Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago

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With only a few days left to mention it, this month means something in the world of large format photography. August of 2020, aka 8/20 is a month of celebration of the Ultra Large Format, 8x20. It's only a little bit longer than 8x10" film, how much trouble could it be?

This isn't exactly a tutorial or a deep-dive, but in today's video you can follow along as I run four BIG sheets of film through this Frankenstein 8x20" camera and make B&W silver gelatin prints in the darkroom!

00:00 Intro
00:50 Reviving the 8x20
02:03 Plate 1
04:00 Plate 2
05:13 Plate 3
05:40 Plate 4
06:51 To the Darkroom
07:53 A Word on Paper
09:00 Archival Wash & Dry
09:48 8x20" Contact Prints!
11:12 The End of Season 1

My 8x20 is only operable because of the excellent custom 3D printing work by Jeff over at 20th Century Camera: 20thcenturycamera.com

Scan of Zill Sleeping on 8x20 here: flickr.com/photos/mat4226/50282608328

Questions? Send me an email: largeformatquestions@gmail.com

Content by Mat Marrash: matmarrash.com

#largeformat #filmphotography