Re: OT: Slightly, Large Copy Camera to Enlarger Conversion?

I actually did this with a friend's copy camera (at his studio, I don't
have that kind of space!). We limited it to 11x14 inch film, in order
to get a working and even light source. The camera itself was set up
for 16x20. We have made quite a few 5 and 6 foot enlargements. Fun!

See if the camera came with a light bed for shooting transparent
material. Ours was bright enough that we just added some diffusion
material (milk plex) and mounted it behind the film plane.

Making film holders is an issue. We ended up using strips of flexible
"plastic magnets" to hold the (now vertical) negatives. These are sold
to hobby folks wanting to make "refrigerator trinkets".

Make sure the "bed/tracks" of the copy camera will clear the projection
path of whatever lens you choose. If you have the studio space, a
longer lens helps here.

Look at process lenses as an affordable extra long enlarger lens. The
"normal" enlarger lens for any format is about equal to the diagonal
measurement of the film.

Processing trays are an issue. We made 2x4 "frames" and line them with
thick painters plastic. Much easier to store than 6 foot trays.
Remember that the trays only need to fit one dimention, the prints can
be "rolled" in the chemicals. That makes RC paper a real plus (doesn't
crink as easily)

I must say that with my and my friend's available lenses and
cameras.... there isn't a real advantage in going over 8x10 film for
enlarged silver gelatin printing. That may be due to the fact that we
have newer lenses that will cover 8x10 and older lenses that will cover
11x14?? Whatever the reason, if we are shooting for this system we stay
with 8x10.

Hope that helps.

On Friday, February 13, 2004, at 03:06 PM, Sean wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Sorry for the off post, but the alt-process skill set seems more
> appropriate. We have acquired a very large copy camera with a 20x24
> film
> plate and a 16' foot bed. We are interested in the possibility of
> adapting
> it for a huge enlarger. Being able to make enlargements of a 20x24
> negative
> could have a tremendous benefit for us.
>
> 1. Are we insane?
>
> 2. Light source? Cold Light maybe? We were thinking of contacting
> Aristo to
> have a custom source made.
>
> 3. We have access to a machine shop, so the anticipated fabrication
> should
> not scare us off?
>
> 4. Lens coverage for a 20x24 negative?
>
> 5. Are we really insane, and is a copy camera not simply an enlarger in
> reverse?
>
> Any guidance off-list or on would be really appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Sean
>
>

--------------
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com
Received on Fri Feb 13 18:36:13 2004