Re: paper instead of film?

----- Original Message -----
From: "jack durrett" <jd333@cox.net>
To: <Pinhole-Discussion@pinhole.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2002 3:11 PM
Subject: [pinhole-discussion] paper instead of film?

>Hi all. I'm a newbie to the list and to pinhole but I've been eagerly reading
>the posts and picking up a few pointers. However, I have a basic
>question. I've made some pinhole cameras and taken some film pictures
>with each. Now I'm wanting to use some photo paper instead. I bought
>some Ilford 5x7 Multigrade IV RC Deluxe MGD.44M Pearl paper. >Apparently the
back of the paper is too opaque to make contact prints.

Have you tried it and had problems?

I have used it many many times and have no problems contact printing it. I now
use my enlarger's light source to contact print it and adjust the print time
length by changing the aperture of my enlarger's lens, but some years ago, I
used a regular light bulb 25 watts about 5 feet above the contact print set up
and adjusted the print time length with a regular light dimmer. If print times
are too long to your liking, you can still use a higher wattage bulb. Some
people use substances to make the paper more translucent, but I have had no need
to do it, myself.

That paper can not only be contact printed but can even be enlarged, I did this
for a workshop I gave and everybody was surpriced with the result (including
myself). I made a 35mm format exposure using the above paper and then enlarged
it to 6x6 with my Omega D5XL, here is the result:

http://members.rogers.com/penate/doll6x6.jpg

>What is the best paper for this? Is paper comparable quality-wise (for
>the image) or should I stick to film?

Film is more forgiving and has better known reciprocity characteristics than
paper, but paper is excellent emulsion for odd shaped and un-usual format sizes
cameras, beside the fact that it is cheaper than film.

>Sorry for so simple a question but even the best photog store here hasn't
>been much help. (You should have seen the quizzical looks when I
>mentioned "pinhole".)

Next time try asking them about "zoneplate" lenses!

Guillermo
Received on Sun Mar 3 17:17:04 2002