How to use Zebra Glass Dry Plates | Video Guide | Large Format Photography

Since there are more and more of you out there shooting Zebra Dry Plates I have decided to make a detailed video tutorial on how to use them from loading the plates into Zebra Dual Plate Holder to metering, exposure, processing and even getting a positive print. I try to answer the most frequent questions by keeping things plain and simple. Dry Plate photography is an immensely rewarding and enjoyable way to make a photograph. It can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting out, but once you're familiar with the process, it will feel like second nature in no time. There’s something special in the way it slows you down and makes you pay attention to every detail. Not to mention the satisfaction you get when you see the final image appearing in-front of your eyes ;)
This is why I have decided to make this magical process available to everyone!
🦓 Hand coated Zebra ISO 2 4X5 Glass Dry Plates and Zebra Dry Plate holder are available in the official Zebra store:
zebradryplates.com
Time stamp:
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Packaging / Unboxing
2:17 Which is the emulsion side?
2:57 Loading the plate
3:21 Exposure
4:46 Reciprocity failure?
5:51 How to meter?
6:23 Processing
8:39 Getting a positive
9:42 Conclusion
🖤 You can also support this channel by:
Becoming my Patreon. You'll be able to talk to me in person, receive my prints and get exclusive access to different additional videos, recipes… Hope to see you there. Thanks 😊
/ nejcurankar
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My Website & Blog: lostlightphotography.com
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▪️ GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Hand Coated Glass Dry-Plate: zebradryplates.com/product/ze...
Zebra 4x5 Dual Plate Holder: zebradryplates.com/zebra-dual...
Intrepid 4x5 camera mk2
Paterson 5x7” Developing Trays: amzn.to/3mzmFDr
Paterson 8x10” Developing Tray: amzn.to/3fI00TX
Fixer: Adofix Plus
Timer: Adox Labtime Mini
Thermometer: amzn.to/3urX4yG
📷 GEAR I USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO:
Canon M50 + Canon EF-m 15-45mm: amzn.to/3sT5QFC
Huawei P30 pro: amzn.to/3t7dcW0
🎶 MUSIC CREDITS:
Song 1:
- Artist Attribution
Music By: "KaizanBlu"
Track Name: "Deep"
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• TikTok - @kaizanblu vm.tiktok.com/aCYwfx/
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Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Music from Soundcloud
Music provided by RFM: • Video

[@daledanowski9962]

i really appreciate what your are doing cool stuff

[@alanma3864]

Great video!!! Thanks!!!!! cant wait to play with these plates!!!

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks 🤗

[@oudviola]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@taurian101_official]

Your videos have by far been much better than most on KZbin. The education you give is great and thanks. Keep making video’s please. Bryan

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks. I will ☺️

[@wayofthewheel3543]

Excellent

[@manfredgiraffe6592]

Wow 🤩. Very great video! Thanks a lot for upload. 👍👍

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks 🤗

[@charlesmookus8796]

Another great video. Thanks! Would love to see how you meter. Would also like to see common exposure errors and how they are corrected in developing the plates. Keep up the great work!

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks for the feedback Charles!

[@martin-f5482]

what a great idea and awesome technology, so well done and shown in this video

[@lostlightart6064]

Thank you 🤗

[@DesertRider999]

Excellent video as always Nejc, I am in the process of building my own dark room at this very moment so it's going to be a bit of time before I can try Zebra Dry Plates with my Intrepid 4 x 5 however, once I'm set up and get into the swing of developing I will be experimenting with them definitely. Keep up the brilliant work.

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks Steve I willl. We will keep in touch :)

[@mikethomas1073]

Love your videos. Full of energy and information. Looking forward to using this product in the spring for some Civil War reenactors. Could you tell me if I can buy just one film holder that will hold both your glass plates & tin plates? Have you ever experimented with staining the back of the glass plates black to show as a positive? I've discovered a few at antique shops that were painted black. Always look forward to your videos, I've watched many more than once. Thanks.

[@adventurefoto3359]

Great video.

[@lostlightart6064]

Thank you 😊

[@MrKermitt71]

Great video thanks ! What is your neon red safe light model ?

[@PinkhatPhotography]

Fantastic video!!! My plates are stuck in chicago still lol, they got them on the 15th, customs is taking their sweet time

[@lostlightart6064]

Yeah what can I say nothing unusual unfortunately :(

[@PinkhatPhotography]

@@lostlightart6064 yeah I've ordered enough film from Europe to know it's part for the course lol, I just hope they don't open the box hahahaha

[@neilfoddering921]

Thank you for a most interesting, instructive and helpful video. I’m completely new to dry plate photography, and I bought a box of your Zebra 9x12 plates earlier this month to try in one of my pre-war cameras. I don’t have access to a dark room, so I’ve bought a Stearman Press 8x10 Daylight Tray. From your video, it seems that developing your plates by observation is ideal for optimum results, so I feel that a completely closed process might not be so successful. Have you used an SP-8x10 for your plates, and if so, do you have any suggestions regarding technique for best results, please?

[@jclaytonphotography7352]

Just got my plates! Looking forward to using them. I don’t plan on using them for a few months. Should I store them in a refrigerator like I do with film or will they be ok in room temperature? Your passion for photography is inspiring! Keep it up and keep making great videos. I am super jealous of your darkroom.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey! Welcome to Zebra family! Yes I recommend you to store it like film in the fridge and they will last for at least a year if not years 😉

[@aldoyala80]

It's amazing the info you provide!!! Would know how do you exposure in case of portrait photo studio? What kind of lights, intensity can be used? Thanks for share you knowledge!

[@sglynnphoto]

I recently used about 6000 w/s of store at f5.6 and it was a nice bright image, I think you could use a little less like 4000 w/s with good placement

[@pyro_h_bunny]

Thanks for the video! I just ordered 30 plates from you! I do have a question; now that there has been a pause in the production of Kodak HC-110, any tips on using other developers? I got Ilford HC from my local supply store. I prefer developing with caffenol. Is this possible with dry plates?

[@leminhtri7869]

Video is very good. I like dry plate. But, i where buy is it? Picture dry plate is black and white ?

[@Federico84]

is the resolution of dry plates higher than normal negatives?

[@atapourhassan7442]

Great vidio, I needed this before ruining my dry plates. As for positive emulsion, where can they be bought?

[@lostlightart6064]

On my etsy shop it is linked in the description of the video. You can order plates in diferent sizes, holders, racks...

[@jasonlovi8745]

Will it work with monobath solution?

[@garthac]

Hi! Great video as usual! I would like to ask if the Zebra Dry Glass Plates Orthochromatic? Most modetn films today are Panchtomatic. I really like to simulate the old orthochromatic look of old black and white photos if the late 1800's to the early 1900's. Thank you in advance.

[@sneeuwwolf1176]

Must be orthochromatic.since they can be developed under a red safe light.

[@jpcgordon]

How would you meter for flash in a studio?

[@lhuhnphotography]

Did you make the video on metering for dry plates? I can’t find it if you made one.

[@silekiernanphotography]

Will your Zebra plates fit in the standard 4 x 5 film holders?

[@raulcasalsanchez1599]

PLEASE , works on my graflex glass plate holder ? its a old type wooden 4x5" for 2mm glass plate

[@reynaldocastaneda4712]

Nejc, have you tried direct positive process on your zebra plate? Thanks for the demo video!

[@lostlightart6064]

I did there is a video on the channel as well 😉

[@reynaldocastaneda4712]

@@lostlightart6064 Yes, Nejc. I think I've seen that one. but without the added chem in the process like the one I've seen in youtube on photopaper. Some use peroxide/citric acid and the other permanganate/bicarbonate combo. I am curious if this two additional step in the process would be effective in dryplates. Thanks in advance.

[@baudworxitsolution9677]

hi lost light i obught 3 boxwes of zebra, can i used strobe to zebra plates i cant find any video of portrait shoot with strobe in dryplates or zebra plates if possible what do you recommend wattage to use markus uses around 5000watts not sure on his wet plate

[@danem2215]

How much extra would it cost for custom size plates? I have a Zeiss Ikon which is 9x12cm, just slightly too small for 4x5.

[@amereminion]

What has your experience been shooting plates in extreme cold weather?

[@lostlightart6064]

Dry plates can be shoot in any weather at any temperatures ;) I often go and shoot in Slovenian Alps when temperatures can drop to - 20C 😉

[@mateopalaciovargas]

🔥🔥🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@mikayelpetrosyan548]

Hi, I am really new to this. Can you pleas tell me what fixer do you use, thank you. sorry if I you told this in your video, I may not heard that

[@lostlightart6064]

I use rapid fixer for about 5min or until all the milky areas are gone 😉

[@sergeyafanasiev3896]

When you scanning your dry plate, how you put it in the scanner? Emulsion down or up? I have developed it now and will dry it ))))

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Sergey. Emulsion down but its even better if you can make a mask that makes a tiny bit of seperation between scanner glass and the plate. This way you will get it into focus much better 😉

[@kennethdickinson2591]

Do you have any plans to offer sizes other than 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10? I use mainly 9x12 cm and 6.5x9 cm plate cameras.

[@lostlightart6064]

Sure I have coated many 9x12. I can make them any size you want it just takes a bit longer as I need to custom order the glass. You can contact me on [e-mail] to place the order 😊

[@j.c.m5168]

Any chance of getting 2.25x3.25 dryplates?

[@lostlightart6064]

Yes! Please visit www.zebradryplates.com and in the shop under dry plates you will find Custom dry plate option where you can order dry plates in any size you desire 😉

[@andyvan5692]

interesting holders, but am I right in saying they are standard double dark holders?, ie can this glass fit inside a normal 4x5" film holder. also maybe consider making some holders/plates for 5x7"?

[@lostlightart6064]

Hello Andy, No these are custom made plate holders that can fit two up to a 2mm thick plates. Because of that they are a bit thicker than standard film holders but all the other dimensions are following the standards. Yes 5x7 will become a part of Zebra line very soon hopefully by the end of this year :)

[@andyvan5692]

@@lostlightart6064 good to hear, and by the way there are a few vintage linhof 5x7" 's around without international backs, look like a gaffic back, BUT one solid metal edge on bottom, and a solid moving bar on top & the most noticable feature, the ground glass hinges down to accept film holders, Linhof super Technika iii I think?, so no "normal" holders will fit, it comes with single sheet metal holders, but if you are making holders, maybe consider making some for these, and some double dark ones for film too?, realy helps us out, as these are quite rare and hard to source.

[@andyvan5692]

@@lostlightart6064 good show, and if you are making "plate" holders, could you make film septums to run film or plates, with the same holders?

[@tim31415]

"Fits all 4x5 cameras with spring backs." You might want to make a holder for the Graflok Back. There are a lot of Graflex shooters out there.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Tim. Yeah Graflex are a bit bigger and with a groove on the sides am I right? This requires a modified design and a lot of additional work. Maybe some day :)

[@charlesmookus8796]

@@lostlightart6064 I believe that only one model of Graflock back has grooves. The more widely distributed ones do not. Your holders might work in them without being modified.

[@tim31415]

The standard film holders slide under the ground glass back and do not use the cleats for mounting. These are used for holding the roll film backs. Your holders would need to be thin enough to slide under the back.

[@PeterBak]

Nejc, do you think you could also reverse process … turning it in to a positief ? by bleaching out the negative image (see video of Ethan Moses) and expose again before you fix the plate ? He get’s really nice results with normal darkroom paper.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Peter, Yes I have a video about that on the channel as well 😊

[@nickfanzo]

Can you fit the plates in an normal enlarger ?

[@lostlightart6064]

Depends of the mask but usually yes ;)

[@kennethdickinson2591]

You mentioned Rodinal is too aggressive for the emulsion. What dilution did you test? Would 1:50 or 1:100 still be too aggressive?

[@lostlightart6064]

1:50 is to agressive acording to many folks that tried. I dont have an information on 1:100 unfortunately

[@kennethdickinson2591]

@@lostlightart6064 Thank you for your answer! I already have a bottle of Rodinal I'm using for sheet and roll film, so I may try out a 1:100 dilution on a dry plate to see how it goes.

[@lostlightart6064]

@@kennethdickinson2591 Cool. Please let me know about the reaults 😊

[@dr5chrome896]

Hello. I've been asked on several occasions to run these in dr5. Is it correct you say the general iso is 5 ? We would have to test this to offer to run them. Thanks, dw

[@lostlightart6064]

They are rated at ISO2 but speed can vary depending on the amount of UV light 😉

[@Brenby]

Any RGB LED light that can turn red would be safe for developing dry plates? I've got some LED smart bulbs that I can turn red and decrease the brightness substantially :)

[@Amoraz_Gräuze]

You take a cd or dvd , open your red led in dark room and you look the reflection of red light on cd or dvd : if there is just red : it is ok

[@1specialk8900]

I want to use to the SP-445 when you say modified what do you mean? or will the dry plates fit in there as is?

[@lostlightart6064]

No they wont as plates are 2mm thick which is much thicker than film. You need special adapters for the dry plates. Contact Jason Lane I think he is selling some in the US:)

[@1specialk8900]

@@lostlightart6064 can you inbox me his contact information? I don’t know him

[@sergeyafanasiev3896]

Have you tried hair dryer instead of waiting for 12 hours? Or it is not good for emulsion. I am doing such things for wet plate and this is work good.

[@lostlightart6064]

It does the job but not the best thing if you want to have a dustfree plate. By using a fan you cover the coated plate with all kinds of nasty particles 😉

[@dennisleavell2710]

Hi there, do you offer the Zebra plates in black glass? I also like to do star trail photography with my digital camera but would like to try it with Zebra plates. Do you think it's possible? Thanks

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Dennis, No not for now since black glass is very hard to find ;)

[@theoh3573]

Is your red light only normal LED stripes ? Or special dark room light ?

[@lostlightart6064]

RGB LEDs that can dim down substantially and have been trsted for fogging before instalation

[@sneeuwwolf1176]

Red led bicycle light also works fine.

[@mrpresident7121]

What kind of fixer you use?

[@lostlightart6064]

Rapid fix

[@loicraux8765]

Has anyone tried to get a positive dry plate by contact printing a digital negative under the UV light of a UV exposure unit ? If yes, I'd be interested in tips !

[@lostlightart6064]

I simply contact print it plate nagatove to a fresh plage using an enlarger. With UV box it would take very short time since plates are super sensitive to UV. Even with very dimmed light exposures would will not be longer then a second or two

[@NuttakitSuk]

Can I use Ilfotec HC instead of HC-110 at the same dev time?

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey, Probably I havent tried it myself. If you dk please inform me about dev. Times 😊

[@NuttakitSuk]

@@lostlightart6064 I will try.

[@thomas_dries]

What fixer are you using?

[@lostlightart6064]

Adofix

[@thomas_dries]

@@lostlightart6064 Thank you! 😊

[@rasheedmahi]

from i can i buy this ?

[@lostlightart6064]

From my etsy store:www.etsy.com/listing/832159911/zebra-4x5-dry-plates-10-hand-coated

[@tim31415]

Nipping (or just rounding) off one corner of the plate would be a much better way if identifying the emulsion side.

[@lostlightart6064]

Yeah I was thinking a lot about what to do so that it wouldn't result in additional cost and labour. This is an interesting idea thanks!

[@francoismassin8649]

Too much overhead for a very little advantage As you can see in the video, the way Nejc does the packaging has the emulsion side downface. The loading happens under red light, it's easy to see which side is prepared or not. (Unlike traditional sheet film where you're in the dark and have to rely on the notches)

[@tim31415]

Some folks don't use a safelight and a lot use a changing bag. Anyone used to handling film is accustomed to working in the dark. It's really almost no extra work to take a piece of sandpaper and round off one corner.

[@mateopalaciovargas]

Bro give me work please jejeje my dream work is chemical photography