B&W Printing Using A Colour Enlarger

I'm about to launch into using my LPL 6700 to do some B&W enlargements using Ilford Multigrade paper. I have found a doc on the Ilford web site on Contrast Control that does have a table for multi filter settings. However I'm not sure how to interpret all the settings listed under Kodak which equates to my enlarger going by the document. The settings seem to be based on equivalents Multigrade filters in the left hand column :confused:.

I have enlarging lenses and photo paper chems so all I need to know is the right settings.

Can anyone give me a leg up on what filter setting I should use for B&W?

Thanks

Ilford pdf link below:

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2010628932591755.pdf

A colour head is a pretty flexible thing when printing B&W and using multigrade papers. It allows to give you plenty of contrast control, all at the turn of a dial.

The way that the multigrade papers work is the more magenta you dial on, the higher the contrast you will get. If you want lower contrast, you reduce the magenta until that is 0, then you can start adding yellow, which will reduce contrast more. Typically (from my experience. Your mileage may very), you would only ever be playing with either Magenta or Yellow by themselves and more then likely, you will only be playing with magenta.

For a starting point, a lot depends on your negatives and your desired effect. I would start with the enlarger set at 0 on all filters and do some test strips (for your enlarger and ilford MG papers, this is supposed to be aproximately grade 2). If you think that the image looks flat, then add some magenta - By the sounds of things, you are starting out, so I would go the full grade steps. When you are all done, compare the grade 2 you started with, with the grade 4ish (you can never get a full grade 5 out of the LPL) and it should become apparent.

Typically, I print at grade 3 to grade 4.

Hope I haven't confused you more!

Yes, use the "Kodak" settings in place of the multigrade filter set. If you are not printing on multigrade paper, then just use white light.

Set Cyan to 0, use Yellow and Magenta to vary the contrast with the chart on pg3, right hand side as a guide.

Ok, a bit of guess work with the Magenta and Yellow by the sound of it until I get the right look. That doesn't worry me so much as I am up for some practical learning.

I plan on doing contact prints as well, how long should the exposure be with Multigrade paper by using the white light on the enlarger, any ideas or is it trial and error again?

Thanks again

It is a bit of guess work.

I tend to use the single filter chart. The only practical difference is that you adjust exposure more. The dual filter chart allows less exposure adjustment, not none in my experience.
I start with no filters, so grade 2, which is normally very workable for most of my shots.

I plan on doing contact prints as well, how long should the exposure be with Multigrade paper by using the white light on the enlarger, any ideas or is it trial and error again?

Click to expand...

Trial and error is best, there is too much variance in equipment and negatives to quote a good number.

FWIW, I prefer using the multi filter settings and rarely expose with white light for MG papers, for me, it makes testing and contrast adjusments easier, YMMV though.
I made the attached chart and taped it to the front of my enlarger as a grade starting point for my 4x5 LPL so that I didn't have to constantly wade through the table in the paper info sheet.

I have the 6700 and if there is one tip I can give you it's to get yourself an under the lens filter set. Dialing in colour values or referencing charts, or forgetting this or that is a ball-ache. Changing a filter is much easier.

Colin D said:

Ok, a bit of guess work with the Magenta and Yellow by the sound of it until I get the right look. That doesn't worry me so much as I am up for some practical learning.

I plan on doing contact prints as well, how long should the exposure be with Multigrade paper by using the white light on the enlarger, any ideas or is it trial and error again?

Thanks again

Click to expand...

I'd not expose multigrade paper with white light. Use one of the settings in the chart.

Beauty, thanks for those tips everyone and that chart Bdial, I'll give it a go on the weekend.