Large format film prints...?

Question

I just wanted to know if you can print individual very large prints of film so you don't print every single picture (like if you have 10 good pictures but the others you don't think deserve to be in large format). Also I wanted to know if you could view them before you print large because I don't mind paying for some bad 4 by 6's or something small like that but they can get expensive when they're big).

Basically I wanted to know if you can tell whether it's worthy of large prints before you make large prints in any way.

when I say large format, I just mean big pictures-8 by 10 in. and up

Also, how do you get large prints (very large-larger than 8 by 10 in.)

Sometimes I have a picture that I really, really like, but I can't find anywhere that'll print larger than 8 by 10.

Answer 1

If you go to a one hour photo "lab" you can ask them for negatives only, but I don't know if they can do that. The machines are pretty much automated, so you may have to get your 4X6 prints.

You can go to a camera store that uses a regular photographic lab and get custom developing done. You can request that they develop your film and give you a contact sheet. A contact sheet is a sheet of photographic paper that has had the negatives placed directly on them and exposed. You can get an idea what the finished pint will look like and give cropping instruction for the finished print. You will need a loupe, probably a 10X, to view the contact proofs.

You may also find that paying for this service is more expensive that just going to the one hour photo place and getting your standard prints. You can still do approximately the same thing, checking the print with your loupe and making your cropping instructions for your finished 8X10.

As far as getting prints larger than 8X10, you need to find a lab that does custom printing. Check with your local camera stores.

Answer 2

That's not what large format means. You are just talking about print size.
You can make a contact sheet if you are using film. Even if you don't process it yourself. You can ask the film processor to do that. Then you can see thumbnails just like in a digital camera.
You have to at least use 35mm to print an 8x10. It can go up to 11x14.
Large format means the size of your film. Not the finished print.

Answer 3

When you say "large format film" are you talking about 4x5 or 5x7 or 8x10 sheet film?

With sheet film you can place the negative on a light box and examine it with a 10x loupe to check focus, etc. With an 8x10 negative you probably won't need any help to visually inspect it.

With 120/220 roll film or 35mm film you can have a contact sheet printed and examine it with a 20x loupe or you can examine either strip of negatives on the light box with the 20x loupe.

A lab will print only the negatives you select.

Answer 4

Quite a few online companies will take your image (whether its originally film or digital) and print it massive. A good one I have used before and been very happy with is Peak Imaging, based in the UK (www.peak-imaging.com) - which will offer a wide range of print options in big sizes, such as 45" x 30". Not sure about viewing what your print would look like massive before you buy though - it would be worth contacting a couple of companies to discuss.

Answer 5

Firstly are we talking large format film camera or large format digital printing?