Filters for split filter printing?

[Nacio Jan Brown]

I just got a 300mm Componon S enlarging lens, a monster piece of glass. I will be using it on a cold light head enlarger for B&W printing. I plan on using two 4" square filters for contrast control. I once read somewhere about using two filters not specifically made for enlarging contrast control. I can't remember what filters were recommended. I'm thinking that it's likely that one is green, the other blue, but I'm not even sure of this. I tried a search here under "split filter printing" but was overwhelmed with the number of hits/responses. Does anyone out there know what I need? TIA, njb

 

[lee]

green #58 and blue #47b that is what you will need. Of course, the #0 and the #5 will work also in the subtractive mode. These filters are mainly sold by Kodak or Ilford.


lee\c

 

[Robert]

If you want to do it on the cheap then you can get a couple of Roslux filters. I forget the numbers but they should be here someplace. I guess you should only use them above the lens. Can't beat the price.

 

[Nacio Jan Brown]

Thanks for the reply, Lee. Have you printed this way? I have both of these filters and it occurs to me that because of their hefty filter factors, enlarging exposure times could get quite long. True? njb

 

[lee]

If you want to make a split filter print, first you need to make a test print with the green (or the blue) filter in place. I generally set my timer for about 3 seconds when I make my test prints. Process the paper and find a time you like. This will show the best time for the highlight if you have used the green filter. Say the time you like best is 10 seconds. Put the second strip or piece of paper in the easel and while using the green filter set the timer for 10 seconds and then expose the strip or piece of paper. Now remove the green filter and place the other one in the slot and make another test strip on top of the green filter print. Process this and look for the black. Say this looks good at 8 seconds. Return to the enlarger and make an exposure with the green filter (10 seconds) in place and then swap filters and make the 8 second time with the blue filter. Process the paper. You now should have your first work print. What you need to remember is that the green filter controls the highlight and the blue controls the dark or the shadow areas. One thing that I see happen to first time split printer is the choices that they make might not be the best the right out of the box. Most tend to select a blue time that is too long and result in a dark contrasty photo. Consequently if you pick a time with too much green it will be a dull drab photo.

Yes, I use this method everytime I print. To the fact that I bought an Aristo VCL4500 cold light to simplify the procedure. It has two tubes in it. One green and One blue. I used the green and blue filters for several years before I got this head for the current enlarger.

This method is strikingly easy. You get right to the contrast and to the exposure time this way, and in my opinion, much more quickly than the more conventional way. It must be said, also, that there are people that will say that nothing that is printed with the above method can't be duplicated with using just one filter.(the traditional methods) Try it and see how you like it. I like the method and it makes a lot of sense to me. I have been doing this for several years now. Maybe going on 10 years now.


lee\c

 

[Donald Miller]

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[lee]

Do you have and are you able to photocopy me a copy of that article? I don't read that mag and would very much like to see the article.

lee\c