Hi again.... Fomaspeed V312 and Foma filter question

[hoganlia]

second post today.... I don't know if there is a limit.

I have bought some 5x7 and 8x10 Fomaspeed Variant 312 which was difficult to come by for a while. I had a shoot where I think a matte finish would be nice... it was not to be. Now I can at least experiment.

I have never printed matte before and after reading a few of the comments here on Fomaspeed 312 (there are not many) I decided to buy Foma Filters as well as a member mentioned they slow the exposure times a little. The filters are different from Ilford both in colour and the combination approach which I have not heard of before.

The combinationes and in the three groups Y, yellow, M1, light magenta, and M2, deep magenta. The instruction sheet is a little unclear when it deals with mixing. I understand if the combinations refer to using either one or both of the filers in each group. Am I right in thinking that combining two filters from different goups is not possible.

Looking forward to your wisdom

thanks

Joe

 

[Don_ih]

I don't know if there is a limit.

No. Ask away,

It suggests to not bother combining different kinds of filters. The M1 filter combined with the M2 would likely be the same as M2 on its own with a slight need to extend exposure. You can see what combining them would do - or combining a Y and an M (1 or 2). Y and M will somewhat "cancel" each other out.

It's pretty similar to how a colour head changes contrast. You tend to not have the Y dial above zero if you want higher contrast and you tend to not have the M dial above zero if you want lower contrast.

 

[FotoD]

I suppose you could combine M1 and M2 and get a contrast grade between 2xM1 and M2. But it would be a relatively small change of contrast, so probably not very useful.

This is from Fomas datasheet.

And here is the same chart for Ilfords filters.

 

[koraks]

The M1 filter combined with the M2 would likely be the same as M2 on its own with a slight need to extend exposure.

No, they will act as a stronger magenta filter. Compare to dialing in e.g. 50CC M on a dichroic enlarger as opposed to e.g. 40CC. The numbers will vary depending on the exact density of the filters. But stacking these filters will in fact affect grade and not just exposure time. So adding M1 to M2 will get you somewhere in-between 'normal' and 'hard'. Whether that's a meaningful nuance in regular printing, is another matter of course. So I'm with @FotoD on this.

I decided to buy Foma Filters as well

I've had several sets of Foma filters over the years. They never saw much use. Firstly, the Ilford Multigrade filters are often available in used but good condition at a reasonable price - I got multiple sets 'for free' when picking up other darkroom stuff. The Ilford filters I found more intuitive to use. It's illustrated by the table posted above by @FotoD. Secondly, all the enlargers I owned all had some way of filtering color - either they were regular dichroic enlargers, or they were equipped with a variable contrast head (in my case an Ilford 500 unit). I found there's very little advantage to using under-the-lens filters of the enlarger itself is already equipped with filters. I personally never experienced any problems with movement or shake manipulating the filters on a dichroic color head (pretty much the only argument against that approach that I'm aware of).

Am I right in thinking that combining two filters from different goups is not possible.

It's possible, just not very useful.


What kind of enlarger do you use @hoganlia?

 

[Don_ih]

No, they will act as a stronger magenta filter.

Not much stronger. As in, not worth doing. As in, not worth mentioning.

 

[koraks]

If the filter affects exposure time in a meaningful way and it's a magenta filter, then it's evident that it will also affect contrast. Whether the difference is relevant depends on how precisely someone wants to control effective paper grade.