Re: How do I get larger negatives ?

Virginia Boehm (gini@ix.netcom.com)
Fri, 12 May 1995 04:49:28 -0700

>
>I am just about to enter the world of alternative
>processes.... So, as most of
>the processes I want to try are contact-copying, I
>need to use some larger negatives.
>
>So far, I have not gotten any clear answers as to
>what materials (films) I can use , or how to process
>them (developer, fixer and times).
>
You can make larger negatives using your enlarger. If you start with a
negative, you can make a large negative with direct duplicating film
that comes in all sizes. One good (relatively inexpensive and
reliable source) is Freestyle, a mail order house in Los Angeles. This
is orthochrmoatic film so it can be handled with a red safelight, or
even a dim amber one at a good distance away. Regular print developer
can be used - exposures take some guessing, but quite a bit longer than
for a print - and fixer should be used at film, rather than print,
strengh. The development process does exhaust chemicals quickly,
however.

If you want to make negatives from slides, use a graphic arts film.
Normally terribly contrasty, the constrast can be managed if you use
print developer rather than the high contrast developers used in
graphics work.

There's a lot of trial and error involved. Happy experimenting.
Gini

>
>Best wishes
>
>Birger Aune
>Oslo
>Norway
>
>birger.aune@nycomed.telemax.no
>