Variable contrast printing?

[johnastovall]

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I'm starting back to set up a wet darkroom and when I was printing I used nothing but graded Agfa Papers. I now see that any kind of graded papers, particulary in high contrast grades are rare.

 

It looks like I need to learn the use of variable contrast papers. Here can I start to learn about variable contrast printing, what are the better enlargers for it, and what are the good reference/teching books on the subject?

 

Did Leitz make an enlarger for VC work?

 

I'm currently leaning to the Omega/LCL lines.

 

I don't even know if I know enough to be asking the right questions.

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[Don'tknowmuch]

Can't help with too many specifics, but Ilford Multigrade variable contrast paper, fibre-based, is nothing to be sneezed at. in fact, personally, it's my favourite look.

You'll be fine.

Jim.

[kenneth]

John Hello and welcome

 

I recently bought a Durst Enlarger with a colour head which allows one to dial in degrees of yellow and magenta which correspond to variable paper grades and as far as I know the Leitz Enlarger has a similar feature. This allows you to make adjustments to contrast liked with the tables listed for Ilford Multigrade papers which I assume will be not alot different to Agfa but I can recommend this forum to you Film and Darkroom User - Powered by vBulletin I hope this helps

 

This gives instructions for a Leitz Enlarger Leitz Focomat V35

[Michael Hiles]

Can't help with too many specifics' date=' but Ilford Multigrade variable contrast paper, fibre-based, is nothing to be sneezed at. in fact, personally, it's my favourite look.

You'll be fine.

Jim.[/quote']

 

I agree - I use Ilford Multigrade IV fibre base. It is rich and beautiful. Rich blacks, clean whites. One of the best papers I have ever used. This is one of many areas where film photography has made great strides, while most of the world has rushed headlong to digital cameras. We have today the best B&W papers ever, IMHO.

 

The Leitz focomat V35 had an available head module for variable contrast B&W. Ilford's individual filter system is also fine - I use it with my focomat 1c.

 

There is also a system from Germany called the Heilland Splitgrade. It calculates the exposure and filtering and apparently produces very fine prints on the first try. It makes two exposures - one for high contrast and one for low. The system balances the time automatically. I haven't used it but I read nice things. It is expensive, and the regular Ilford filter system works fine for much less money.

 

It is all very simple - no obvious difference from printing on graded paper. Only difference - rather than reaching for one of five boxes of different grades, just reach for another filter. Works with any enlarger. Just makes life simpler and cheaper. One box of paper per size needed.

 

Have fun - great way to spend a few hours.

[aesop]

I'm starting back to set up a wet darkroom and when I was printing I used nothing but graded Agfa Papers. I now see that any kind of graded papers, particulary in high contrast grades are rare.

 

It looks like I need to learn the use of variable contrast papers. Here can I start to learn about variable contrast printing, what are the better enlargers for it, and what are the good reference/teching books on the subject?

 

Did Leitz make an enlarger for VC work?

 

I'm currently leaning to the Omega/LCL lines.

 

I don't even know if I know enough to be asking the right questions.

 

 

...yes, johnastovall, Leitz did offer an optional VarioContrast module with the splendid Focomat V35. I've got one and it is simply a joy to use.

 

Click here for related information from a previous thread. Enjoy.

[Guest kirkmingle]

I'm using a Durst enlarger with ADOX Vario Classic baryt paper glossy (variabel constrast) and it's extemely good looking. You can get the paper (and many other papers in all sizes) from Fotoimpex in Berlin.

[tgray]

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If you're looking to get a new enlarger, Kaiser enlargers are now being sold in the US by Freestyle Photo. At least they were in the latest print catalog. They look to be really really nice and you can get them with a variable contrast head.

 

I say if you are only going to be printing B&W, get a VC head or a condenser head plus a set of filters. You'll be fine with that. You can do B&W on a color head and use the color filters to change your contrast, but I find a condenser head + filters (over or under the lens) to be more straight forward. Of course, a B&W VC head is great too.