Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/09/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have used extensively both condenser and cold light enlargers as well as halogen color heads and the Ilford multi contrast heads also using the same light source, halogen bulbs. I'm afraid my opinion on the "grainy contrasty condenser heads" is is that that definition was come up with by the people in the cold light business. I find or found no advantage in grain from cold lights over condenser. And surprisingly little in contrast. I agree with getting rid of a plastic 67 if you had a solid metal 23 to use in stead. I prefer cold lights but it has nothing to do with tonality. It all had to do with its not popping negs. Did not heat up the negs during exposures so they moved and gave you trails for a grain pattern. I'm in no hurry to go back to the darkroom. Perhaps in 5 or 10 years there will be a full circle feeling for many of us to re instate our darkrooms. In the meanwhile I'm busy making images. mark@rabinergroup.com Mark William Rabiner > From: Ken Carney <kcarney1@cox.net> > Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> > Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 19:03:43 -0500 > To: 'Leica Users Group' <lug@leica-users.org> > Subject: RE: [Leica] Getting into printing.. need advice? > > I have both the 23 and 67 (well, I had the 67 dichro but gave it away the > other day). The 23 is a condenser enlarger. Both the 23 and 67 will take > up to 6x7cm negs. A condenser head enlarger emphasizes grain and contrast, > good to some, not good to others. A dichro or cold-light enlarger gives > more smooth tonality. I am selling or giving away all my darkroom > equipment > presently, but if I were starting now, I would get an enlarger with a > variable contrast head designed for b&w (assuming that you are not printing > color, another subject entirely). And, the best enlarging lens you can > afford, in your case two, one for 35mm and one for MF. There are all kinds > of accessories needed, levels to align the enlarger, grain focusers, > easels, > print washers, and so forth. You can probably buy all this stuff for very > low prices presently. I have two enlargers left that are going out on the > curb if I can't find takers. The one I used the most was an Omega 4x5 with > negative carriers down to 35mm, a cold-light head and a Metrolux feedback > timer. > > Given the present technology, I would rather be staked out in a bed of > starving ants than go back in the darkroom. But, if that is your thing I > would recommend Ansel Adams' book, "The Print". BTW "Grade 5" refers to > the > contrast range of graded printing papers. They range from grade 1 to 5. > Variable contrast papers use filters or a variable contrast head to do that > with a VC paper. > > Ken > > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: lug-bounces+kcarney1=cox.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug- >> bounces+kcarney1=cox.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Yama Nawabi >> Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 6:19 PM >> To: Leica Users Group >> Subject: [Leica] Getting into printing.. need advice? >> >> Hello, >> >> So I am almost ready to start printing at my house.. I want to find out >> more information on enlargers that would be able to print both 35mm and >> medium format (B/W negs). Does the beseler 23 or 67c do this? What >> information should I know to start printing? Does anyone have any useful >> links I should start reading? >> >> Also, if someone says they printed something on "Grad 5" does that >> indicate how long their exposure was according to that "stripe" Kodak >> chart? >> >> Thanks a bunch! >> >> ------------ >> Yama Nawabi >> www.helloyama.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information