If you are speaking of the Ilford EM-10 I am sure it's worth it. I think I paid less than $20 for mine at B&H some time ago.
When I finally found Ralph Lambrechts' graph on his site to display what it will do, it became easy to make a 1/4 sheet confirmation test and then a full sheet proof. I'm almost convinced the 1/4 sheet is unneeded -- but ready to do without it.
I must add it is only as good as your negative is. It won't make a great print out of a poor negative, that's where you come in. But it will give you something to look at and see how or whether it's worth pursuing.
Well, I don't own one but will add something about them that I don't like about them
They work on the premise you're going to change the aperture... I don't do that. Guess you could work out some formula to convert aperture changes to time changes, but you'd need a calculator at least.
Well, I don't own one but will add something about them that I don't like about them
They work on the premise you're going to change the aperture... I don't do that. Guess you could work out some formula to convert aperture changes to time changes, but you'd need a calculator at least.
If you are speaking of the EM=10, this has not been my experience at all.
I find the zone VIII spot and set the aperture so the green led goes on. The aperture does not change after that throughout the entire process, unless you are going to increase exposure for grade 4 or 5 filter.
The ZII green light is lit when the dial on the EM-10 detects density. The dial number refers to Ralph's chart suggesting filter grade.
Exposure time is based on paper speed: MG IV @ 500 (12s); MG WARMTONE @ 200 (30s).
Would like to give that a look. Could you supply a pointer
to his site? I'll have finished calibrating my EM-10 against a
21 step step wedge this evening. It will then be calibrated
from f8 through f32. Looks good for within a 1/2 step
density measurements. Should be interesting to
see what Ralph has done with his. Dan
Bruce is right, the EM-10 is a great meter and fantastic value for money. However, the graph, he is referring to, is not on my page anymore (maybe I took it off too soon). Nevertheless, I can post it again or send you a copy if necessary. However, in the 'Library' section on my site is, since today, a new file called 'Paper-GradeDial'. Once your EM10 is calibrated to times or density, it will do everything you need.
I hung up on that and let my EM-10 sit around unused.
In the mean time I pretty well settled on proofing to 5x7.
Now when proofing a very small aperture is used. Note
is made of the f stop, time, and the meter reading. A
mark or marks are made on the proof indicating
the metered areas.
Substantially I follow Ilford's EM-10 instructions
with an extension or two of my own. The EM-10 is
a very small spot spot meter. I only wish they or
another would turn out a linear device. Dan
Good evening, Ralph, I just bought the latest edition of WBM and I found the book very useful . I recently purchased an EM10. you may send the post related to this exposure? Thank you. Gino
Good evening, Ralph, I just bought the latest edition of WBM and I found the book very useful . I recently purchased an EM10. you may send the post related to this exposure? Thank you. Gino
You may not have noticed, but this thread has been lying dormant for 5 years.
In addition, Ralph is apparently quite ill. We haven't had an update on his condition for a while, but we are all here hoping to hear that he is on the mend.