How to print graded paper w/ multigrade head

[stalker]

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Hi,

 

I am new to darkroom practice. I have a multigrade head and i want to expose graded paper. How do I set the contrast on the head for grade 3 fiber paper.

 

Thank you.

[Finnkare]

If there's the color dials, you'll most likely find the adjustments in the paper box, below the plastic bag that has the papers in it. Maybe also from the manufacturer's website.

 

If you need to use some kind of filters (i.e. if there's no color head in the enlarger), it's simpler. They have the corresponding numbers on the corner.

[giordano]

If I remember correctly, the colour of the light will make no or negligible difference to the tonality of non-multigrade B&W paper but can affect the exposure. Set the multigrade head so there are no filters in the light path, or if that's not possible set the dials to neutral.

[tgray]

It might affect paper speed if you dial in a heavy low grade on the head (I think), because you might be blocking some of the blue light that the paper is sensitive to. But it shouldn't affect the contrast at all. Just pull the filter out all the way so the enlarger is just outputting white light. There should be a way to do that. Probably a focusing lever will disengage the filter so you just have white light. If you can't do that, put it on grade 2 and just go with it.

[Guest aurora_borealis]

(...) How do I set the contrast on the head for grade 3 fiber paper (...)

 

Turn the filters to neutral or 0. Expose the paper.

 

In this case you change the contrast and look of your print by changing the dillution of your paper developer. Or by using different developers for your prints. Experiment, experiment. Paper developers are a world of fun.

 

Good luck

[Finnkare]

Uh, this seems to be a lesson for me in reading comprehension... I thought you were talking about multigraded paper.

 

Yes, these fine fellows are right, the color of the light shouldn't affect the contrast. That's why it's called graded paper, not multigraded.

[odd]

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Hi;

Which enlarger do you use?

This is not so complicated. Its the yellow and magenta filter that controls the contrast.

If you use only yellow, you get grade 00 and if you use only magenta you get grade 5.

It’s the same principle on all enlargers, but it’s a little bit different for some types of them.

 

Start to read the information I linked from Ilford.

 

http://ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006130201152306.pdf

 

 

And if you tell us which enlarger you use, and I’ll tell you hove to get grade 3. 

 

Mvh

OMU

[tobey bilek]

Use the white light lever to get NO FILTERS. or zero yellow, 0 magenta, and 0 cyan.

 

Use 30 CC each of CMY to dim the light 1 stop, 60 each for two stops

[stalker]

Thank you for your kind replies.

 

I use a Kaiser Multigrade enlarger. If understand right I should set the filter index to 0 on the head to print any graded paper. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Finnkare]

Thank you for your kind replies.

 

I use a Kaiser Multigrade enlarger. If understand right I should set the filter index to 0 on the head to print any graded paper. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

That should be the safest choice, and also the wisest, unless you have trouble stopping down enough (but not too much). Then you can reduce the light by doing what tobey bilek said.

[tgray]

Does it have a color or multigrade head? If color, turn all the dials to 0, which pulls all the filters out and gives you white light.

 

If multigrade, turn the dial to 2 or better yet, slot the filters out using the white light focusing lever. It's on the right side of the head according to the manual (#40). I don't know if that also slots out the variable ND filter on those heads, which you might want to use. Turning it to 0 does not pull all the filters out on a multigrade head.

 

I say put it on grade 2 on a multigrade head because graded paper is sensitive to only blue light (more or less), unlike VC paper, which is sensitive to a broader range. VC paper works by changing the ratio of blue and green light during exposure, which is what VC filters do. By setting the head to grade 0, you are at one end of that ratio of light, which could make your exposures longer.

[Guest aurora_borealis]

(...) Its the yellow and magenta filter that controls the contrast.(...)

 

You are referring to MULTIGRADE paper I assume. With graded paper (for example Ilford Galerie FB) you do not use the filters at all. It is the paper and the paper developer that creates to contrast and look.

 

... Or maybe I don't understand the original question.