[pure-silver] Re: No More Below the Lens Polymax Filter Kits?
- From: Tim Daneliuk <tundra@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:39:49 -0600
Steven Kershaw wrote:
> John,
>
> I too have been looking at ZONE VI enlargers. Care to share your "reasons"
> for not recommending them with me as well? You can do so off list, my email
> is listed below
>
> Thanks
>
> Steven
> stevendidit@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have used a ZoneVI VC head on my ancient push-up Omega D2 for years.
(I bought mine within a few years of the head being introduced.)
I am *very* happy with this head and have printed some beautiful
stuff with it. That said, some observations are in order:
1) It does have fairly low light output. At most magnifications
this isn't a big deal. I like plenty of time to dodge and burn
while I split print anyway. However, at high magnifications and
especially with slow papers, you can start to get into paper
reciprocity failure. I have some 16x20s that take up to 100sec
of exposure for part of the printing recipe. It doesn't
happen that often that I consider it much of a burden. Moreover,
I use top of the line Schneider enlarging lenses that are tack
sharp even at f/8 ot f/5.6 so I overcome some this by opening
up the lens.
2) The head output does vary as it warms up. For this reason, I turn it
on 30-45 min before I want to use it and check the light output with
a Luna-Pro on the easel as I go. Once warmed up, the head does not
appear to drift appreciably.
3) There is a plug in the head to take the ZVI compensating time that
measures actual light output and compensates for it.
Is it the best head known to mankind? I have no idea. I have learned
the quirks of this head and gotten really good results and it has
served me faithfully for the better part of a decade now. It is -
pardon the expression - light years better than anything Adams,
Weston, Aget, Brassai, et al had at their disposal and they managed to
make a good print or two. IOW - IMHO - buy the tool you can
get/afford, learn to use it until you have mastery over the device and
don't worry about equipment as much as printmaking. YMMV.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of john stockdale
> Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 3:42 AM
> To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [pure-silver] Re: No More Below the Lens Polymax Filter Kits?
>
> Eric, I have a Zone VI VC head that I don't want, but I wouldn't
> recommend it for various reasons. I can give you details if you're
> interested.
> Regards, John
>
> =====================
> Eric Nelson wrote:
>> Thanks John I'm already on the lookout and have added aristo and zone
>> vi to my saved searches on ebay. I'll have a chat w/Kodak tomorrow
>> and see what the story is on the filters.
>> Eric
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *From:* john stockdale <j.sto@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>> *To:* pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:59:18 PM
>> *Subject:* [pure-silver] Re: No More Below the Lens Polymax Filter Kits?
>>
>> The Aristo VCL4500 with an RH Designs Stop Clock Vario is a sweet, if
>> expensive, solution.
>>
>> John
>>
>> Eric Nelson wrote:
>>> Man, and the list here was just touching on this subject recently
>> too. So I did my online searches and have come up empty handed from
>> Freestyle to Adorama to B&H to ebay.
>>> Now /that's/ sad. At least the filters are still available and I
>> can cut them down for the holders which I still have. Ilford's
>> filters stink as I've been using them a month or so. The contrast
>> jumps dramatically between 1/2 grades and exposure is nowhere near
>> similar from one filter to the next using /*their*/ frakkin' paper.
>> Maybe I just "owe myself" a VC head and be done with it.
>>> Sigh.
>>>
>>
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