Digital to transparency

[danlindberg]

Is it possible to produce a high quality 4x5 transparency from a high resolution digital file?

 

[Shashin]

It is possible. You use a film recorder, although I am not sure what film recorder would be up to the task and who would have them--I am not thinking there is a great demand for this.

I guess the question would be why?

 

[dougpeterson]

Absolutely.

There used to be a vibrant market for film recorders. Not so much anymore, but still a few out there. We recently installed a digital back at BOX in NYC; they have a film recorder they are still actively using for the small but high-end niche that wants that kind of service.

As to why: one reason is so that you can use traditional processes with a digitally captured image (or a film image scanned, manipulated digitally). Some people also view film as a better long term archiving option (I disagree, but I understand the appeal/argument) but that's neither here nor there.

I did a good amount of cyanotype printing from digital files in Miami and Australia. Not so much since I moved to the northeast. That process doesn't require a lot of resolution in the transparent medium so I just printed on acetate.
Doug Peterson, Wedding Photography

 

[Shashin]

Doug, I was really wondering why Dan wanted to convert the image to film. I understand there are reasons for it.

 

[danlindberg]

Thanks Doug. That was great info!

Shashin, The simple answer is - I'm not sure why I would want it! The thought came about when I read an article about a couple renovating there old house in Lund, Sweden. Ripping out the wooden floor in the attic revealed thousands of hidden photographs on glas. Later known to be shot between 1885-1910. They were in excellent condition and are now part of a large photography collection at the Museum of Lund.
Imagine finding a 100 year old USB stick with Tiff files. Who could read those at that new day and age?

Also I must admit that just to handle a good 4x5 transparency beats looking at a screen.....

Now atleast I know it is possible

 

[Shashin]

Dan, if you are thinking of archiving, do not leave your files on a USB stick. However, TIFF will be good.

This archiving issue is really important. But it is one that you find out about when it does not work.

 

[torger]

Converting to 4x5" slide film and then use a 4x5" slide projector to present your images would show a high res image on the wall unlike any digital projector can do? That could be one use. It's also really delightful just looking at slides on the light table.

 

[Lars]

If you are considering hybrid processes where a print is the final output, a larger transparency and contact printing is a lot easier to work with. No need for a film recorder, just print on clear film using an inkjet printer.

 

[Shashin]

It would have been great if we could have made dye-transfer matrices with an ink-jet technology.

 

[corposant]

Doug, I was really wondering why Dan wanted to convert the image to film. I understand there are reasons for it.

I was at the Paris Photo exhibition (in LA) a couple weeks ago and a few photographers used this as their presentation medium (mounted on top of an LED panel).

 

[Shashin]

I was at the Paris Photo exhibition (in LA) a couple weeks ago and a few photographers used this as their presentation medium (mounted on top of an LED panel).

If this was Dan's use, then I would suggested he use transparency display material and he would not have been limited to 4x5.

 

[wesley]

wonder any users here playing Pictorico to transfer digital file back into wet printing?
Pictorico Pro Ultra Premium OHP Transparency Film - PICT35011

 

[Lars]

I've used Pictorico for some hybrid prints. First C/M/Y on the inkjet, then a contact print from a neg printed on Picorico (platinum process). There's plenty of material out there on how to do it. Results range from "fun" to interesting to artistic.