Photography News Issue 64

Photography News | Issue 64 | photographynews.co.uk

First tests

Imaging kit First tests We get our hands on the latest kit and share our first impressions – so you know whether or not to add it to your wish list

Reviews by Will Cheung

RotatrimProfessional M20 £222

Specs

Price

£222 Max cutting length 20in, 510mm Cut capacity 3mm Suitable for

Inkjet prints, mountboard, canvas, card, digital prints, photo film, paper, transparencies, self-adhesive film andmuchmore Paper size guide A3+ landscape Twoway cut User optional Dimensions 68x39x8cm Weight 7.5kg Contact rotatrim.com

Images The trimmer is set for a square cut when you get it, and did a good job cutting through both inkjet prints and mountboard. I was pleased with the results, which looked as if they could have been machine cut

Rotatrim rotary trimmers have been delivering sterling service in offices, schools and workplaces for over 50 years. This English brand – it still makes its products in England – is synonymous with trimmers and if you want a product built to perform to exacting standards and withstand regular use, look no further because Rotatrim has a product range to suit users and budgets of all levels. The Professional M20 is a new addition to the range, designed to cut a wide range of materials up to 3mm thick, so it can cope with mountboard and its 20in cut makes it perfect for working with A3+ (19x13in) prints. A trimmer is probably not at the top of every photographer’s shopping list (certainly not if you never print!) but if you do make and mount prints, it’s an invaluable and even indispensable tool that saves time and potentially

are ready, make your cut in a smooth motionbefore returning the carriage to its starting point. The default cutting method is one way, but theM20 can be user-modified for a two-way cut. The trimmer leaves the factory set for a square cut and I was getting a square cut from the beginning, which was reassuring. Over time, that can change and details on the website showwhat to do to square things up. With inkjet prints, the trimmer cut through really smoothly, minimal effort was needed and cut edges were clean. With mountboard obviously more effort was needed, but again the cut was clean without any tiny remnants left on the trimmed edge. An actual test for this trimmer was when I needed a bunch of A5 size prints quickly, but only had A3 paper on hand. For speed, I printed four images on each A3 sheet and cut them

fingers. Many will make do with a straight edge and a craft knife, but that is very dangerous and not a method PN would advocate. Not only that but a bad cut means a waste of time and money. A bad cut (or cut fingers!) is something you won’t get with the M20. It features a Sheffield steel self- sharpening precision blade that runs very smoothly on twin chrome steel rails. I tested the trimmer with a range of inkjet media from gloss and baryta types to matt and canvas, and also standard 2mmmountboard. The user guide advises the trimmer is placed on a flat work surface and lengthways on, with the twin rails furthest away from you so you are cutting right to left. To use, slide the cutting carriage to the right, position your work using the rule or the grid to help, hold it in place and when you

Verdict

Make andmount prints and you need a top-class trimmer like the M20; and given its build quality it’s a truly worthwhile long-term investment. Not only will the M20 save you time and, quite possibly your fingers too, it is a pleasure to use and cut quality is excellent.

Pros Exemplary build quality, precision cut Cons Nothing

Above An underside view of the cutting carriage reveals the Sheffield steel blade. Each trimmer has a five-year manufacturing warranty and a lifetime labour-free servicing guarantee. Spare parts are available, too

to size afterwards. I ended up with a neat stack of prints that looked like they could have been machine cut. I think that speaks volumes for the trimmer’s skills. WC