Variable contrast printing?

[johnastovall]

I'm starting back to set up a wet darkroom and when I was printing I used nothing but graded Agfa Papers. I now see that any kind of graded papers, particulary in high contrast grades are rare.

It looks like I need to learn the use of variable contrast papers. Here can I start to learn about variable contrast printing, what are the better enlargers for it, and what are the good reference/teching books on the subject?

I'm currently leaning to the Omega/LCL lines of VCC enlargers.

I don't even know if I know enough to be asking the right questions.

[Gabby498]

If you could work with graded papers you can work with variable the same way. Simply pick the contrast you would have used in graded and use that filter. Any enlarger that would work with graded will work with variable as long as you have a filter holder. The only difference is that you do not have to buy five packages of paper.

Should have mentioned, you are not going to get Agfa Brovira No. 6 out of variable. Sorry.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Gabby498

If you could work with graded papers you can work with variable the same way. Simply pick the contrast you would have used in graded and use that filter. Any enlarger that would work with graded will work with variable as long as you have a filter holder. The only difference is that you do not have to buy five packages of paper.

Should have mentioned, you are not going to get Agfa Brovira No. 6 out of variable. Sorry.

Damn, Afga 5 and 6 were some of my favorite grades.

[Valerie]

A color head enlarger works great for VC papers-- just dial in your filtration and not worry about filters.

[venchka]

What Valerie said. Or use the enlarger you have with above the condenser filters. Freestyle sells Ilford filters. You don't need a new enlarger.

You may want to reconsider how you develop your film. Brovira #5 &#6 was and is pretty radical. Were your negatives that flat? Or did you like black and white and no grey? Just curious. All silver is good.

[johnastovall]

Tri-X pushed beyond limits and 3270. I like high contrast. At one point I was playing with Kodalith films for paper.

It the light of night even then I worked at capturing.

I understand that with a dichroic head one doesn't need to use filters.

[Big Dog]

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/...0201152306.pdf

http://www.amazon.com/Variable-Contr.../dp/0240802594

You might want to check out apug.org. And we'll be glad to help here, too.

[TXFZ1]

A link that I found while looking at LF info.

http://www.butzi.net/articles/vcce.htm

David

[venchka]

Originally Posted by TXFZ1

A link that I found while looking at LF info.

http://www.butzi.net/articles/vcce.htm

David

A convert? We can fix your large format cravings.

[KJ Smith]

This may help,

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/...1029251325.pdf

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=93

Kevin

[TXFZ1]

Originally Posted by venchka

A convert? We can fix your large format cravings.

I've been considering it by researching the internets. My probation is up in a few days at the LF forum, can't wait.

David