the paper including about 1/8-inch of the easel blades. Focus the image onto the easel. Turn off the timer from the "on" (or focus) setting. Stop down the enlarging lens to f/8. Put a piece of paper into the easel. Set the timer for 5 seconds. Cover the paper with a piece of opaque material (like cardboard) leaving about 1-inch of it exposed. Push the timer button and let the paper expose for 5 seconds. Continue to uncover 1-inch strips until you have done that about 8 times (40 seconds). Develop the paper for 2 minutes, put it in stop bath for 30 seconds, and fix it for 2 minutes before you turn on the white lights. Let the paper stay in the fixer for 3-5 minutes and then tranfer the print to the 4th tray filled with water. If you're using resin coated paper (RC) you can wash the print in water for 10 minutes and blot it dry with a towel, then air dry it with a hair drier on "low" - and you'll have a print in about 15 minutes. Look at the strips and determine the best exposure - which may be between two of the strips like 27 seconds instead of 25 or 30. Set the exposure you think is correct on the timer. Make a print of the whole image, and process. Evaluate the print when it is dry to see if you need to change paper contrast grades - if you're using 35mm film - you could probably start with a grade 3 paper. Do you have detail in the shadows? What about the highlights? A lower paper grade will be less contrast a higher paper grade more contrast. Make a choice of paper grade and make another print. If you're using a multi-grade paper with filters, you'll have to make an exposure adjustement, but the instructions should tell you how much to make or you can get calculators (wheels) that will show the exposure change between paper grades. If you're using graded paper, and the shadow speeds are the same you'll have the same exposure. If the shadow speeds are different, then divide the shadow speed of the paper you've used by the shadow speed of the new paper and that will be your exposure factor difference - multiply the exposure time by the factor and you'll have the new exposure time. After you've made about 1,000 or so prints...this will all be really easy and you'll be able to judge exposure, paper grades etc. by just looking at your test print... Now..if you're doing color....stick to scanning and printing with an inkjet as you need a lot more equipment if you don't want to make it extremely painful for yourself. I've tray developed color paper....and that's why I own a roller transport color paper processor .... Get a B&W book on printing - Ansel Adam's book is good; as is "Photography" by Phil Davis....either book will walk you through the entire process step-by-step. I've given you a basic overview so you can see if you're interested in pursuing the process further. Have fun.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted February 13, 2009 Share #3 Posted February 13, 2009 Get the book "The Print" by Ansel Adams. Most libraries have them. Everything you would ever need to know is in there. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon... Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted February 13, 2009 Thanks a lot everybody! "buckhorn_cortez" especially you it was a great help I hope soon get a chance to enlarge my on films, but anyway thanks a LOT! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted February 14, 2009 Share #5 Posted February 14, 2009 Hello everybody I've been developing my analog films for a while know and then scanning them. I've been thinking about learning how to enlarge my negativs old fashion style Could anyone tell me how the best way to do that? I would also appreciate it a lot, if someone could tell me in basics what is done when you enlarges a negative and how. Thanks a lot, Simon Buy an enlarger, you wont be disappointed and because so many misguided souls are moving over to digital technologies D&P is very inexpensive. I just bought a Durst M670 with colour head transformer and timer with a Rodenstock 2.8 Rodagon for £150.00. And that was from Durst UK Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted February 14, 2009 Share #6 Posted February 14, 2009 Buy an enlarger, you wont be disappointed and because so many misguided souls are moving over to digital technologies D&P is very inexpensive. I just bought a Durst M670 with colour head transformer and timer with a Rodenstock 2.8 Rodagon for £150.00. And that was from Durst UK Do not buy an enlarger. Call photographers, schools and labs and see if they'll give you their darkroom gear for free. Many places are dumping their darkrooms. I just gave away my very professional darkroom gear today, but I don't consider myself misguided. I had over 30 years of darkroom experience and don't need any more. My inkjet printers are so much better and easier. The person who picked it up saw my offer of free gear that I posted here. He plans to start with b/w and maybe move to color. My equipment included a color head and color analyzer, plus a temperature controlled water bath system. My short explanation of how to make color test prints and program the analyzer left him a bit perplexed. It takes a while to learn that stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 14, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Do not buy an enlarger. Call photographers, schools and labs and see if they'll give you their darkroom gear for free. Many places are dumping their darkrooms. I really don't think that's the case - most colleges/university's at least here in the UK maintain their darkrooms etc., and darkroom stuff on e bay seems to sell for relatively good prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted February 15, 2009 Share #8 Posted February 15, 2009 Do not buy an enlarger. Call photographers, schools and labs and see if they'll give you their darkroom gear for free. Many places are dumping their darkrooms. I just gave away my very professional darkroom gear today, but I don't consider myself misguided. I had over 30 years of darkroom experience and don't need any more. My inkjet printers are so much better and easier. The person who picked it up saw my offer of free gear that I posted here. He plans to start with b/w and maybe move to color. My equipment included a color head and color analyzer, plus a temperature controlled water bath system. My short explanation of how to make color test prints and program the analyzer left him a bit perplexed. It takes a while to learn that stuff. I think you will find that has all changed as those institutions fool hardy enough to dispose of thier darkroom equipment are finding that they are having to reinstate them in order to fully teach the subject on thier curriculum. You might also like to visit the following http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/index.php Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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