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Old 13th March 2022, 07:38 PM
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Miha Miha is offline
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Default Check your safelights!

I was struggling to get good tones from the Kentmere VC RC paper, something didn't look right regardless of the grade/time chosen. Therefore I decided to do a proper safelight test, and surprise surprise, my safelights fog the paper after only one minute!
Forget the coin test, do the Kodak way:https://www.kodak.com/content/produc...nation-K-4.pdf

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJr...edPhotographer

Now the question, what is the best safelight still available for Multigrade/Kentmere papers? Currently, I'm using two 15W red bulbs by Dr Fischer, and they fog: https://www.retrocamera.be/en/darkoo...501043707.html
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Old 13th March 2022, 08:10 PM
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Here's the Ilford safelight technical information sheet.
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File Type: pdf Safelights technical data sheet.pdf (243.6 KB, 513 views)
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Old 13th March 2022, 08:18 PM
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I have a number of different safelights for different materials.
From memory, and to the contrary to popular belief, there are not that many products where a red safelight is recommended.
Ilford suggests the 902 for Kentmere VC Select.
https://www.ilfordphoto.com/kentmere...-glossy-sheets
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Old 13th March 2022, 08:23 PM
snusmumriken snusmumriken is offline
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I have no experience of Kentmere paper, but their data sheet says "Safelight filters which are suitable for use with VC SELECT are :-
ILFORD 904, ILFORD 902 and Kodak OC or 1A". The Ilford 902 'light brown' safelight filter, which is currently recommended for Multigrade, is amber. Ilford 904 has the same absorption curve but is darker. Ilford safelight data sheet here.

The 902 filter will fog current Ilford MG paper within 3-4 min if too close. My safelights hang about 1m above the wet bench. I did the test and had to turn the lamps upwards to face the (white) ceiling. Now we're fine. My understanding is that 'safe' means you won't notice a difference if exposure to it is realistically brief. If you leave paper lying about under a safelight you definitely will.
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Old 13th March 2022, 08:26 PM
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I tested my lighting a while ago, and needed to move it a little further away.
The link takes you to the Kodak Publication K-4

It took me three tries before I got it correct and understood just what I was doing. Well worth it though.

Perhaps your lights are just too close to the process area.

https://www.kodak.com/content/produc...nation-K-4.pdf


Good Luck
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Old 13th March 2022, 08:46 PM
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I know about the Ilford 902 from these documents but I don't think it's available for purchase?
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Old 13th March 2022, 09:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miha View Post
I know about the Ilford 902 from these documents but I don't think it's available for purchase?
Secondhand. You may find the SL1 suitable depending on the size of your darkroom. Otherwise the DL10 or DL20.
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Old 13th March 2022, 09:10 PM
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Thanks Marty, I see these are readily available s/h.
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Old 13th March 2022, 09:21 PM
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The technical data sheet from the Ilford website for Kentmere VC Select, has no mention of a safelight, which I find odd.
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File Type: pdf Kentmere VC Select Technical Data Sheet.pdf (56.3 KB, 176 views)
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Old 13th March 2022, 09:26 PM
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While the technical data sheet for kentmere vc select l downloaded from the US does mention safelights.
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File Type: pdf Kentmere_VC_Select.pdf (121.2 KB, 282 views)
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