Traditional Enlarged Negatives

[clay]

I've done the direct reversal method. It is remarkably straightforward and I got a usable negative the first try. I have by no means mastered the process, but it certainly seems like a relatively painless way to go.

[roy]

I've done the direct reversal method. It is remarkably straightforward and I got a usable negative the first try.

Interesting, I shall try it. I have only used the interpositive/negative way up to now.

[photomc]

Clay, could you elaborate or point us to a link? Sounds interesting, but not sure I completely understand..are you talking about basicly making a b&w transparency?

Thanks,

[clay]

Basically, you are doing the same process involved in transparency processing - you are creating a silver image that is subsequently bleached away, and the remaining silver is a negative of the positive image that was removed. This remaining silver is then developed in room light to create another negative image that duplicates the original negative. There is a good article on unblnkingeye :
http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/NbyR/nbyr.html
that explains the process in detail. Also click the link the Liam Lawless article and read that article. The only thing i would recommend is doubling the concentration of the sulphuric acid in the bleach if you are using common auto battery acid to make it. And wear gloves and safety glasses whenever you mess with this sort of stuff!

[David A. Goldfarb]

Just checking in after a long day at the Jagiellonian Library here in Cracow. Glad to see this thread has taken off, and I've already learned a few things.

[photomc]

David, I agree - I think the subject could become a forum topic if it wanted to.

[inthedark]

I have had great success with two options. If the enlarged negative is to be 10" X 12" or less, then I use a direct duplicating orthochromatic film and post-flash it to produce the base mask (I think that is what it is called). If the enlarged negative is to be larger than 10" x 12" then I use direct duplicating mylar or duplicating paper with the same post flash. Works great, and none of the back and forth. Just do it. by the way all of this processes in regular Dektol.

[photomc]

Clay, Thank You for your input. Will check out the link and YES, familiar with the acid and will head the advice...

[b&wisbest]

I hope that this is the appropriate forum for this query.
I am about to do a project in alternative processes, (two colour gum dichromate) requiring enlarged 10" x 8" contact negatives using two identical negatives but different exposures. I will use orthochromatic sheet film.
Can anyone advise me on which developer/fix combination I should use?
Any advice would be appreciated.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Since this is a question that comes up often, I've made this a sticky thread and merged today's query with it.