Mammoth dev trays

[Asha]

Do developing trays measuring in excess of 165 x125cm ( 5’6” x 4’2”) actually exist?!! Lol

Although calculated on paper ( with help from @StephenM), I have never until today actually physically assessed the largest print that I could make with my enlarger.

A print measuring 165cm x125cm could be obtained from a 10x8 negative.

Bear in mind that 10x8 is the largest format that I shoot , however the negholder will accept upto and inc 12x10”

I doubt that I’ll ever follow this through though iirc rolls of paper to cover these dimensions are available through ilford.

I do confess that the thought of having a go is quite exciting.

The lensboard adjustment allows the image to sit clear of the wall located behind the enlarger and the furniture either side can be removed to clear the necessary floor area. .

Barring paper, some Titan sized trays, and a mortgage to pay for the materials, I’m all set to go

 

[Nod]

Not sure they're commercially available but I'm sure something could be created fairly easily and cheaply using chipboard for the base and 4x1 PSE timber for the sides; line the shallow box with a sheet of polythene and Robert is a parent's brother!

I look forward to seeing a photo of such a print!!!

 

[Karl.t1965]

Motor type drip tray, search for

Generator Drip Tray – 270L​

Drip tray

 

[StephenM]

And the other option that used to be suggested was to see saw the paper through a trough - possibly drainpipes or guttering. A simple wooden tray as Nod suggested was the other "old" idea. Or a bath... Or placing the paper on a suitable floor and using a sponge soaked in the developer etc.

As a single person job, having the paper fixed to batons at each end and supported from above on a mechanism that would allow the see saw motion to be carried out single handed would be very useful. The sort of clothes rack that is supported from the ceiling would probably serve.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

We did prints 3meters X 3 meters every month in sections from 1 meter wide rolls . When I worked in a studio in Madrid in the late 50's They were for store window displays.

When we started doing them they were hung on the wall, and the processing was done with sponges with a narrow drip tray on the floor.

We later moved the studio and had purporse built perspex drums made to hold the prints, the tanks they rotated in, only needed about 5 litres of diluted chemicals to set the paper.

The critical part was making three strips that matched perfectly. The paper was made in rolls of super heavyweight paper just over a meter wide.

It was a monthly task to provide twelve new prints. A few of them I made from Rolleiflex negatives, but mostly from 5x7 inch cut film.
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