Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/09/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Right you are! The developer/water bath process I suggested (diminishing negative contrast as much as possible) was good for the times there were no credible variable contrast papers around - and I liked it at the time because I could use point source of light in my enlarger easily (and who uses/needs this kind of printing technique nowadays??). Currently I have got much less time for photo chemistry, and I go for the same thing as you do - developer dilution. Only one problem arises then - how to avoid streaks on negatives. But then - Delta is a tricky film for me. Martin These water baths, alkali baths and going back and forth to old developers are interesting techniques. The later i've never heard of or thought of but would seem fun and satisfying. Like alchemy. Very much what darkroom work can be about. (eye of newt!) I often have some old paper developer in with the new but that is a far cry. The use of split baths i would think would come out of a frustration of the limitation of the tonal range of your negative. Ansel did it with moonrise because he winged it with the exposure without a meter and he wasn't sure if he had anything. Me I'm not experiencing at this point a dissatisfaction and frustration with my negatives and how they print. As of late I've been doing OK with simply using the most dilute developer as possible. My negs are printing nicely. As nicely as they look certainly on the light table. Delta 100 and 400, some Neopan 1600 with some 400. All printing nicely. My frustration level in the darkroom is not an issue. So my inspiration to experiment which technique to further expand the range of my neg is not there. But more power to those who are up to it. But I'd think doing so would come out of a frustration with your negs as to how they are printing now. Mark Rabiner Portland, Oregon USA http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/ + - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html