Cutting down film

"Stephan Goldstein" <sg0ldo1867 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eJKdnb-HINkfAW7cRVn-pQ@rcn.net...
 > I've just acquired a full-plate Seneca with some film holders so
 > am about to embark on the adventurous road of cutting down
 > film.

Not answering your question, but offering a possible alternative,- metric
film sizes - see:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.jandcphoto.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=22" target="_blank">http://www.jandcphoto.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=22</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting down film 

On 1/23/2005 4:45 AM Stephan Goldstein spake thus:

 > I've just acquired a full-plate Seneca with some film holders so
 > am about to embark on the adventurous road of cutting down
 > film. Can I successfully use my Rotatrim for this, presuming
 > I provide protection to base and emulsion so they don't get
 > scratched in the process? (If I had some 8x10 film about I could
 > test this today, but I don't).

Possible DIY alternative: use a conventional paper trimmer (you know, the kind
with a slicing blade on the right edge).

I think the risk of scratching *might* even be less using this kind of cutter,
since you only need to lay the film down on the table. You'd need to rig up
some kind of stops on the bed for the size you want, but this is pretty
simple. I've used this method successfully to cut odd-size film for my various
pinhole cameras.


--
Today's bullshit job description:

• Collaborate to produce operational procedures for the systems management
of the production Information Technology infrastructure.

- from an actual job listing on Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting down film 

I believe that Freestyle Sales or Photo Warehouse, I forget which maybe
both, will cut to order.

I have a Rototrim but I'd be wary of using it to cut film. I'm sure it's
possible to do but I'd be concerned that in sliding the film under the
plastic guide the film would get scratched. Maybe you could sandwich the
film between sheets of thin tissue paper or something like that. Considering
the risk, the precision that's needed, and the fact that it's all done in
the dark, I'd pay someone a fair amount of money to cut it for me but then
I'm not big on "do-it-yourself" (aka "screw-it-up-yourself") projects.

"Stephan Goldstein" <sg0ldo1867.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eJKdnb-HINkfAW7cRVn-pQ@rcn.net...
 > I've just acquired a full-plate Seneca with some film holders so
 > am about to embark on the adventurous road of cutting down
 > film. Can I successfully use my Rotatrim for this, presuming
 > I provide protection to base and emulsion so they don't get
 > scratched in the process? (If I had some 8x10 film about I could
 > test this today, but I don't).
 >
 > Also, does anyone supply pre-cut film or cut-to-order?
 >
 > Thank you.
 >
 > Steve
 >
 > email address intentionally nonfunctional, please reply to group<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting down film 

I've done this with a conventional cutter to make 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 for my
Graphic, for "stops" pick up a roll of embossing tape for a Dymo label
maker, I even embossed a set of dots on one "stop" on my cutter so I can
find the right "stop" by feel in total darkness. I use scrap RC prints for
tests to adjust the stops to the precise position required and I put a white
cotton glove on my left hand so I don't fingerprint the film. Useful also
for cutting down Panalure or color paper in total darkness when printing.

"David Nebenzahl" <nobody.TakeThisOut@but.us.chickens> wrote in message
news:41F41C86.2020302@but.us.chickens...
 > On 1/23/2005 4:45 AM Stephan Goldstein spake thus:
 >
  > > I've just acquired a full-plate Seneca with some film holders so
  > > am about to embark on the adventurous road of cutting down
  > > film. Can I successfully use my Rotatrim for this, presuming
  > > I provide protection to base and emulsion so they don't get
  > > scratched in the process? (If I had some 8x10 film about I could
  > > test this today, but I don't).
 >
 > Possible DIY alternative: use a conventional paper trimmer (you know, the
kind
 > with a slicing blade on the right edge).
 >
 > I think the risk of scratching *might* even be less using this kind of
cutter,
 > since you only need to lay the film down on the table. You'd need to rig
up
 > some kind of stops on the bed for the size you want, but this is pretty
 > simple. I've used this method successfully to cut odd-size film for my
various
 > pinhole cameras.
 >
 >
 > --
 > Today's bullshit job description:
 >
 > • Collaborate to produce operational procedures for the systems
management
 > of the production Information Technology infrastructure.
 >
 > - from an actual job listing on Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org)
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting down film