Can enlargers also reduce?

3Dfan · 15th January 2006

Is it possible to produce a size reduction with an enlarger or otherwise do so with a standard technique? For instance, if one were to want wallet sized photos from a large format negative or to produce 35mm slides from medium format slides?

hondasleeper · 19th January 2006

There isn't anyway to do what you want to do using your enlarger. Because even if you make a contact print of the film it still would be larger than your required size. The only thing I can thing of is to duplicate the piece of film with the format that you want to print with. So basically making a second generation piece of film. Also bear in mind that you will experience some cropping of the original.

Let me clarify, if you want to get a 6x6 copy of your 4x5, make a copy of your 4x5 with a medium format camera.

I'm not too sure if that will help, but I think the easier and less difficult solution is to have the film scanned and take it to Photoshop and crop it and make your prints from there.

That would be my suggestion.

ratboy · 19th January 2006

I mildly remember that can be done
Think your enlarger bellows must be long enough ...
but don't quote me on that : )

Heartshape · 20th January 2006

If I remember correctly, it can be done.
Your enlarger's head goes up and down right? The lower it goes, the smaller the image. Move it all the way down if you want tiny images.

sabahan · 20th January 2006

I remember some enlarger lens can do that,but not cheap,check rodenstock web site for more detail on the enlarger lens.

15th January 2006	#1
3Dfan New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1	Can enlargers also reduce? Is it possible to produce a size reduction with an enlarger or otherwise do so with a standard technique? For instance, if one were to want wallet sized photos from a large format negative or to produce 35mm slides from medium format slides?

19th January 2006	#2
hondasleeper Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	Re: Can enlargers also reduce? There isn't anyway to do what you want to do using your enlarger. Because even if you make a contact print of the film it still would be larger than your required size. The only thing I can thing of is to duplicate the piece of film with the format that you want to print with. So basically making a second generation piece of film. Also bear in mind that you will experience some cropping of the original. Let me clarify, if you want to get a 6x6 copy of your 4x5, make a copy of your 4x5 with a medium format camera. I'm not too sure if that will help, but I think the easier and less difficult solution is to have the film scanned and take it to Photoshop and crop it and make your prints from there. That would be my suggestion.

19th January 2006	#3
ratboy Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 702	Re: Can enlargers also reduce? I mildly remember that can be done Think your enlarger bellows must be long enough ... but don't quote me on that : )

20th January 2006	#4
Heartshape Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East End Posts: 121	Re: Can enlargers also reduce? If I remember correctly, it can be done. Your enlarger's head goes up and down right? The lower it goes, the smaller the image. Move it all the way down if you want tiny images.

20th January 2006	#5
sabahan Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 329	Re: Can enlargers also reduce? I remember some enlarger lens can do that,but not cheap,check rodenstock web site for more detail on the enlarger lens.