Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33641 Posted June 4, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Guys I've just made my first 8x10 contact print. I had some challenges along the way and wondered if anyone here can help me understand what happened. The finished contact print looks amazing but to get it amazing I went from a 20 second with #3 filter plus 15 seconds with #5 filter. That print looked muddy ...............to a 2 minutes 15 seconds with my #4 filter and that looks so amazing :) :) one happy guy Amazing but why such a difference??? In exposure time ? Everything else was equal. 2 mins in the devoloper 1 min in stop and 2 minutes in the fixer. Then wash Any help would be much appreciated. I can't post the picture as it's drying but I will for sure post it tomorrow Neil 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 4, 2017 Posted June 4, 2017 Hi Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS, Take a look here I like film...(open thread). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Michael Hiles Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33642 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) My approach (there are other valid approaches, maybe some better) would be to make a test with a 0 filter looking and assessing only at the highlights. Ignore the shadows – they will come later – and get the best time to retain some detail in your highlights. If you have two exposures that look good, lean towards the lighter one. Lets say it is 20 sec. Next make a test for the contrast/shadows. Put your test paper in the easel, and expose through the 0 filter for 20 sec. Then makes exposures at various times through the 5 filter. Develop and see which time gives you best shadow detail, rich blacks and contrast. Lets say 42 sec. My experience is that the 5 filter exposure is usually much longer than the 0 filter exposure. Make notes and save your tests, at least until you are satisfied. Then make a full working print with 1) 20 sec through the 0 filter and 2) 42 sec through the 5 filter. If you are still not rip-your-clothes-off ecstatic, you could increase contrast by reducing the 0 filter time and increasing the 5 filter time – try 10%. Or you could change the 0 filter for a .5 or 1 or 1.5 filter (probably the same 20 sec time). Decrease contrast by increasing the 0 filter time, and reducing the 5 filter time. This is now in the realm of organized play. Make careful notes so you learn something permanent. This approach builds knowledge step by step, saves time and paper, and will generate a pretty good print. Apropos developing of the print – as a basic rule of thumb, note the time for the image to emerge in the developer, and keep the print in the developer for 10x that time. So if the image emerges in 15 sec, develop for 150 sec (i.e. 2.5 minutes). My experience is that the common advice of 2 minutes is not enough to produce the maximum black the paper will give (normally one of my requirements). Edited June 4, 2017 by Michael Hiles 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33643 Posted June 4, 2017 Great color and nice picture Adam . The color is a bit different of Ektar IMO. Henry Thanks, Henry. I agree - this photo seems to me to have a classic Portra 160 look with its pastels 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrism Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33644 Posted June 4, 2017 Guys I've just made my first 8x10 contact print. I had some challenges along the way and wondered if anyone here can help me understand what happened. The finished contact print looks amazing but to get it amazing I went from a 20 second with #3 filter plus 15 seconds with #5 filter. That print looked muddy ...............to a 2 minutes 15 seconds with my #4 filter and that looks so amazing :) :) one happy guy Amazing but why such a difference??? In exposure time ? Everything else was equal. 2 mins in the devoloper 1 min in stop and 2 minutes in the fixer. Then wash Any help would be much appreciated. I can't post the picture as it's drying but I will for sure post it tomorrow Neil Neil, If you want to get into split grade printing (and after all, why wouldn't you?) this is the link you need to read before starting. There's one other thing you need to know, and that is that the darkroom gods don't smile on people who still use digital cameras...... Chris 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christoph_d Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33645 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) ...There's one other thing you need to know, and that is that the darkroom gods don't smile on people who still use digital cameras...... Chris Chris, you might want to add that it helps to sacrifice copious amounts of baryt paper and time to please those darkroom gods ... Edited June 4, 2017 by christoph_d 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33646 Posted June 4, 2017 Chris, you might want to add that it helps to sacrifice copious amounts of baryt paper and time to please those darkroom gods ... ...and that in order to make the sacrifices frequent, but small, use strips of paper to do the tests, not full sheets. Find an area of the image that provides the full range of shadows, highlights, and detail, and make all of your tests in that area. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33647 Posted June 4, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...and that in order to make the sacrifices frequent, but small, use strips of paper to do the tests, not full sheets. Find an area of the image that provides the full range of shadows, highlights, and detail, and make all of your tests in that area. and make sure not to crop out the vase next time... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share #33648 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) Neil , in addition to what Chris said , why not use multigrade paper. Before I used 3 grades hard,medium ,softI have a meter that allows me to select the grade according to the negative contrast or not , under exposed or superexposed etc ... In example for superexposed (or toomuch contrast) negative I use soft grade, Now I use multigrade paper , it's more simple . I use mainly Ilford photographic paper Multigrade IV RC DE LUXE Bright For Chris's comment , look at this post I wrote to Neil : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/273080-big-day-today-in-getting-my-darkroom-finished/?p=3288502 What a pleasure to print his own photos, instead of spending time in front of a computer, with its photo software Best Henry I think you know these links but I post for memory and for those interested https://www.ilfordphoto.com/exposure-testing/ https://www.ilfordphoto.com/beginners-guide-darkrooms/ http://www.darkroomdave.com/tutorial/making-your-first-black-and-white-print/ http://www.davebutcher.co.uk/equipment/darkroom https://www.lomography.com/magazine/65644-b-and-w-darkroom-paper-bible Edited June 4, 2017 by Doc Henry 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33649 Posted June 4, 2017 More flowers. Flickr 80 Planar Provia 400X (expired as usual) 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33650 Posted June 4, 2017 Neil , in addition to what Chris said , why not use multigrade paper. Before I used 3 grades hard,medium ,soft I have a meter that allows me to select the grade according to the negative contrast or not , under exposed or superexposed etc ... Now I use multigrade paper it's more simple For Chris's comment , look at this post I wrote to Neil : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/273080-big-day-today-in-getting-my-darkroom-finished/?p=3288502 What a pleasure to print his own photos, instead of spending time in front of a computer, with its photo software Best Henry I think you know these links but I post for memory and for those interested https://www.ilfordphoto.com/exposure-testing/ https://www.ilfordphoto.com/beginners-guide-darkrooms/ http://www.darkroomdave.com/tutorial/making-your-first-black-and-white-print/ http://www.davebutcher.co.uk/equipment/darkroom https://www.lomography.com/magazine/65644-b-and-w-darkroom-paper-bible I use mainly Ilford photographic paper Multigrade IV RC DE LUXE Bright Morning Henry That is what I bought. I got one box of Ilford RC mulitygrad pearl paper (100 sheets I think). My plan is to stick to that until I am more competent in the darkroom (Friday :) ) And then only try new stuff. Surprisingly enough my Chamois and one lens is lighter that the Leica S plus 3 lenses.....and a hell of a lot more fun. My go to camera now is the 8x10 all that digital stuff can stay at home Neil 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jonnyboy Posted June 4, 2017 Popular Post Share #33651 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) Very busy period and not shooting too much film. Today I developed some rolls of Fomapan100, nice film happy with the results. These shots on my Konica Hexar AF Edited June 4, 2017 by jonnyboy 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackandwhite Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33652 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) @ Henry: Love Your boats aswell :-) And @ all of You: it is such a pleasure to be with You in this film lovers thread !!! I spent today in the darkroom, and for one time I post digital pics just because it is easier to show the tools we are all working with in some way. I hope this is of a little interest... as it is Sunday, so forgive me to be a little bit lazy. Leica IIIf from 1956, with Elmar from 1936) , Rolleiflex D / Planar 3:5 from around 1957, Voigtländer Bessa from 1948 or 1949, my father's camera. My wife has a M4 from 1969 with Elmar from 1954 and often uses the Rolleiflex, too. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited June 4, 2017 by blackandwhite 12 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3289205'>More sharing options...
blackandwhite Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33653 Posted June 4, 2017 And this is a view of the darkroom. Leitz Focomat and Meopta Magnifax 2. Nothing very sophisticated. Jean-Marie Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 13 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3289208'>More sharing options...
blackandwhite Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33654 Posted June 4, 2017 And a real photo to make me forgive this sinful sidestep. Rolleiflex, Kodak TriX 400. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 14 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3289213'>More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share #33655 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) @ Henry: Love Your boats aswell :-) And @ all of You: it is such a pleasure to be with You in this film lovers thread !!! I spent today in the darkroom, and for one time I post digital pics just because it is easier to show the tools we are all working with in some way. I hope this is of a little interest... as it is Sunday, so forgive me to be a little bit lazy. Leica IIIf from 1956, with Elmar from 1936) , Rolleiflex D / Planar 3:5 from around 1957, Voigtländer Bessa from 1948 or 1949, my father's camera. My wife has a M4 from 1969 with Elmar from 1954 and often uses the Rolleiflex, too. And this is a view of the darkroom. Leitz Focomat and Meopta Magnifax 2. Nothing very sophisticated. Jean-Marie JM you are welcome and thanks for your nice comment. What beautiful IIIf you have new like in the first day and also great camera belonging to your father Keep them and don't sell ! Nice lab with a Focomat and Meopta . Thanks for posting Best Henry Edited June 4, 2017 by Doc Henry 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratzfatz Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33656 Posted June 4, 2017 The last view ... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Hasselblad 500 cm, Ektar, Epson V700 (with ANR glass) 14 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Hasselblad 500 cm, Ektar, Epson V700 (with ANR glass) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3289253'>More sharing options...
A miller Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33657 Posted June 4, 2017 Well I am certainly envious! And this is a view of the darkroom. Leitz Focomat and Meopta Magnifax 2. Nothing very sophisticated. Jean-Marie 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share #33658 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) Very busy period and not shooting too much film. Today I developed some rolls of Fomapan100, nice film happy with the results. These shots on my Konica Hexar AF Jonny nice series specially picture 1,3 and 5 Superb b&w tonality Thanks Henry Edited June 4, 2017 by Doc Henry 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33659 Posted June 4, 2017 For the month of May, a giant chrome blow up ballerina was placed in Rockefeller Center in NYC. She towered over us with her grace. Her last day was last Friday and so I went in the morning with my Linhof Technika Press 6x9 (which, like Jean-Marc, I also rec'd from my late Father) and some Velvia 50 and Ektar and shot her for the memories (and for a nice print opportunity ) I'd love any feedback on these, which POVs are cool etc. The first two were with the Zeiss 53mm Biogon (big brother to the SWC lens, only much older). First is the Velvia 50 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 19 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3289259'>More sharing options...
A miller Posted June 4, 2017 Share #33660 Posted June 4, 2017 second is with Ektar - interesting similarities to the Velvia 50, though still different Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 13 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3289261'>More sharing options...
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