BetterPhoto Q&A
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Christine		How to get a good results from a 35mm neg. I am just starting out in the photography field and I was wondering somthing about developing. Why can I only develop a 35mm negitive to a max. of an 8x10? How can I get it to per say an 16x20 without it looking blurred and distorted? Is there a special film I need to be using or maybe a different camera? By the way I use Portra 400 with an Pentax K1000 & ME. Thanks for any help! -Christine To love this question, log in above August 05, 2004

Andy		Here's something you may consider: 1) the quality of the lens (not the camera) 2) make sure your subject is in pin sharp focus 3) watch out for depth-of-field (depending on the subject, you may need to use a smaller aperture to bring the entire subject into "focus") 4) use finer grain film (ISO 50/100/160) instead; I think slide film has better grain than print film (I could be wrong though) 5) if you are doing enlargement in a lab, their enlargement lens may not be in focus; just a thought Hope this helps. To love this comment, log in above August 05, 2004

Rebecka Franklin		Andy has hit all the things that I can think of. The lens on the enlarger might be your problem. What kind of enlarger are you using? When I was shopping for enlargers, the descriptions for the different types of enlargers would say things like, "for enlargments up to 8x10" or "11x14" or "16x20". Some said that you could tilt the head for wall projection and get larger prints. Some enlargers you can change the lens and get bigger prints. I have read on this site that some people don't have any problem at all with really big enlargements from a 35mm neg. I have done 16x20s with no problem. To love this comment, log in above August 05, 2004

Christine		Well Thank you for the ideas but I guess I didn't make myself clear in my last email. I actually us a professional developer and they tell me that a 35mm negitive will not enlarge real good beyond the 8x10. Dosn't make sense to me because where do all the real big pictures come from? To love this comment, log in above August 05, 2004

Rebecka Franklin		Years ago before I started doing my own, I took my prints to a place that had the same picture on a 8x10, 11x14, 16x20, and the next one larger 20x24? Anyway, it is posible. Maybe it is just the lab? Have you called around town and see if there is anyone who will do bigger enlargements? To love this comment, log in above August 05, 2004

Vince Broesch		I've printed thousands of 35negs to 20x30 and up to 60x80. What you need to consider is "average print viewing distance". That is twice the diagonal messurment of the print. So your neg can be printed the size of a billboard and look great... as viewed from 60 feet. There is no limit as to how big you can make your 35mm picture. Some people are going to have a different opinion, I respect that, but I've been in photo processing for 25 years and this is my opinion. Vince www.PhotoAgo.com To love this comment, log in above August 05, 2004

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