ChristinaJ
Is there actually such a thing as square photographic paper?
I mean, for example, to avoid wasting paper when printing medium-format enlargements?
Many thanks and best regards,
Christina
MirkoBoeddecker
Christina,
We can supply the Maco Multispeed in custom sizes as long as Maco still has stock, or until Tura can start cutting again and Agfa can resume production.
The downside: the price per square metre is higher than for standard formats – ultimately, you could just buy a larger sheet of paper and cut off a test strip.
You’ll need one anyway – especially for larger prints.
Best regards,
Mirko
FrankJBeckmann
Hi,
Wephota sometimes stocks special sizes too. It might be worth giving them a ring.
Bye
Frank
MirkoBoeddecker
That’s right, I’d forgotten – we can of course supply these too, but we generally point out in advance that you need to be very tolerant when it comes to Wephota’s dimensional accuracy and packaging.
In other words: it’s definitely the cheapest option for custom shapes, but it’s not for fussy people, and it’s made to order with no returns.
Best regards,
Mirko
FrankJBeckmann
Hi,
Wephota’s packaging is a bit unusual, but they make the paper themselves, so they can supply almost any size you need. They’re also very friendly on the phone. And so far, they’ve replaced every faulty item I’ve received. That said, custom sizes probably aren’t exactly cheap at Wephota either.
Bye
Frank
Gast
Of course, you can also buy paper in rolls and use a simple pinking shears (available on eBay for next to nothing) to cut out any size you like, including as many test strips as you want, in whatever size you like.
With two rolls (20 and 30 cm), you can make the following sizes (square, 4:5, 2:3, 1:2.4):
14x20, 16x20, 20x20, 20x25, 20x30, 24x30, 30x30, 30x40, 20x48, 30x45, 30x72
and all without any waste...
Martin
mau
I cut it out of sheet material using a roll-fed cutter. Waste isn’t an issue, as you need test strips anyway. Of course, roll-fed material offers the greatest flexibility.
FrankJBeckmann
Hi,
Do you really need that many test strips? *gasp*
Bye
Frank
Gast
Hi Christina, as you probably aren’t interested in roll paper, guillotine cutters and all that sort of thing, there is actually a very simple solution for the paper size you want: ILFORD has been producing its MGIV RC paper in the 10x10 inch (25.4x25.4 cm) format for many years now – perhaps that’s a solution (though, as far as I know, it’s not available here at FOTOIMPEX).
Best wishes ;)
Quadratix
mau
Frank seems to know my darkroom quite well if he knows how many test strips I’ve got. :-)
Actually, you don’t need any test strips at all. Just look at the negative, estimate the density, choose the filter and time, then pop the whole thing into the enlarger.............................................
FrankJBeckmann
Hi,
If you crop every print, you end up with a lot of waste. That’s why I was surprised to hear that they’re all supposed to be used as test strips.
I agree with you that (apart from testing a new paper or developer) you don’t need test strips. If you can work out the necessary settings just by looking at the negative, you’re really good. I prefer to rely on a light meter for that.
Bye
Frank
