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Heiland LED Comfort Controller

andrewherrick

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Hi there, I'm looking to get a Heiland LED lightsource for my enlarger. I've not done split grade printing before and I'm not sure about it... I open to trying but I don't want to be locked into it, having made a sizable outlay for the LED head.

So I'm more interested in the "Comfort" controller. I gather you can use it to print variable contrast (so the head operates more akin to an Ilford 500H, is how I understand it).

My questions are:
- Does anyone have any experience with the Comfort controller? Do you recommend it?
- Do I need to Splitgrade controller too? Or can I get away just with the Comfort controller? (I think there is an LED controller I need either way... just wondering if I have to have the Splitgrade controller)
- Any other thoughts or feedback on using the Heiland LED lightsources?

Thanks all!

Andrew
 

I have the Splitgrade controller and never missed a thing.
 
the comfort controller is there to make working with the splitgrade controller easier, more comfortable, so you need both. The led controller is only a connection between the controller and the led unit.
If you want to use it for split grade printing, you need the full set, otherwise you can make choises, depending on what you want.
 
If you want to avoid being locked into split-grade and just want a flexible, variable-contrast workflow, the Comfort controller alone should serve you well. Split-grade is nice to have but not mandatory
 
MattAndre said:
If you want to avoid being locked into split-grade and just want a flexible, variable-contrast workflow, the Comfort controller alone should serve you well. Split-grade is nice to have but not mandatory
Click to expand...

The comfort unit is attached to the split grade controller and uses the information, that's in the split grade controller. Do you only use the comfort unit?
If OP is not interested split grade, he could just get the led unit and the led controller (there are 3 of them, so get the right one)
 
As @Frank53 said the comfort unit attaches to the split grade controller. You can not use the comfort unit without the split grade controller. I do enjoy having the comfort unit when I am using the analyzer, having the zone system display (only available on the comfort) is really helpful if everything’s calibrated and running properly.

Also, contrary to the name, the splitgrade units from Heiland do not offer split grade printing in the way you might expect. Essentially the unit can operate with just a #00 and #5 exposure, or it can mix the exposures to give you anywhere from #00 to #5 in 0.1 grade increments. When you use the unit with “split” filtration, and say you have a 12s exposure at grade #2 it will show a 12s exposure on the timer, but it will do 6s of #00 then 6s of #5, (times are just made up, idk what the actual time of #00 and #5 are necessary to make a #2) but it won’t split those up into individual exposures (6s, pause, 6s) where you can do confident repeatable dodging and burning of your high and low contrast exposures. It never tells you the amount of time it uses for each high and low contrast exposures either so I find using the “split” exposures just a novelty and prefer working with the mixed light.

It is my understanding that Heiland is using the word “splitgrade” because that’s the method it uses to calculate its variable contrast in 0.1 step increments. Not because it gives you a high contrast exposure and a low contrast exposure in separate steps.

I don’t find this problematic especially given the benefits of the analyzer, dodge and burn system, the test strip creator, and to be able to jump to a red safe light projection at the push of a button. I’ve been using my Heiland system for 6 years and I don’t intend on ever using an enlarger without a Heiland installed. It’s just simpler and faster than using any other method.

There was a book Heiland and a photographer came out with a few years ago. I’d recommend purchasing that and reading it over before you make your big equipment purchase. The book is really good at explaining the system and will also help you understand how it works, and if it would work for you. Hope this helps!
 
Mr. Heiland uses the splitgrade by technical reason. It is easier to build an automated enlarger head that makes two exposures with 00 and 5 grades than implement a head with 12 filters from 00 to 5 grades. I have a Magnifax 4 as well as a Dunco 66 module with a controller an a Comfort unit. With the "new" LED heads. you can use also a single exposure for any grade as far as I know. If you try a bit how to use it, the book is wasting money. Helps you just at the beginning. But anyway it is only available as 2nd hand.
 
This is from the new Heiland website:

"For convenient operation of your existing SPLITGRADE controller

Exposure time, gradation, and re-exposure times can be conveniently set using rotary knobs and large red numeric displays.

Key functions enable quick operation of the focus light and exposure sequences. This gives you even faster control of the most important SPLITGRADE functions.

The integrated tone value display allows you to place tone values for portrait shots and enlargements with a limited tone value range.

SPLITGRADE COMFORT is simply connected to the controller. The sophisticated menu control of the Splitgrade controller can of course still be used for advanced tasks. The foot switch can also be connected to and used with the COMFORT control unit."


So the comfort controller is an add-on to the split grade controller. It will do nothing more than allow you to f.e. increase exposure by, lets say, 1/2 of a stop with one turn of the knob, instead of 6 clicks of 1/12 on the split grade controller. The only feature that is unique to the comfort controller, is the visual tonal display, something that is also featured on the RH designs Analyzer Pro. The LED controller is an interface needed to make the split grade module communicate with a LED light source. So if you want an enlarger equipped with a LED light source using a Heiland comfort controller, you need all 4. The LED module, the LED controller, the Splitgrade controller and the comfort controller.
 
Hi everyone, thank you all, I think I have my answer... I need the Comfort Controller AND the Splitgrade controller, if I go this route.

This has triggered another question, however I will start another thread for that

Thanks again
 
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