Exposure Times with LPL Enlarger

[Richard D. Markel]

I have posted this question several times in the distant past but never really got a satisfactory answer if, in fact, there is one.

I am currently using an LPL 4by5 enlarger with the VCCE head. Unlike the color head the VCCE head does NOT have a light attenuator. I am using a 150mm Rodogan N lens for 4by5.

I test my films using the zone system and develope for a diffusir light source. In other words the negatives and denser than I would develope for a condenser system. I use a densitomotor to check my zones and usually test for zone 1 and zone VII.

I am more than satisfied with the results. The prints are great, but here's my problem. My exposure times are too short. For an 11/14 print my times are about eight seconds at f 11!!! I would have hoped that they would have been about 12 seconds at f8. No time to burn and dodge and, although f11 seems fine on this APO lense, I would rather use f8.

I have the XLG model which has a 250 watts halogin bulb. You CANNOT

 

[david b]

I am assuming you are about to say that you cannot change the bulb.

But how about exposing at f16 or f22 ?

 

[Richard D. Markel]

Boy, that was fast! Yeh, I could but would like to print at the "prime" f stop, two or three stops from wide open.

 

[david b]

start making denser negs?

 

[Richard D. Markel]

The full text of my message appears in the heading below. Don't know what happened

 

[Lopaka]

Make bigger prints.

Seriously, I have the same enlarger and similar experience. I have not tried to attack it. Do you have a color module so you can see what the light attenuator really looks like? It seems rather primitive. (If not, I will try to post a picture of it) It would seem that you could make your own - it might not be precisely 2 stops like the color module and you would have to take off the head to remove it for making big prints but it is the only answer I can think of.

Bob

 

[Richard D. Markel]

The full text of my first message appears in the thread below. Don't know why it was cut of and started another thread but this is the first time I have posted in the group so I fauled up somehow.

Let me know what your experiences are with your LPL. Actually there is an attenuator in the VCCE module but it moves in and out of the lightpath to keep the exposures constant when changing grades. Thus no seperate attenuator like in the color module. I could go with the color module but because of the above, I don't really know what type of attenuation I would get with the "two stop filter" which is included with the color head.

 

[jovo]

I use the LPL 4550XLGVCCE (whew!) as well. The paper you use may make a big difference. My times with Ilford are much longer than with Kentmere for the same negative. Try some different papers and see what results you get.

 

[Richard D. Markel]

Have done that. Used both Agfa and Ilford with literally the same results.

 

[Lopaka]

The neutral density filter in the VCCE head is a different animal - I agree it is very convenient to know that the exposure time is always the same regardless of grade setting.

The attenuator in the color module is not a filter at all - it is a simple screen that interrupts part of the light flow before it reaches the filters. Might be worth a try making one. I'll try to post a picture of it in a day or so.

Bob

 

[Richard D. Markel]

Interesting. This is also what Omega uses. I thought of putting something like that over the small hole going into the light box. Or perhaps a neutral density foil if it didn't burn up in the heat.

The thing I don't like about this problem is that I feel that I have lost control of the printing process.