chriwurz
[COLOR=blue][COLOR=blue]I’ve ruined my glassless Axomat negative stage (metal) by trying to file it down to full-frame size, as I’d like my 35mm prints to have a black border.
It was a lot of work, but the result was very unsatisfactory, as the flatness of the negative deteriorated to such an extent that it is no longer possible to focus across the entire image area (I probably removed too much).
Can anyone give me tips on filing down the plastic negative stage? What’s the best tool to use? How do you adjust the wheels so the negatives don’t get scratched?
And above all: has anyone managed to enlarge the mask without compromising the flatness of the 35mm negative?
I’ve already found one or two posts on the topic of ‘full-frame/filing down the negative stage’ in this forum, but those were about 6x6 negatives and the OPEMUS.
To anyone who has anything to say on the matter: Many thanks in advance for your help!
Christian
MirkoBoeddecker
Christian,
The reason the metal platforms break is because they have such thin metal wheels and because there’s that slider at the bottom.
But we also make a point of stating in the catalogue that you should only file down the plastic platform :)
It’s much simpler to use. Two plastic parts that fold together, with nothing to bend out of shape.
Plus, the plastic is black and the edges don’t reflect light. Filing it down is a piece of cake – you can even use a nail file if you have to (though it takes a while...).
With metal, as well as the flatness issue, you also have the reflections (paint it matt black again) and possibly rough edges that can scratch the film (sand them down finely).
Regards
Mirko
MKL
Why go to the trouble of filing the frame, though?
You can do this with the Zäfl Versamask, or with any V-frame. Simply cut a piece of cardboard, metal or wood to the dimensions of the picture minus the border width (e.g. picture area 24x30, desired border 5mm: cardboard 23x29), place it on the paper and pre-expose the border.
Best regards,
Michael
Gast
Yes, but that won’t allow you to enlarge the negative right up to the first margin (i.e. to 100%).
Best regards,
Ferdinand
MirkoBoeddecker
...and there is certainly a slight price difference between the Versamask and the plastic stage for the Axomat....
chriwurz
Mirko, Michael, Ferdinand,
Thank you very much for your contributions!
Regarding your mention of your catalogue, Mirko: I’ve only been aware of it – and indeed your company – since yesterday (the more I browse through the catalogue and the forum, the more I feel I’ve been missing out on quite a lot up to now). The mishap with the metal platform had already happened by then.
Best regards,
Christian
