Getting deeper blacks

ww12345 · Sep 3, 2013

Also, I wanted to add a word of thanks to those who said you can't overdevelop - I always assumed that the quick change of the paper would keep happening if I left it in the developer. I guess I'll try some of those blue filters (any idea what they are? They aren't labeled - if it would help I could post a pic of them).

Also, I'm pretty sure the negatives are ok. I could post a pic of them, too, if it would help. What would be the best way to take a pic?

Thanks so much for all the help! I still can't get over how awesome and helpful everybody on APUG has been...

Hatchetman · Sep 3, 2013

You need to get a set of the Ilford multigrade filters. By hook or by crook, get them somehow. You NEED them.

ww12345 · Sep 3, 2013

Ok, I guess I'll track one down. Anybody have a spare to sell?

eBay is an option too, I guess.

Hatchetman · Sep 3, 2013

I'm guessing there is a filter drawer between your condenser lenses that holds 3 1/2 inch filters. If so, this should do the trick: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ILFORD-MULT...555?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e15997c3

It doesn't matter if they are a little dirty or abused.

Gerald C Koch · Sep 3, 2013

ww12345 said:
Thanks for all the help so far! I'm going to try to track down copies of "The Negative" and "The Print"...

Make sure that you get the newer editions 1995 or later as the original books were greatly expanded and now cover much more material.

erikg · Sep 3, 2013

Get a new set of filters from Freestyle or someplace, they don't last forever and you don't need any problems from faded or burned out filters. It's worth it.

Moopheus · Sep 3, 2013

ww12345 said:
Ok, I guess I'll track one down. Anybody have a spare to sell?

Actually, I do--I normally use the 6" sheets now, so the 3.5" filter set I have doesn't get much use. I think I paid $15 for the set a few years ago, so I'd be willing to part with them for cheap. Send me a pm.

ww12345 · Sep 3, 2013

Ok, thanks so much to everybody that posted here. I dig out my enlarger today, and put both filters I had in the drawer. I then exposed at f8 for 16 seconds, developed for 2 minutes, fixed for 2 minutes, then washed for 3 minutes. Not perfect, but miles better than what I had:

ww12345 · Sep 4, 2013

Surprise, it works for 8x10s too! Just double plus 2/10 and you're good to go...

Oscar Carlsson · Sep 8, 2013

Nice!

Another tip on a good book to read: Way Beyond Monochrome (isbn-13: 978-0240816258)

I've read The Negative/The Print but I find WBM to be more concise, more coherent and easier to read. Not all parts of the book is relevant but there is a wealth of relevant knowledge to be found, especially on printing and creating a good negative.

TheToadMen · Sep 8, 2013

Oscar Carlsson said:
Nice!

Another tip on a good book to read: Way Beyond Monochrome (isbn-13: 978-0240816258).

+1

My other favourite book is: Edge of Darkness, Barry Thornton.

David Lyga · Sep 8, 2013

WW12345: Your borders are grey. That means either age-fog or light leak in the darkroom. - David Lyga

ww12345 · Sep 8, 2013

Cool! I'll definitely check out both of those books. Thanks for the tip - I have all of the books recommended in this thread on order; lots of very informative reading to do...

Actually, those borders are pure white - one more limitation of digital photos - in order to get the blacks "black," the white borders came out grey. :S

I do have some paper that is age fogged, so I am on the lookout for that symptom.

Getting deeper blacks

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