Washi 4 x 5, W, ISO 25, 12 sheets

Item: 26279

Paper negative from the original Calotype process

1 review

In stock

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Product Description

There's a new 25 ISO black & white film this year, a modern adaptation of one of the oldest photographic techniques: the paper negative or Calotype, invented William Henry Fox Talbot. By coating photosensitive emulsion onto a Japanese traditional paper, this clever French company has produced the Washi, a new original film with a unique pictorialist aesthetic look to it.

Fully handcrafted, easy to handle and develop, Washi Film is now available in conventional photographic formats: 120 and 4 x 5, 8x10 so now any monochrome photographer can discover this special film.

Being a paper negative you develop it in paper developer usually 1+1 dilution and you can reuse the solution for several rolls or sheets.

Being orthochromatic it is sensitive to the blue end of the spectrum while being relatively insensitive to the red. This means that Washi Film can be handled under a red safelight as with other film, but you must remember to rinse the film with cold clean water to ensure optimal conservation of the negative.

After processing, scan or print as a contact using your enlarger.

(NB If scanning, use a transparency scan setting, as normal print scanning exhibits an overexposed veil over the print).

Processing Technique:

Washi must be processed under safelight in open trays:

1. Unroll the film and then separate it from its protective paper

2. Fix a flat clamp at each end of the film to handle it safely

3. Dip the film completely in clear water to give it a flat shape

4. Immerse it in the developer until complete stabilization of the negative

5. Rinse the film in a tray of clear water, do not use stop bath

6. Gradually immerse the film in an ordinary bath fixer

7. Once the film soaked with fixer, hang it for 3-5 minutes

8. Rinse several times the film in a tray of clear water for at least 5-10 minutes.

9. Suspend the film and leave it to dry.

10. Once completely dry the film tends to curl, cut it into equal strips that you can place under a weight in order to flatten it.

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Customer Reviews

By HowardMaryonDavis on 3rd August 2023

"I am experimenting with large format paper negatives, so I bought this to try out. It is on a very thin base, which is also wrinkled, so it is not easy to load into film holders. Since it can be handled under red safelight, the best method is to load film holders visually and to use small strips of adhesive tape to hold the paper in the guides so it does not slip out. For simplicity, I developed test sheets in ordinary paper developer, in a small dish. That worked perfectly well, but the paper needs careful handling when wet. An interesting product for experimenters which requires care in handling, a bit like Polaroid Transfers."

Manufacturer's Description

Returns

All returns for purchased items are covered in our Customer Service section below under the sub-headings of Cancellation, Replacement and Terms and Conditions. Our returns policy is fully compliant with UK Online and Consumer Contracts Regulations (updated February 2020).

Delivery

Most orders incur a total order delivery charge of £7.99 including VAT for mainland UK delivery. All goods are shipped by courier services. The companies we use are DPD or DHL and parcels are delivered in 48 hours or sooner from date of despatch. Exceptions to this, including lower delivery charges, can be found in the Information section for Delivery at the bottom this page.