- Messages
- 483
- Name
- John
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Black and white photography is deep in the hearts of many of us and now there's even a top class black and white camera (the Leica M) a camera which can never shoot colour images. But do you know what, twenty five years ago and still today it was, and is easier and more convenient to print black and white picures using an enlarger, safelight, couple of dishes and a running tap that in is to print digitally using the latest from Epson or Canon. And what's more we know with historic certaintly and without accelarated ageing tests by the Wilhelm boys, that the images will last.
For several years I achieved near Bromide quality with the Old HP 7660 (I think) series of printers using the HP59 ink cartridge with it's three density of grey ink - the essential ingredient of true monochrome printing. It was with this in mind that I investigated what was available now, nothing below a3+ it appears, and then it's only a couple of expensive models from Epson and Canon, HP appear to have discontinued their a3+ grey scale optimised printer.
The trouble with these printers is the appalling ink and print head costs which become exacerbated when, as is often the case with the amateur, they are not used for a few months, Heads clog, ink gets dumped, waste ink tank, Waste Ink!!! overflows and so on. I've tried labs, the B/W is clearly printed on clour paper so what permanency will there be. Ilford are great but expensive, but worst of all it's no fun. I want to produce my own prints.
So here's the crazy idea for B/W only and those who don't mind experimenting a bit - perhaps someones done it already?
Shoot your image, in edit software convert to B/W then reverse image to negative and save file. Modify a digital projector to become an enlarger, fit a fan interlock so vibration stops momentarily during exposure, fit ND filte to reduce light llevel, Fit physical shutter to control exposure time - nothing sophisticated , just a piece of card - exposures will be 5-20 secs like the old days perhaps. Send image to projector and project image onto photo paper, doing test strips and developing as in the old days.
Developer is cheap, £7 or so, fixer even cheaper and they will last for ages, you just dilute what you need and the bottle lasts for ages. Paper is 70p a sheet at a4 and will last for ages and so on. Obviously this won't mean a lot to those who don't know Silver halide printing but I think it might just work.
Anyone got an old projector they don't use? I'll report back if I. find one.
I have now retired (somewhat early) from all pro shooting and training by the way.
John
For several years I achieved near Bromide quality with the Old HP 7660 (I think) series of printers using the HP59 ink cartridge with it's three density of grey ink - the essential ingredient of true monochrome printing. It was with this in mind that I investigated what was available now, nothing below a3+ it appears, and then it's only a couple of expensive models from Epson and Canon, HP appear to have discontinued their a3+ grey scale optimised printer.
The trouble with these printers is the appalling ink and print head costs which become exacerbated when, as is often the case with the amateur, they are not used for a few months, Heads clog, ink gets dumped, waste ink tank, Waste Ink!!! overflows and so on. I've tried labs, the B/W is clearly printed on clour paper so what permanency will there be. Ilford are great but expensive, but worst of all it's no fun. I want to produce my own prints.
So here's the crazy idea for B/W only and those who don't mind experimenting a bit - perhaps someones done it already?
Shoot your image, in edit software convert to B/W then reverse image to negative and save file. Modify a digital projector to become an enlarger, fit a fan interlock so vibration stops momentarily during exposure, fit ND filte to reduce light llevel, Fit physical shutter to control exposure time - nothing sophisticated , just a piece of card - exposures will be 5-20 secs like the old days perhaps. Send image to projector and project image onto photo paper, doing test strips and developing as in the old days.
Developer is cheap, £7 or so, fixer even cheaper and they will last for ages, you just dilute what you need and the bottle lasts for ages. Paper is 70p a sheet at a4 and will last for ages and so on. Obviously this won't mean a lot to those who don't know Silver halide printing but I think it might just work.
Anyone got an old projector they don't use? I'll report back if I. find one.
I have now retired (somewhat early) from all pro shooting and training by the way.
John