which paper size?

[removedacct3]

What is the paper size you are supposed to use when using a Speed Ez-El 4x5 easel? Reason for asking is that I never see 4x5 paper for sale. Is it an obsolete format?

 

[MattKing]

8" x 10" paper, cut into four sheets.

 

[Oren Grad]

Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe paper is offered in 4x5" size. However, the only package size offered is 1000 sheets, so the product is evidently targeted at commercial users. If you don't need that much of it or don't like that paper, then as Matt says, you'll need to cut from larger sheets.

 

[M Carter]

...and for cutting, get a decent paper cutter that lets you cut several sheets and keeps them square (vs. scissors). Guillotine cutters are common used, the roller/slider things I've never used but seem designed for one sheet at a time.

I've had an old 24" guillotine forever, and I have tape marks at my most common cut spots so I don't have to strain to read the ruler under safelights.

 

[pentaxuser]

The Durst Comask is one such easel that will frame an 8x10 into 4 prints of 4x5 but I hadn't heard of cut 4x5 paper until Oren Grad mentioned the 1000 sheet pack. As others have said cutting 8x10 paper into four 4x5 is relatively easy.

pentaxuser

 

[Adrian Bacon]

What is the paper size you are supposed to use when using a Speed Ez-El 4x5 easel? Reason for asking is that I never see 4x5 paper for sale. Is it an obsolete format?

I buy 16x20 and cut it down to whatever sizes I need, either 4 8x10s, or some combination of different sizes. I'd buy it in rolls, but don't currently have a good way to dispense the rolls, and 16x20 is the biggest sheet size I can reasonably get without special ordering it. Getting it 50 sheets at a time works out to a little less per 8x10 than buying just 8x10s, and I have the added benefit of also having a really large paper size if I want to print big. It's just less stock to have to keep on hand. I have both a guillotine cutter and a rotary cutter, but much prefer the rotary cutter as it cuts straighter and is a lot less dangerous when it's only red safelight conditions. I have templates for my most commonly used paper sizes, so it's pretty quick to slide a 16x20 sheet out and get it parceled out.

 

[mshchem]

Used to be greeting card sizes, US postcard 3 1/2 × 5 7/16, 4×5, a dozen different surfaces, different base tints for papers. Ilford used to sell 3 1/2 × 5 in 100 sheet boxes, 20 years ago is ancient history. Pre-cut paper is so nice. I print with old school borders, the pre cut stuff gives perfect borders.

 

[mshchem]

I just checked B&H they have 100 sheet boxes of 3 1/2 × 5. Ilford rc. 4x5 only 1000 sheets.

 

[removedacct3]

... I print with old school borders, the pre cut stuff gives perfect borders. ...

That is the thing. I like my prints with borders as well. That's why I am loving my plastic Patterson's 5x7 and 8x10 easels as they give me even borders on my prints. I am aware that these easels are rather flimsy and that they are completely unusable with Ilford ART 300, but that is what I have at hand. For a new personal project that I would like to print on the smaller 6x4 format I was looking for something like the Patterson's easels. To make a not-so-long story even shorter .. I am browsing on eBay for Speed-Ez-Els by Ganz. Since these easels were never available in Europe, the US seems to be the only place to get them from. I am on the look out for a complete set to minimise shipping costs. A Ganz 6x4 easel never pops up, at least not that I can remember. But I do see 4x5 quite often, alone or as part of a set, but I failed to realize that they are supposed to work with 3.5 x 5 format.

 

[voceumana]

Saunders made several fixed size easels (now obsolete) of good, durable, metal construction. These were in 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20 sizes. Fixed borders of 1/4 inch. The 5x7 model had an adjustable bar for 3-1/2 by 5, 4x5, and 5x5 prints. It's my favorite easel for smaller prints. Originally came with 2 cards so that you could print 2 each of 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches on one 3-1/2 by 5 piece of paper by rotating the paper after 1 print; or 2 each 3-1/2 by 5 prints on 5x7 paper. These are heavier than the Ganz units, so they stay in place more easily than the Speed Ezels.

There are a few of the 5x7 models on ebay right now. If you opt for one, make sure it comes with the moveable bar.

The Ganz easels for 3-1/2 by 5 are different from the ones for 4x5--two separate models.

Also, note that several manufacturer's made "4-in-1" easels, with 3 openings on one side (2-1/2 by 3-1/2, 4x5 (or 3-1/2 by 5), and 5x7) with 8x20 on the opposite side. These tend to be well built, too, giving fixed borders.

 

[mshchem]

That is the thing. I like my prints with borders as well. That's why I am loving my plastic Patterson's 5x7 and 8x10 easels as they give me even borders on my prints. I am aware that these easels are rather flimsy and that they are completely unusable with Ilford ART 300, but that is what I have at hand. For a new personal project that I would like to print on the smaller 6x4 format I was looking for something like the Patterson's easels. To make a not-so-long story even shorter .. I am browsing on eBay for Speed-Ez-Els by Ganz. Since these easels were never available in Europe, the US seems to be the only place to get them from. I am on the look out for a complete set to minimise shipping costs. A Ganz 6x4 easel never pops up, at least not that I can remember. But I do see 4x5 quite often, alone or as part of a set, but I failed to realize that they are supposed to work with 3.5 x 5 format.

Ganz made all manner of sizes 4x5 for 4x5, 3 1/2 ×5 for 3 1/2 ×5 etc. Back in the olden days 4x6 was not common in the USA. I do have a 4x6 Ganz easel, it's the only one I've ever see.

You should consider a Saunders 5 in 1 easel. These come up often it has a small bar that can be repositioned. It can be arranged to make 5x7, 3 1/2 ×5, or 4x5 all with perfect borders. The easel originally came with a bit of card stock that allowed for printing 4 wallet sized prints on a single piece of paper. The easel holds up to 5x7 paper. The paper is perfectly centered.

 

[mshchem]

That is the thing. I like my prints with borders as well. That's why I am loving my plastic Patterson's 5x7 and 8x10 easels as they give me even borders on my prints. I am aware that these easels are rather flimsy and that they are completely unusable with Ilford ART 300, but that is what I have at hand. For a new personal project that I would like to print on the smaller 6x4 format I was looking for something like the Patterson's easels. To make a not-so-long story even shorter .. I am browsing on eBay for Speed-Ez-Els by Ganz. Since these easels were never available in Europe, the US seems to be the only place to get them from. I am on the look out for a complete set to minimise shipping costs. A Ganz 6x4 easel never pops up, at least not that I can remember. But I do see 4x5 quite often, alone or as part of a set, but I failed to realize that they are supposed to work with 3.5 x 5 format.

Here's a US Ebay listing for the Saunders easel.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Saunders-SLS-57-5-x7-5-in-1-Adjustabar-Enlarging-Easel-/183768362751