Modernising a Johnson’s Exactum Contact Printer

Can a 1950s contact printer still earn a place in a modern darkroom? In this video I take a vintage Johnson’s Exactum Contact Printer and upgrade it for modern darkroom use. Follow the decision-making process as I explore different options, make modifications, and test the results to create a more practical and consistent contact printing setup. The printer is upgraded with a Perspex contact surface and an LED light source, then tested using both black and white negatives and paper negatives. Along the way I evaluate exposure, contrast and print quality, making adjustments as needed to get the best results. The Johnson’s Exactum is particularly well suited to paper negatives, pinhole photography and other alternative photographic processes. It also pairs beautifully with the new Alfie Cameras [BOXX], making it easy to produce contact prints directly from paper negatives. Interested in the ‪@alfiecameras9480‬ [BOXX]? Find out more and support the Kickstarter: https://alfiecameras.com/live-the-box... An interesting development comes from Dave Walker, who has begun experimenting with programmable RGB lighting and a Johnson’s Exactum printer as part of an exploration into colour contact printing. Read about his experiments here: https://thepossibilitorium.substack.c... If you enjoyed the video, please like, subscribe and leave a comment. It really helps the channel and supports future analogue photography content. #AnaloguePhotography #Darkroom #ContactPrinting #PaperNegative #PinholePhotography #LargeFormatPhotography #AlfieCameras #BOXX #VintageCamera #BlackAndWhitePhotography