Jump to content

Anyone using the new Heiland Splitgrade LED Cold Light System for Leitz V35


Guest gamincurieux

Recommended Posts

Guest gamincurieux

Ah, well, you know, was hoping to get some general thoughts on it from a user. I'm seriously considering it.

 

I use that LED Splitgrade module for round about 1 year, what would you like to know? In advance I'm not a number cruncher or 1/16 aperture pedant.

 

Regards

Markus

Link to post
Share on other sites

I also think the Heiland Splitgrade system looks very interesting. Erwin Puts speaks well of it, and he seems credible.

 

There is also a group in the UK called RHDesigns Home. They do units that do the same thing as the Heiland, and they also look very interesting, although they appear to be more manual and maybe cheaper (at least for my Focomat 1c). Seem you measure the brightest highlights and deepest shadows and the system indicates the exposure using the low contrast and high contrast filters. There may be a little more possibility for control this way than with the Heiland, but that is not completelly clear.

 

With any of these systems, it is not clear to me how burning, dodging, edge burning etc are done. But I do like the idea of a "perfect" basic exposure to start with.

Edited by Michael Hiles
Link to post
Share on other sites

This afternoon I looked more closely at the RHDesign product called the Analyzer Pro. Their site has some videos and excellent explanations as to how these units work, what they do and how to do it. It all looks very interesting, and most of my questions were satisfactorily answered. If it all works as advertised, the Analyzer Pro looks like a very good product from my perspective. Could be a powerful tool when used with skill and an artistic eye.

Edited by Michael Hiles
Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest gamincurieux

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I probably should've mentioned that I already have/use the Analyser Pro.... I think I'd like to give the Heiland Splitgrade a try in the hope that it might get me something out of my negs that has remained elusive to me thus far (doing splitgrade printing manually... that is to say the splitgrade method itself, not the device... seems like a pain in the arse to me, I'm after a bit of automation here), and if satisfied I'll sell the Analyser Pro to offset the change-over costs. Sure, the Analyser Pro does away with the test strips/prints, but beyond that I don't get a lot of joy out of it. I'm also hopeful that the Heiland LED unit will be an advancement on the V35 light source... certainly means I won't have to worry about bulbs for it anymore.

 

This afternoon I looked more closely at the RHDesign product called the Analyzer Pro. Their site has some videos and excellent explanations as to how these units work, what they do and how to do it. It all looks very interesting, and most of my questions were satisfactorily answered. If it all works as advertised, the Analyzer Pro looks like a very good product from my perspective. Could be a powerful tool when used with skill and an artistic eye.
Link to post
Share on other sites

I probably should've mentioned that I already have/use the Analyser Pro.... I think I'd like to give the Heiland Splitgrade a try in the hope that it might get me something out of my negs that has remained elusive to me thus far (doing splitgrade printing manually... that is to say the splitgrade method itself, not the device... seems like a pain in the arse to me, I'm after a bit of automation here), and if satisfied I'll sell the Analyser Pro to offset the change-over costs. Sure, the Analyser Pro does away with the test strips/prints, but beyond that I don't get a lot of joy out of it. I'm also hopeful that the Heiland LED unit will be an advancement on the V35 light source... certainly means I won't have to worry about bulbs for it anymore.

 

Using the splitgrade method without the mechanization of the Heiland system seems like like a bigtime headache. Two exposures is simple enough, but how do you deal with dodging, burning, edge burning etc. And without some measurement method the "test strip" process sounds like a nightmare. The advantage of approximately infinite grades seems like a very small advantage compared with the cost of aspirins and time to make it all work without some automation and calibration.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok some general thoughts to Heiland LED light source for V35 respectively in comparison to old Heiland Splitgrad module for V35 (75W bulb):

 

Installation

-) very easy to install: remove bulb, socket an dold module, then connect the original plug to new connector and slide the module in place. Please take care of touching LEDs, they are not protected anyway. Update splitgrade controller at least to firmware 2.7B and choose "Heiland LED-Coldl" as module. For me it was necassary to update flash prom in comfort console, because it was one of the first ones. So I had to send console to Heiland for Hardware upgrade, free of charge (!).

 

Differences

-) More light. In fact you can close aperture at least one stop. I'm not sure if this is an advantage or disadvantage. For large image size it reduces exposure times, but for my standard format 18*24cm (7*9,5inch) PE, closing aperture to 8 or 11 is mandatory. I'm not sure if this aperture is behind optimum.

 

-) Redlight function. Short pressing "lightbulb" button flash up red-light, long pressure starts exposure. Very comfortable IMHO

 

-) Noise: there are no mechanical parts inside module with exception to an small fan which starts rotation every time you switch on LED-lights. Its not annoying, but rather a signal

 

Summary

Its not a "must have" but a really nice part working very well for me. Its a pleasure to get in touch with Heiland support.

 

Regards

Markus

 

PS: I plan to upgrade my 6x9 enlarger to Heiland cold light too

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest gamincurieux

Thanks Markus... having to close the aperture another stop is a slight concern perhaps, but I'd like to try it. An expensive little venture, sure, but the losing device can be sold to offset the cost a little. Could even just get the unit that uses the Philips lamp, rather than LED unit, a bit cheaper.... will think about it over a drink ;)

 

Ok some general thoughts to Heiland LED light source for V35 respectively in comparison to old Heiland Splitgrad module for V35 (75W bulb):

 

Installation

-) very easy to install: remove bulb, socket an dold module, then connect the original plug to new connector and slide the module in place. Please take care of touching LEDs, they are not protected anyway. Update splitgrade controller at least to firmware 2.7B and choose "Heiland LED-Coldl" as module. For me it was necassary to update flash prom in comfort console, because it was one of the first ones. So I had to send console to Heiland for Hardware upgrade, free of charge (!).

 

Differences

-) More light. In fact you can close aperture at least one stop. I'm not sure if this is an advantage or disadvantage. For large image size it reduces exposure times, but for my standard format 18*24cm (7*9,5inch) PE, closing aperture to 8 or 11 is mandatory. I'm not sure if this aperture is behind optimum.

 

-) Redlight function. Short pressing "lightbulb" button flash up red-light, long pressure starts exposure. Very comfortable IMHO

 

-) Noise: there are no mechanical parts inside module with exception to an small fan which starts rotation every time you switch on LED-lights. Its not annoying, but rather a signal

 

Summary

Its not a "must have" but a really nice part working very well for me. Its a pleasure to get in touch with Heiland support.

 

Regards

Markus

 

PS: I plan to upgrade my 6x9 enlarger to Heiland cold light too

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...