Is XP2 Film Base acting like a Multigrade Filter?

bvy · Mar 1, 2017

Does it even make sense to talk about split grade printing Ilford XP2? The base is already a pink/purple color that doesn't look unlike some of the multigrade filters I already have. And I'm finding print times to be very long. Thought I'd step back and gather some feedback before proceeding. Thoughts?

cowanw · Mar 1, 2017

XP2 will require a lot more contrast, sometimes a 4 or a 5. But there is no reason not to split grade print, especially if dodging or burning.

MattKing · Mar 2, 2017

cowanw said:
XP2 will require a lot more contrast, sometimes a 4 or a 5. But there is no reason not to split grade print, especially if dodging or burning.

I'm surprised to see this Bill, because my experience with printing Ilford XP2 has been that it prints quite normally.
The Kodak version of chromogenic B&W film was more problematic, no doubt due to the orange mask that optimizes it for colour paper.
I don't think the base colour on XP2 is particularly problematic, because it is possible to print it to a wide variety of contrasts. It does, however, tend to lengthen times.
I don't have much scanned that originated on XP2, but the print below was. It may not be a good example, because it was intentionally printed to a higher than typical (for me) contrast. I don't recall whether I used split grade techniques on it, but I wouldn't have hesitated to do so.

Frank53 · Mar 2, 2017

bvy said:
Does it even make sense to talk about split grade printing Ilford XP2? The base is already a pink/purple color that doesn't look unlike some of the multigrade filters I already have. And I'm finding print times to be very long. Thought I'd step back and gather some feedback before proceeding. Thoughts?

When I change the settings on my Heiland Split Grade controller from b/w film to xp2, contrast goes from 2.0 to 0.7. That should be a good indication of the difference. Time almost doubles.
Regards,
Frank

cowanw · Mar 2, 2017

Matt, you are right about the Kodak version and it's base colour. My XP2 is developed by a lab. Perhaps different labs, If I interpret Frank correctly, we have all three answers and the correct answer is "all of the above"

bvy · Mar 2, 2017

My thought is that the color of the base is acting as its own (built in) multigrade filter -- such that, if I'm printing through one like it, I'm just adding neutral density. And, if so, that it might reduce the effect other filters will have. If any of this is the case, then it seems like I need to alter my printing strategy for XP2.

Perhaps I'll try contact printing a step wedge through a clear piece of XP2 base and then through a clear piece of regular film base, and compare the results.

winger · Mar 2, 2017

It's been a few years since I printed anything from XP2, but I don't think it behaved any differently than regular B&W film. But I don't know that I've tried split filtering with it.

bvy · Mar 2, 2017

I guess I'm being pedantic. I did some testing. The film base produces a range of tones comparable to a grade 2 filter or white light.

So now the dilemma is to deal with the painfully long print times or print wide open.

Is XP2 Film Base acting like a Multigrade Filter?

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