Contact printing frame

[piticu]

Can someone recommend a not too expensive printing frame manufacturer here, in Europe? I will print maximum size of 13x19".

[Loris Medici]

The one (manufacturer) I know is pretty expensive. (But they goods are premium quality - Remember it's a once in a lifetime purchase...) What about surfing ebay? You may find pretty nice vintage frames for good prices...

[Loris Medici]

BTW there's Lotus Cameras too. (Not cheap though...)

[piticu]

Thanks, i will ask Argentum for a quote. Lotus Cameras is way out of my league I've watched ebay for almost a year now and all i could found was zero. Either liliputan frames (3x4" or so) or larger but crappy ones.

[Joe Lipka]

What is your application for contact printing? For the first ten years of my platinum printing, I used a 5 cm (1/4") thick piece of glass.

I know they look really nice, but who besides you will know?

[piticu]

Wow, 1/4" glass will eat up a lot of UV, right? I'm using too a glass sandwich for the moment but I want to print a 13x19 later this year and i don't think that the plain glass will provide the uniform pressure for such a large paper/negative.

[Joe Lipka]

piticu - Accidentally deleted your PM yesterday. Please resend.

Thanks.

[Loris Medici]

Piticu, both for heavy glass or split-back printing frame, it depends on paper and backing. Sometimes even my 11x14" (oversized, not exact dimensions) high quality B&S contact printing frame gives me unsharp spots. I'd suggest that you hunt (locally) for unwanted used vacuum frames. Sometimes they can be purchased for less money than a brand new well-built split back contact printing frame. OTOH, let me remind again: it's a once in a life purchase...