cathomag head

[bogeyes]

Just been looking at a devere 302 enlarger on ebay UK it has a cathomag head. Is the cold light head a step up from a normal dichrioc condensor enlarger, and if you put ilford multigrade filters under the lens will the cold light head still make a difference?

 

[Les McLean]

Just been looking at a devere 302 enlarger on ebay UK it has a cathomag head. Is the cold light head a step up from a normal dichrioc condensor enlarger, and if you put ilford multigrade filters under the lens will the cold light head still make a difference?

In my opinion a cathomag cold light head will not produce satisfactory results with variable contrast paper. The colour of the light is quite blue when compared to condensor and diffusion enlargers making it more difficult to achieve the softer grades. Some printers have used extra yellow below the lens filtration to minimise the effect of the blue light. My experience when I used a Cathomag was far from satisfactory and I finally dumped the enlarger on the tip and replaced it with a Zone VI VC enlarger.

 

[bogeyes]

In my opinion a cathomag cold light head will not produce satisfactory results with variable contrast paper. The colour of the light is quite blue when compared to condensor and diffusion enlargers making it more difficult to achieve the softer grades. Some printers have used extra yellow below the lens filtration to minimise the effect of the blue light. My experience when I used a Cathomag was far from satisfactory and I finally dumped the enlarger on the tip and replaced it with a Zone VI VC enlarger.

Thank you Les, you have satisfied my curiosity, the enlarger can stay where it is even though it is only £20.