Hello I am new to this forum

[Wisner]

My name is Brent Wood, I have 50 years of professional experience behind the camera for General Dynamics and NASA. I was the chief photographer and department manager for General Dynamics for about half of my photo career. The other half was spent with NASA as the site manager for the photography group at Edwards Air Force Base in California. We photographed air-to air for the X Planes and Space Shuttle. I am now retired and enjoying time with my large format cameras. I use anything from Minox to 8x10.

My Ilford Multi-Contrast 500 system was just stolen so replaced it with a Beseler/Minolta 45A head. Yes I know this is a very polarizing piece of equipment. From what I see one either loves the head or hates it. Found a working head with 8 exposure tubes and 8 focusing tubes for $100.00 dollars.

I am having a few issues....

I have a question on the 45A head.

I have figured out how to determine the proper exposure, then do a ring - around to find the correct contrast. My question is this. On my ring - around, the contrast for exposure 4 is correct. -15 Green and +5 Blue. The enlarger lens is set to F/11 for 4 x 5 film. I am using the B&W mode on A, not AL.

I am making an 8x10 print, the -15 +5 is just a little light but can't figure out how to change the exposure after the ring around. The -15 +5 is grade #2 1/2. The manual I have is from 1988. On page 30 the manual states...

Adjusting the grade of variable contrast paper....
After judging which ring gave the best exposure press the color key to recall that ring number and note the adjustment displayed - mine is -15G and +5 B for exposure #4. Then return to data mode, then using the color and adjusting keys, adjust the displayed exposure data accordingly. When in data mode I can't change the ring-around numbers at all.

I assume the above paragraph means to input the ring-around data -15G +5B in the color mode, am I correct?. The issue, and my question, is once in the color mode I only have access to positive numbers between 0 and 255, I can't seem to figure out how to input minus numbers. This means the data from the ring-around can't be input in color mode and I can't make minor adjustments to the image. Add a little contrast, and add a little more exposure is what I want to do.

So, I would appreciate anyone out there who is happy with this head for B&W that can help me adjust the ring-around numbers, especially how to enter minus numbers like -15?.

I know lots of folks hate this head, I am learning the head and realize, once I learn, then split contrast printing will be very easy for me. Right now just trying to use the head in B&W mode and be able to enter minus numbers so I can adjust the ring-around data.

Please help.

Thank you
Brent.

 

[cowanw]

If your exposure is a little light, don't you need a bit more time i.e. a longer exposure? do you have a timer to do that?
And welcome, I am sure you will be a great new resource if you will.

 

[Wisner]

If your exposure is a little light, don't you need a bit more time i.e. a longer exposure? do you have a timer to do that?
And welcome, I am sure you will be a great new resource if you will.

Thank you for the reply, however, this head does not use a timer per say, it uses density units as in CC filters or densitometric readings. Each .30 is one stop. I am in a mode that has minus numbers entered, if I understand the manual, I need to transfer the ring-around exposure #4 numbers in the color mode, once the data is in color mode then I can adjust the density units. The issue is I can't enter any minus number so can't enter the exposure #4 data so can't adjust anything. This head works like no other, which is why it is hated by so many, not intuitive at all. A timer would be nice, however this is a self contained head that works the way it works, density units adjust exposure.

 

[Kino]

Welcome to Photrio!

I know there are several people here who use or have knowledge of the 45A head. Hopefully they will chime in here with help, but if you would edit the subject line of your posting to include the need for help with this head, you will get better results as your generic heading might not get their attention.

On second thought, you should post a new topic in the Darkroom section with the request for help. It's not the best idea to start multiple threads with the same subject on here, but since you are new it should be OK.

I also have a 45A, but have not yet set it up, so I cannot help you. Sorry!

 

[Wisner]

Thank you Kino, very new to using this site, sorry for the stupid question, where do I find the darkroom section. Having troubles navigating this site.

 

[Sean]

Thank you Kino, very new to using this site, sorry for the stupid question, where do I find the darkroom section. Having troubles navigating this site.

Welcome to the site Brent. If you go to the main forums list here:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/

scroll down and you'll see the darkroom boards:

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio. I hope you find the forum valuable.
Here is the Darkroom Equipment sub-forum: https://www.photrio.com/forum/forums/darkroom-equipment.69/
And if you click on the "Forums" tab near the top of the page, you can see how the sub-forums are laid out.
Noting your screen name, I'm guessing that the large format sub-forums might interest you

 

[MattKing]

Sean beat me to it!

 

[Wisner]

Thank you Sean. Found the darkroom forum and posted there.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG Photrio!

 

[Trail Images]

Hello Brent. Welcome to the Photrio site. Your post outlines quite a photographic career. You said you were with GD too. I worked at their "Stinger" plant in Rancho Cucamonga many, many years ago now. I installed the Stromberg Carlson DBX5000 telecommunications system at that site.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome, Brent! When we switched over from Apug to Photrio, it was a bit of a learning curve for some of us! In regards to your printing issue, can you not just split grade print and be done with it? I am not familiar with that head, but if it allows you to print with max and min contrast, I would just split print. Good luck and look forward to seeing your work!

 

[Wisner]

Hello Andrew - yes I was at the Rancho Cucamonga plant and the Pomona plants from 82 to 95, almost to the end. I supervised all of the art and photo as well as the micro-photo groups. Traveled the world behind a camera. Once the end was in site I moved to NASA with the same job.

Yes, my ultimate goal is to split contrast print, this head will excel at that. It uses RGB filters instead of CMY. To split print I just need to vary the time with the 61G filter and the 47B filter. The issue with the head is it does not use a timer, it uses density units. To change exposure one needs to think in regards to .30 being one stop, .1 a third stop etc. The head uses the same length of exposure for everything, it changes the voltage to the flash tubes to change the brightness. One needs to relearn how to print with this head.

 

[Wisner]

Sorry, my last reply should have stated Hello Trail Images, sorry for that.

 

[Wisner]

Andrew, part of my last reply was indeed for you, the split contrast part. That is where I will be going next. I just wanted to learn this head so I completely understand it. In my opinion, those who hate this head run up against things they can't conquer, that is where I am. I just don't understand the negative numbers the ring-around is using and how to apply them to the overall exposure. Because I can't conquer that I can't print in normal mode.

 

[darkosaric]

Welcome to APUG !

 

[Trail Images]

yes I was at the Rancho Cucamonga plant and the Pomona plants from 82 to 95, almost to the end. I supervised all of the art and photo as well as the micro-photo groups. Traveled the world behind a camera. Once the end was in site I moved to NASA with the same job.

I'm sure we crossed paths at the RC facility back in those days. The original telecommunications system was a DBX1200. I converted it to a DBX5000 to accommodate a couple new buildings added to the facility behind the main plant. Although I recall GD being there in Pomona off Valley & 71 I never worked there as that plant was serviced by GTE in those days. Seems like and was to me a lifetime ago now........