Help with Nuarc 26-1K

[Donsta]

I just bought one of these units for Pt/Pd printing (the sun in Michigan sucks...). Can anyone give me some advice on use (ideal set-up, approximate exposure times etc) of one of these units. How dangerous is the light that these units emit? Any precautions I should consider?

Thanks.

 

[smieglitz]

Use a Stouffer 21-step density wedge to determine proper exposure with your materials. Once you determine the D max through the wedge you'll find the integrator keeps exposures consistent. Any other more specific exposure advice probably would do more harm than good due to the variability of materials used between individuals.

Make sure you have some way to disperse the heat generated by the unit and don't look at the UV while the print is cooking. I solved the latter problem by buying a welding curtain from a local welding supply house. I used shower curtain hooks to hang the curtain from the ceiling and encircle it while it is running making sure the heat could still escape.

I think you'll love the unit. The only complaint I have is that it is noisy. Freestyle has the best replacement lamp cost that I've found for the 26-1K at ~$49.

Have fun.

Joe

 

[Jorge]

Buy yourself UV rated safety glasses, you will need them if you want to do some burning or dodging. Always use long sleeve shirts and gloves. I was lazy one time and did not use long sleeves and gloves and I got a very good burn. Printing times depend on the density of your negatives, I have standarized at 500 units so that 90% of Dmax is at the 0.6 density of the step wedge. But once again this depends on your particular set up, emulsion and developer. If you use Ammonium Citrate you will need at least a stop extra exposure.

My darkroom has exhaust fans, so it does not get too hot, but the unit generates a lot of heat, it is not important but it will be uncomfortable if you do not have a way to disipate the heat.

Other than this, the units are a pleasure to use, if the noise bothers you, just close your darkroom door and go have a coffee or beer, a 500 units exposure is about 10 minutes, so you have enough time to at least come and check APUG while you print.....have fun..

 

[lallan]

a 500 units exposure is about 10 minutes, so you have enough time to at least come and check APUG while you print.....have fun..

Jorge,

I had been looking for a vacuum frame to combine with my old Aristo printer but a print shop near me just went 'computer-to-press' mode so I picked up their 26-1k-8LC. Tests yesterday however had 400 units on my machine as a little over 24 minutes. Could the integrators be that different? Could this an indication of an old bulb that is fading (do bulbs fade or just die?). one more thing, the negative I was testing with prints well with the Aristo at 13 minutes. Thanks, ....lyle

 

[Bob Carnie]

You definately can get a sunburn on these units. We use to use this unit for making masks in the photocomp days and the repro staff always had the best red glows on our skin.
When dodging and burning on platinumn we used a welders mask and gloves with long sleeves as Jorge suggests.
If you want a workout try burning in one half stop , a platinum print, your arms start feeling like jelly after two minutes. With out protection and ear plugs , this unit can be problematic.
There is a skirt that you can purchase that blocks out the light during the main exposure, Nu Ark will have the skirt on their site for your paticular unit.