Before I embarrass myself writing off to a manufacturer to ask if they will reconsider making 2x3" negative film, I thought I'd ask if there is any interest on this forum.

There are considerable advantages and disadvantages to using single sheet cut 6x9cm format film:

Advantages:

1. Sheet film has a much thicker base than 120 roll film. It doesn't coil, curl or spring around the darkroom with shifts in humidity or on drying.

2. A completely flat 6x9cm negative is easier to scan digitally as well as print than a 120 roll film cut frame. It is also less prone to development problems, being a plane parallel surface (hope I'm right on this one).

3. Each sheet film can be exposed and developed independently from another. For instance, many photographers are in the habit of shooting identical frames and exposures on two separate sheets. The first sheet can be developed normally and then inspected. Any shift in development (either pull or pushing, or even switching developer) can then be applied with the first proof as a reference point. This invariably improves the quality of negative development by fine tuning. 120 roll film format does not afford this degree of control.

4. A 6x9cm Graflok back holds 6 frames. A roll of 120 roll film only shoots 8 frames, on the condition that the roll film back doesn't cause overlapping, misloaded starting points etc. Some films such as Adox 25 also are very light sensitive, and fog even in subdued daylight, necessitating changing bag loading. A Graflokk takes up about 75% size of a 120 roll film back. Perhaps roll-film isn't as convenient for this particular format?

The disadvantages:

well, perhaps I'll leave those for now.

One of the main ones is the extreme limitation in available emulsions (no infrared or orthochromatic emulsions...)

Kind regards.

Quote:

On 2006-05-28 07:57, R_J wrote: Before I embarrass myself writing off to a manufacturer to ask if they will reconsider making 2x3" negative film, I thought I'd ask if there is any interest on this forum. There are considerable advantages and disadvantages to using single sheet cut 6x9cm format film: Advantages: 1. Sheet film has a much thicker base than 120 roll film. It doesn't coil, curl or spring around the darkroom with shifts in humidity or on drying. 2. A completely flat 6x9cm negative is easier to scan digitally as well as print than a 120 roll film cut frame. It is also less prone to development problems, being a plane parallel surface (hope I'm right on this one). 3. Each sheet film can be exposed and developed independently from another. For instance, many photographers are in the habit of shooting identical frames and exposures on two separate sheets. The first sheet can be developed normally and then inspected. Any shift in development (either pull or pushing, or even switching developer) can then be applied with the first proof as a reference point. This invariably improves the quality of negative development by fine tuning. 120 roll film format does not afford this degree of control. 4. A 6x9cm Graflok back holds 6 frames. A roll of 120 roll film only shoots 8 frames, on the condition that the roll film back doesn't cause overlapping, misloaded starting points etc. Some films such as Adox 25 also are very light sensitive, and fog even in subdued daylight, necessitating changing bag loading. A Graflokk takes up about 75% size of a 120 roll film back. Perhaps roll-film isn't as convenient for this particular format? The disadvantages: well, perhaps I'll leave those for now. One of the main ones is the extreme limitation in available emulsions (no infrared or orthochromatic emulsions...) Kind regards.

RJ, chacun a son gout. As I think you know, I use Adapt-A-Roll 620 roll holders which are more compact than Graflex' roll holders.

Still and all, its not entirely a bad idea. Before bugging manufacturers, you might want to ask J&C how much they'll charge to cut sheet film in larger formats down to 2x3. Also float your question on http://www.apug.org, I have the impression that there's not a huge overlap between APUG's readers and graflex.org's.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the suggestions.

Are you getting reasonable-perfect film flatness with the 620 roll holders?

One disadvantage (or advantage) I have is being outside of the States, where J&C are based. There is a much smaller critical mass in 6x9cm sheet film photography and American photographers are unlikely to jump at paying the higher European costs of niche film formats.

I thought I might try asking one small manufacturer (Lupus). If that fails, then I'll resolve to do what I set out to do in February and cut my own.

I'm afraid the style and personalities on Apug forum can be too much of a deterrent. It's not the kind of forum I enjoy.

Thanks for your help again.

Kind regards,

RJ

If I remember right, there has been some discussion on Apug from Simon at illford about this format, he coresponds on apug all the time addressing film format issues, it might be worth your time to ask him directly, I know you can contact him through there..

Dave

I buy my 2x3 sheet film from J&C, but if you're in Europe, you should be able to order it from fotoimpex.de. It's a standard item--not special order. They have a few different emulsions. Even if it is not on the fotoimpex website, e-mail Mirko, and he should be able to get it.

Some Europeans still purchase from J&C to avoid the VAT.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: David A. Goldfarb on 2006-05-28 10:48 ]</font>

Quote:

On 2006-05-28 09:37, R_J wrote: Hi Dan, Thanks for the suggestions. Are you getting reasonable-perfect film flatness with the 620 roll holders? One disadvantage (or advantage) I have is being outside of the States, where J&C are based. There is a much smaller critical mass in 6x9cm sheet film photography and American photographers are unlikely to jump at paying the higher European costs of niche film formats. I thought I might try asking one small manufacturer (Lupus). If that fails, then I'll resolve to do what I set out to do in February and cut my own. I'm afraid the style and personalities on Apug forum can be too much of a deterrent. It's not the kind of forum I enjoy. Thanks for your help again. Kind regards, RJ

RJ, there are two flavors of AAR 620. The original, in which the film is taken up rolled inside out, and modified, in which the film is taken up inside in. In the modified ones, the film turns a sharp corner as it passes the end of the gate and moves towards the take-up spool. In the originals, it goes straight across the front until it is past at least the take-up spool's core.

I have the impression that I sometimes get a little buckle at the take-up end of my modified AAR. Otherwise, and especially with the originals, no complaints.

Cheers,

Dan

Dave, David and Dan,

Many thanks for your thoughts. 40 views but not much interest. Guess this is a lost cause.......?

Here's the emulsions I can find:

Adox CHS 50 ISO
2¼x3¼ inches 50 Sheets

Classic Pan 200 2¼x3¼ inch 25sh

Does anyone else know of any other?

J&C lists HP5+, J&C (Classic Pan) 200, Efke/Adox 25, and Efke/Adox 100. You should be able to get those all through fotoimpex.de with the possible exception of HP5+, but it may be a special order. Efke/Adox 100 is a really beautiful film, by the way, though a little fragile if you are tray processing.

See current b&w film and paper availablility on http://www.darkroomagic.com/temp/Current%26Original.pdf
Also an interesting list of links here : http://www.darkroomagic.com/Library/library.htm
From Ralph W Lambrecht's page, he's from Cologne, Germany.

Ilford HP-5+ is a stock item that should be available anywhere Ilford professional films and chemicals are sold. Now, if we could just get them to package FP-4 in 6X9.......

I emailed Simon at Ilford about the possibility of getting FP4+ cut to 2x3 in next year's special order through JandC and his response was that he looks forward to seeing my order. I assume that means Ilford is willing and able to cut the film to that size.

HP5+ has been available as a stock item for years - at least in the US. I would think it would be the same in Europe.

I use almost nothing but sheet film in my Miniature Speed Graphic and my Mamiya RB67 - for all of the reasons listed above.
juan

Ilford did have FP4 in 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sheets until 2001 here in the US. Upon discontinuance, I contacted them and they indicated that very similar results could be had with HP5 by fine-grain processing - I took their advice and switched. I develop HP5 (at ISO 250) in Perceptol for 14.5 minutes (68F) in hangers (one minute between agitation lift-left, drain, lift right in less than 10 sec.).