BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Film-Based Camera Equipment

Photography Question 

Christopher A. Walrath
 

Split Grade Printing


Love the show. Long time listener. First time in a long time caller.

My negs are flat-ish and thus follow my prints.

I am going to be messing around with split grade printing on my Oriental Seagull RC VC II glossy paper.

What would be a good set of filters to invest in? I don't wanna go cheap, but I'm thinking two sets so I can have a 4x5 set and butcher the others as needed for smaller use (35mm,6x6) in smaller carriers. Or, would an 8x10 set be more affordable?

What do y'all think? And, no, I'm not going to go with the times, ditch my gear and buy a D-whatever.

Thanks all in advance. I'll hang up and listen to the answer.

ChrisW
(Oh, crap. He's back.)


To love this question, log in above
December 14, 2010

 

Rainer and Simone Hoffmann
  Hi Chris,

I'm not sure whether I understand your question correctly. So to clear that up a bit let me ask you two questions:

- which filters do you use at the moment to print your negs on varigrade paper?

- do you use different enlargers for different formats (4x5, 35mm, 6x6)? I've always used only one 4x5 enlarger for all formats so I just need one size of varigrade filters that fits the carrier.

Greetings from Germany

Rainer


To love this comment, log in above
December 16, 2010

 

Christopher A. Walrath
  Hi, there. Here are some answers.

- which filters do you use at the moment to print your negs on varigrade paper?

Currently I do not own any filters. I see the need to expand into using them as, one the whole, my negs are on the flat side. I went through them a month ago and was amazed how flat I generally shoot my subjects.

- do you use different enlargers for different formats (4x5, 35mm, 6x6)? I've always used only one 4x5 enlarger for all formats so I just need one size of varigrade filters that fits the carrier.

I use only an old Fujimoto Lucky 60M that emplys 35mm and 6x6 neg carriers. I do some contact printing with my 4x5 negs. I have a Beseler 57MT motorized enlarger that I intend to print my 4x5 negs at some point in the future. I have no room to set it up as yet.


To love this comment, log in above
December 16, 2010

 

Rainer and Simone Hoffmann
  Hi Chris,

as I see it you just need one filter set that fits the filter carrier of your enlarger. If your enlarger has no filter carrier you can just hold the filters beneath the lens. Not ideal, but it works (well, you'll need a third hand for dodging and burning ;-) ).

Rainer


To love this comment, log in above
December 17, 2010

 
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread