Anybody found premade frames for 1.5 aspect ratio?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

11/17/2009 01:57:45 PM · #1

Am I the only one that gets frustrated that frame makers have not caught up to the idea that dSLR cameras have a 1:1.5 aspect ratio? Has anybody found good, cheap, premade frames in sizes like 8x12 or 12x18?

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/17/2009 02:01:56 PM · #2

I hear ya, my only success has been either using oversized frames or custom frames... :(

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/17/2009 02:31:20 PM · #3

It's not just Digital SLR's...35mm film cameras have had exactly the same aspect ratio for half a century or so.

Besides, if you mat the image correctly, the aspect ratio of the frame will no longer be 2:3.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/17/2009 02:36:04 PM · #4

I get 12x16 frames for my 8x12 prints then get a 4 inch mat.

frames are around $17, mats are like $4.

Google is your friend in all of this, just search for 8x12 frame. Amazon is a great place for those types of frames too.

I haven't printed an 8x10 in about 3 years because they just suck.

11/17/2009 02:49:07 PM · #5

What's your definition of cheap?

I frame 10x15's in a custom specified metal frame for around $30 at American Frame, including a Matte and antiglare acrylic.

Another option, which I've also done, is to faux matte them using a PS action to 11x14. Then they can be framed using an off-the-shelf 11x14 frame--a pretty nice one for around $12.

You can either just flat border them or faux (3D) matte them using Sharon's mattes action for example.

So far, this is the one I printed with the faux (3D) matte (though I've printed quite a few with just the white border/matte). And with a black border, you can't tell that it's not a real matte except by looking real close and moving it.

That one may not actually be 3:2, looking at it, but here's an example I did recently in both faux matte and bordered style (just sent that one off to the printer actually for my sample book):

Message edited by author 2009-11-17 14:51:16.

11/17/2009 02:55:47 PM · #6

Thanks Neil. I use American Frame for all my stuff currently. What I'm really looking for is for the customer that feels they cannot afford a framed copy and just want a print. I want to be able to tell them, "go to XXX and pick up a frame there." So having to cut a customized mat for an oversized frame like a few have suggested doesn't help in this scenario.

You know Spaz, I sorta figured it should be the same as 35mm film, but I got led astray by two things. 1) Wiki talked about a 1:1.33 aspect ratio on their 35mm film page (could be film for motion pictures) and 2) if the aspect ratio has been this way forever, I can't believe that nobody looking to make a standard frame has supposed that there may be pictures out there you don't want to crop. Confirming this is the way it's been forever just makes me that much more frustrated.

11/17/2009 03:30:55 PM · #7

Internet search turns up this for 8x12

//www.pfile.com/prod_detail_list/8x12-Picture-Frames

And here are some nice 10x15's:

//www.gnpframe.com/Product.aspx?Id_ProductCategory=1

But why would you want to frame without a matte?

ETA: Whoa, those GNP frames are ready made but not particularly cheap!

Message edited by author 2009-11-17 16:00:19.

11/17/2009 04:11:09 PM · #8

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Ya, I wouldn't personally want to do it without a mat, but there don't seem to be any precut mats to that aspect ratio. Like I said, I'm trying to find a solution for friends who want a print, but want to do it about as cheaply as they can. My preference is for a double mat with lots of extra room, but that doesn't make things cheap. My Oregon Ducks picture is getting tons of interest and I can't print them fast enough, but I do get friends who's eyes sorta bulge out when I tell them a 16x24 framed to a 22x30 is $200. Really you and I know that's a decent price, but not everybody knows how friggin expensive framing is.

11/17/2009 04:56:59 PM · #9

I didn't realize you were looking for BIG frames! I don't know your Oregon Ducks picture (is that here on the site?), but depending on the type of picture, you could print it on a Canvas Wrap, or a 3/4" standout. Both would be much cheaper than framing, and in most cases, would look better.

Join Canvas on demand pro (see the thread around here for a free canvas promotion if it's still valid) and you get the second through nth copy of a canvas for 1/2 price. Solves your problem with too many orders.

Or go with WHCC for the standouts...again, you need to apply for an account, but the shipping is free to your "studio", and their prices and quality are great.

I am not putting prices here because they are "wholesale" and they may not want them published. But I can send them by PM if you want a preview.

11/17/2009 06:52:50 PM · #10

Thanks again, Neil. I am a canvasondemand pro already. :) You keep coming up with good suggestions. I'm not familiar with WHCC.

11/17/2009 07:12:04 PM · #11

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Thanks again, Neil. I am a canvasondemand pro already. :) You keep coming up with good suggestions. I'm not familiar with WHCC.

Oops, read this after I replied to your PM...so ignore the part on COD!

WHCC is here: //www.whcc.com/

Message edited by author 2009-11-17 19:26:44.

11/23/2009 10:04:40 PM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Thanks Neil. I use American Frame for all my stuff currently.

I think I jinxed myself. I got a miscut mat in my last order. We'll see what their customer service is like tomorrow.

FireBird

11/23/2009 11:10:13 PM · #13

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Warehouse Frames

Custom sizes made to order, with quantity discounts in as low as 10 ea quantities. I like the metal frames they carry with MANY different colors and cross sections.

Might get some mats here,

Those places are where I get my hundreds of frames that I use to frame the images I purloin off DPC.

:)

Oh, BTW you can probably get cheaper mats locally to you. The metal frames, once you figure out how to use the online calculator, are pretty cheap IMO. Especially with the discount for 10.

Almost forgot, if you search the Mat site you'll find some neat online tutorials on how to do mats so they won't damage the print.

Message edited by author 2009-11-23 23:16:36.

11/23/2009 11:45:53 PM · #14

Sorry to hear that Jason--I've never had a problem with anything from them yet, so I have not had to try customer service.

Let us know how it works out!

12/21/2009 12:46:45 PM · #15

Does anybody have a link to download the action Neil was talking about which created a mock mat border?

12/21/2009 12:49:42 PM · #16

Neil does ;)

Here

I use Sharon's matte actions, at the end of the list. There may be other good ones there, of course.