I ran into a tricky print yesterday in my darkroom. It took significantly longer to expose the print and the results were lackluster. I print on an Omega D-II with a PH211 75W bulb, use Ilford Multigrade RC paper, and use f/11 (the highest resolution setting on my 50mm and 100mm lenses). Print sizes are usually 8x10 or less from a 35mm negative.
Without using an Ilford contrast filter, my print times are between 12 and 20 seconds, depending on enlargement, density, etc. If I add in a filter (00-3 1/2 grade), I'll see my print times rise to 35-50 seconds or so. Filter grades 4+ usually are in the 70+ second range.
Yesterday, I couldn't get a decent print on a snow scene with a 50mm lens, f/11 and a no. 3 filter at anything less than 150 seconds. I opened up the stop to f/8 and a 70 second exposure was close but not quite right. I noticed lots of unequally distributed gray spots forming in the highlight areas of the print.
I'd prefer not to 1) go lower than f/8 on the lens f-stop (flare and corner sharpness) or 2) use a PH212 150W bulb (gets hot). I am using the D-II's 4.5 inch condenser (designed for medium negatives) in the enlarger instead of the 3 inch condenser (for miniature negatives). I do this for ease of setup and to maintain same relative variables when printing either 120 or 135 films.
My questions are:
1) What maximum exposure is reasonable before other factors start affecting print quality to a noticeable extent?
2) What problems or negative effects can I expect to see with too long of an exposure?
3) Any tips, tricks or considerations to manage exposure times for this setup?
Without using an Ilford contrast filter, my print times are between 12 and 20 seconds, depending on enlargement, density, etc. If I add in a filter (00-3 1/2 grade), I'll see my print times rise to 35-50 seconds or so. Filter grades 4+ usually are in the 70+ second range.
Yesterday, I couldn't get a decent print on a snow scene with a 50mm lens, f/11 and a no. 3 filter at anything less than 150 seconds. I opened up the stop to f/8 and a 70 second exposure was close but not quite right. I noticed lots of unequally distributed gray spots forming in the highlight areas of the print.
I'd prefer not to 1) go lower than f/8 on the lens f-stop (flare and corner sharpness) or 2) use a PH212 150W bulb (gets hot). I am using the D-II's 4.5 inch condenser (designed for medium negatives) in the enlarger instead of the 3 inch condenser (for miniature negatives). I do this for ease of setup and to maintain same relative variables when printing either 120 or 135 films.
My questions are:
1) What maximum exposure is reasonable before other factors start affecting print quality to a noticeable extent?
2) What problems or negative effects can I expect to see with too long of an exposure?
3) Any tips, tricks or considerations to manage exposure times for this setup?