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> Need a harder print than Grade 5 ? |
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#1
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Need a harder print than Grade 5 ?
I am trying to do a high key series of prints and have need to try of a harder print than G5 will give me.
I am using Ilford MGFB paper with Ilford MG Dev at 1+5 for 3.5 mins (the print seems to reach finality at 3 min - so a bit longer for print to print consistency). Has anyone any suggestions ? One of my own was to consider trying to mix my own Beers Two Sol'n variable contrast developer and mixing up the developer to a high contrast solution. Any thoughts/experiences with this ? Thanks Martin |
#2
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Hi Martin, have you thought about negative intensification in order to boost contrast?
I haven't tried it myself but it could offer an effective solution to your problem. Personally, I find condenser enlargers add a 1+ contrast grade, if that option is available to you.
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MartyNL “Reaching a creative state of mind thru positive action is considered preferable to waiting for inspiration.” - Minor White, 1950 |
#3
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You may combine the following things:
- use a grade 5 filter combined with maximum magenta filtering - use a high contrast developer. If using your usual dev, dilute it as less as possible. - shorten the exposure and lengthen the developing time as long as possible - Increase contrast of the negative by Selen toning Combining all of this you should gain at least one grade. -- Uwe |
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Hi guys
Thanks for the replies - they have given me some useful ideas. I have had a look through my Darkroom Cookbook where there is a short section on Negative Intensification. I don't fancy giving Chromium Intensifier a go as one of the main ingredients is hydrochloric acid and the other potassium dichromate - both of which are hazardous. However, it says Ansel Adams used Selenium Toner to intensify some of his negatives at a 1+2 solution for 5 minutes - which sounds pretty easy - so I'll give it a go let you know. I also still fancy having a go with Beers Two Solution variable contrast developer and mixing up the developer to a high contrast solution. The Darkroom Cookbook has the recipe and Firstcall have all the chemicals available. I remember the keeping properties of the made up solutions as being very poor, so I'll need to get myself set and ready to go, if I want to try it out. Thanks for your help. Martin |
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#6
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Quote:
But the Beers developer formula seems interesting and could be useful in getting a very high contrast print, as in high key, as Martin says in his first post. I have all the chemicals, so will add it to my never ending list of things to try. Looking around, there are quite a number of formulas, that all seem to vary slightly, but the following link will take you to one that mirrors the Darkroom Cookbook formula, in case you don't have a copy: https://www.digitaltruth.com/product...02-0120%5d.pdf As for buying the chemicals, the two that I would recommend buying 'off the shelf' are Sodium Carbonate / Washing Soda, which I buy for a £1.00 in a local shop for a big bag and Sodium Sulfite, which loads of swimming pool companies sell on ebay, for a lot less and for a lot more. Terry S |
#7
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I’m with Uwe on this. Recently I’ve been using Ilford Delta 3200 but have had very low contrast negs (using Ilford’s recommended times). My probe tells me grade 5 is up to 2 grades too low, but I find if I shorten the exposure by up to 2 stops & let it develop for the full 3 mins (Multigrade developer 1:9 and Ilford Classic fibre) I actually get very acceptable prints.
Good luck! Michael |
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Have I got this 2 stop reduction right? Thanks Mike |
#9
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Martin have you thought about trying lith. It might give you more contrast.
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#10
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That’s correct, Mike. My timer allows me to reduce the suggested times in fractions of an f-stop and I do a test strip first, but about 2 full stops works for me, for the given paper/developer combination already mentioned.
This may just be something that works for my set-up so I can’t guarantee it will work for you but I thought I’d mention it as something perhaps worth trying. Rgs, Michael Quote:
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