A thin, straight line of slight underexposjure appears on one side of my prints.

John Neyenesch

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Apr 13, 2012

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• Apr 13, 2012

• #1

When I attempt to make a print a thin, straight line of slight underexposure appears on along one side of the print. The frequency of this happening is unpredictable; sometimes there is no underexposed area, sometimes there is. I've checked the negatives and they are fine, so the problem must be in the enlarging process itself. I'm wondering if the problem could be my two and a quarter film holder with is old and a little sprung. I thought I check before buying a new one. Does anyone recognize this problem?

Thanks for your help, John N

 

tkamiya

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Oct 3, 2009

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• Apr 13, 2012

• #2

Can you tell us what enlarger you are using?
Negative size?
Lens?
Can you also scan your image so we can see it?

Couple of ideas....

Are you using the correct condenser for your film and lens type? I can see this being a problem if you are cropping your image.
If you are using a type of enlarger with movable condensers, is it in the right place?
If you are using under-the-lens type contrast filter, is it centered with the center of your lens?
Are you sure nothing is casting a shadow?
Are you sure your lamp in the enlarger is centered correctly?
Did you remember to feed your cat?

It's all random thoughts because we know very little of your equipment and process.

 

MattKing

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• Apr 13, 2012

• #3

John:

Welcome to APUG!

When you say a thin, straight line of slight underexposure, are you saying the line is darker on the print or lighter on the print than it should be?

If it is darker on the print, I would check for reflection off the carrier.

 

fotch

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• Apr 13, 2012

• #4

Hello John and welcome to APUG.

 

Bob Carnie

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• Apr 14, 2012

• #5

It is probably a neg carrier edge that is causing bounce light .. blacken the edges of the negative carrier.

 

ic-racer

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• Apr 15, 2012

• #6

If this is a diffusion enlarger with a light-box, try taking the negative carrier all the way out. Mark out the projected image of the light-box opening on the base board. Then put the negative carrier back in. The projected hole in the negative carrier should be right in the middle of the light-box marks on the baseboard. If it is too close to one side you can get under exposure on one edge.