[pure-silver] Re: VC printing equipment Was: Replacement for Bromofort paper;
- From: DarkroomMagic <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: PureSilverNew <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2004 14:44:34 +0100
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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