Jump to content

Wall projection of color negatives?


Recommended Posts

<p>First of all, I want to apologize if this question is answered with common knowledge, I've been looking online for an hour or so and I can't seem to find anything helpful. <br>

I'm trying to plan a method for an upcoming project. What I would really love to do is shoot medium format color film, whether it is slide or negative, and have the original negative on display with light shining through it via a projector/enlarger mechanism as to project the image on the opposite wall. I would like to have to the projected image around 12 x 18, as I will likely be using 6 x 9 film, so the projection/negative will be facing the wall in close proximity, but allowing enough room for someone to walk between them and view both images.<br>

If this makes no sense, please let me know and I can begin working something else out. Thank you!!</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p >I get it! But:</p>

<p >Digital projectors and 35mm film projectors are plentiful while medium format film projectors are now a rarity. Therefore why not choose the less painful path. I advise is to place the negative on a lightbox and with your 35mm film camera or digital camera, make a copy. Now you can easily procure a projector and display a projected image of a negative on the opposite wall from the displayed print. If this does not appeal to you, then procure a medium format projector. Watch out, a C-41 type negative placed in a projector will fade in a matter of weeks. Best to project using a copy negative so the original is preserved. Why will a C-41 fade so quickly? The heat and the bright light speeds up fading. </p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Yes, I don't think there is a good way to view a negative (or positive) and also its projected image at the same time.</p>

<p>A negative with a backlit white background (white plastic, like a light box) should show well. You might want a UV filter to reduce fading, especially with fluorescent back lighting.</p>

<p>Separately project (a copy of) it, or the positive, and yes a digital projector is probably the best way with current technology. </p>

-- glen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Not quite sure, but if you do not need to rotate the images, couldn't an overhead project be made to work?<br /> An option could then also be using transparencies (as they exist for inktjet printers) to "print" the negatives or slides you need (=from scanned negative), and use those on the overhead projector, in case it's too fiddly with the original negative, or in case you'd need to keep it exposed for long time.</p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>18"x 12" is a small display area, about the size of a small computer monitor or TV. It is a simple matter to scan a piece of film and display it on as many TV monitors as you wish, in any format, positive or negative, with better image quality than you would achieve with optical projection.</p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Why 6x9 and by 12x18 are you talking inches, centimeter, feet, meters?<br /><br />I sense that you're trying to do something artistic where the viewer can see a smallish negative (with its reversed tones) and then see a larger postive image (with correct tones) and marvel over the transformation. Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. If you project a negative you will get a negative image on the wall. If you want to get a positive you need to project a slide/transparency. You can't project a negative and get a positive image on the wall.<br /><br />It sounds like you are saying that you want people to be able to look one way and see the large image projected on the wall, then turn and see the piece of film that it's coming from. The problem with that is that with any standard slide projector the space between the lens and the film is enclosed. You can't see the film. And if you could it would be near-blinding to look at because of the brightness of the projection lamp shining through it.<br /><br />In terms of distance between the projector and the wall, that depends on how big it's projected. Not sure of the calculations for 6x9 slides but for 35mm slides and a standard projector lens you would have to be about 50 feet away to project and 18-foot wide image. (or 50 inches for 18 inches, etc.)<br /><br />If you look up some recent threads here you'll find that 6x9 projectors are hard to find and expensive, where 35mm projectors are plentiful and cheap. Medium format film was never projected as commonly as 35mm. I would suggest that if you do film projection at all stick with 35mm. And as others have said digital makes life much, much easier but not sure if it achieves what you're trying to do.</p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p> One thing I have done is bring up paint program, just have a blank white screen at full brightness filling the full screen and lay transparent media flat over it and backlight it. I have done this many times. And if you want you can adjust the backlight color or tint. Maybe this would ruin the purpose of what you are trying to do. But maybe you also could scan them in computers and use two power point images or feed the images into 2 tv's with HDMI connectors.</p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>Some years ago I bought a tabletop projection screen. I'm 2000 miles from it so cannot measure it for you. In my mind it is under 24" square. I also bought an old bellows type 1000w slide projector with a 3x4 capability. 6x9 positive film, being smaller, works fine. I have used it on an 8 foot long table (with lesser 500w bulb) which held the almost 3 foot long projector and screen. I'll bet you can still buy a small screen or cut one from a larger swap meet purchased screen. </p>
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...