[pure-silver] Re: Paper Scale Was Re: VC printing equipment
- From: "J.R. Stewart" <jrstewart@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 00:24:29 -0500
4. Can anyone recommend an especially long scale VC FB paper? I prefer
>> neutral tone. I typically print to a scale close to 1.8-2.0 today.
>
Ralph replied:
> Not sure what this means. Normal paper contrast is around 1.05. A grade 0
> is
> around 1.55!
I assess the range as the number of steps from just above max black (I to
II) to just barely detectable difference from paper base ( VIII 2/3 to IX).
If I read correctly how others do it, they measure the scale between Zone II
1/2 - Z VIII reflectance. So my measured scale could be as much as .6
exposure units longer, I guess. I orginally did this because I didn't want
to settle on a shorter scale paper and wind up underdeveloping my negatives
to that short scale.. in other words I wanted to ensure I had a long scale
on the negative to capture as much detail as possible and still be able to
print them well. I'm not sure a picture will tell you anything, but I've
posted an example at http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2984916 (no
manipulation except to bump up the contrast to match the original silver
print). I don't post many of my photos, and even this one has some scanning
defects, but this one shows the typical scale that I like. I'm trying for
good separation of the highlights, a lot of mid tones, and good separation
of the low values. I think if I compressed the scale any further, I would
begin losing one end or the other.
I'm wondering how much of this really matters, except for being able to
relate my results to the "standards." I develop my negative to avg grad of
.62, which gives me a longer scale, and I then need a long scale paper to
print them to.
Regards,
J.R. Stewart / Leesburg VA
----- Original Message -----
From: "DarkroomMagic" <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "PureSilverNew" <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 8:44 AM
Subject: [pure-silver] Re: VC printing equipment Was: Replacement
forBromofort paper;
> If I read between the lines correctly, you are somewhat hesitant to test.
> I
> suggest to overcome this hesitation. It is my experience that these tests
> take less time then people expect and contain the opportunity to learn and
> turn trial-and-error into experience and knowledge. Nevertheless, here is
> my
> opinion about some of your questions.
>
>> 1. I use a Thomas Safelight now and with fixed grade papers I don't have
>> to
>> worry about fog... should I worry about VC papers under a Thomas?
>
> The Thomas Safelight has adjustable baffles, changing the light output
> dramatically. No safelight is really safe and all need to be tested. The
> result of the test is not, if it is safe or not, it will give you a time
> for
> which it is safe enough. Test! Would you like a copy of the test
> procedure?
>
>> 2. I know I can test, but can anyone give me a hint on which filtration
>> will
>> best match what I have today in my cold lite lamp? Is that 0Y/0M?
>
> No filtration will be close to a grade 2, but a test will reveal of paper
> grades possible with this head. Many paper manufacturers give starting
> points for their papers. If you don't want to test, start with 30Y/30M and
> dial in more yellow to go softer and more magenta to go harder. The
> benefit
> of the test is that you can maintain highlight consistency when changing
> paper contrast. Would you like a copy of the test procedure?
>
>> 3. Are VC papers as sensitive to different developers as fixed graded
>> papers? I use Ansco 130 (softest), Ansco 120 (normal), and Beers for
>> added
>> hardness. Again, I know I can calibrate my new Dichro for each
>> paper:developer combination, but should I expect to need to?
>
> I don't know the answer to this, because I only use one paper developer
> (Dektol). I am about to try Neutol soon, because Dektol is increasingly
> difficult to get over here in Europe. Changing contrast with a color head
> is
> easy enough. I see little need for multiple developers.
>
>> 4. Can anyone recommend an especially long scale VC FB paper? I prefer
>> neutral tone. I typically print to a scale close to 1.8-2.0 today.
>
> Not sure what this means. Normal paper contrast is around 1.05. A grade 0
> is
> around 1.55!
>
> Good luck with your color head. I think they are great for VC printing.
>
>
>
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Ralph W. Lambrecht
>
>
>
>
> On 12/24/04 1:39 PM, "J.R. Stewart" <jrstewart@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Well, after a round of several prints that I had to fight to get to the
>> right contrast using my cold lite head and fixed grade paper and
>> adjusting
>> developer and development time, I decided to try VC. In January, I'll
>> take
>> ownership of a Super Chromega Dichro II head to put on my D2. It cost me
>> about the same as converting my non-VC lamp to a V54 lamp.
>>
>> Some things I should have thought about before:
>>
>> 1. I use a Thomas Safelight now and with fixed grade papers I don't have
>> to
>> worry about fog... should I worry about VC papers under a Thomas?
>>
>> 2. I know I can test, but can anyone give me a hint on which filtration
>> will
>> best match what I have today in my cold lite lamp? Is that 0Y/0M?
>>
>> 3. Are VC papers as sensitive to different developers as fixed graded
>> papers? I use Ansco 130 (softest), Ansco 120 (normal), and Beers for
>> added
>> hardness. Again, I know I can calibrate my new Dichro for each
>> paper:developer combination, but should I expect to need to?
>>
>> 4. Can anyone recommend an especially long scale VC FB paper? I prefer
>> neutral tone. I typically print to a scale close to 1.8-2.0 today.
>>
>> Thanks for any advice!
>>
>> Happy holidays, everyone.
>>
>> J.R. Stewart / Leesburg VA
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "J. Stewart" <jrstewart@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 9:23 AM
>> Subject: VC printing equipment Was: Replacement for Bromofort paper;
>>
>>
>>> I've been wondering lately whether I ought to go the route of converting
>>> to
>>> variable contrast. I used VC years ago, using filters (not a color
>>> head).
>>> I'm a bit reluctant to return.. the quality in those days wasn't near
>>> the
>>> quality of graded papers. Has that changed in the last 10 years or so?
>>> ....
>>> I know a lot of really good photographers are using VC. Plus, I think
>>> I'd
>>> like the ability to do split grade printing, and I sometimes like softer
>>> papers than anyone can get in a graded form.
>>>
>>> I have a 4x5 D2 with cold lite head as my main enlarger.. standard light
>>> source (i.e., not the VC). Would it be a major investment to equip
>>> myself
>>> with the gear to use VC?
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: <XRadar@xxxxxxx>
>>> To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 8:04 AM
>>> Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Replacement for Bromofort paper
>>>
>>>
>>>> In a message dated 9/17/04 10:09:12 PM Central Daylight Time,
>>>> jrstewart@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>>>>> Can anyone recommend a close replacement for Bromofort graded fiber
>>>>> base
>>>>> paper?
>>>>
>>>> Have you tried Bergger graded paper? Not much choice for graded.
>>>> Ilford
>>>> Gallerie, Oriental Seagull and the Bergger for cold tone. Probably
>>>> some
>>> that I
>>>> haven't seen. Guess I'm contributing to the decline as I'm using
>>>> mostly
>>> VC
>>>> now. Just so much easier and easy to keep fresh supply. But still
>>>> have
>>>> a
>>> lot of
>>>> the old Seagull #1 in the freezer for the right image.
>>>> Chuck
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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