LPL 7700 VCCE Multicontrast Enlarger - Guide for Multigrade Papers

Toyo · May 22, 2018

Hello everyone - hoping that someone can point me in the right direction.
I have an LPL 7700 VCCE Multicontrast Enlarger and am in need of some guidance regarding how to adjust the filtration for multigrade papers.
I do not have a manual and my internet searches have proved fruitless.
Any guidance is appreciated.
Many thanks
T

ericdan · May 22, 2018

I have the same enlarger. what are you looking for? what questions do you have?
manual

Toyo · May 22, 2018

ericdan said:
I have the same enlarger. what are you looking for? what questions do you have?

I am unsure which side to use for each multi contrast paper Left/right - kodak or ilford.
Also How do the values on the dials relate to contrast in the papers themselves - are they simply paper grade equivalents?
Thanks
T

ericdan · May 22, 2018

doesn't matter which one. Different dials, same filters.
I use the left one. from -1 to +6
I use 2.5 as standard contrast. Let me know if you find a better way to use it.

Toyo · May 22, 2018

ericdan said:
doesn't matter which one. Different dials, same filters.
I use the left one. from -1 to +6
I use 2.5 as standard contrast. Let me know if you find a better way to use it.

Great - thank you.
I'll give that a go
Regards
T

ericdan · May 22, 2018

I determine exposure time on a test strip at 2.5 then print half the time on -1 and half on +6.
I get good results that way with little need to dodge and burn.

ic-racer · May 22, 2018

Toyo said:
Hello everyone - hoping that someone can point me in the right direction.
I have an LPL 7700 VCCE Multicontrast Enlarger and am in need of some guidance regarding how to adjust the filtration for multigrade papers.
I do not have a manual and my internet searches have proved fruitless.
Any guidance is appreciated.
Many thanks
T

What paper are you using? The instructions for the paper should give you a baseline. Otherwise, just use the well common Ilford Multigrade settings.

Toyo · May 22, 2018

Thanks everyone for the feedback -
As for the papers - mostly Ilford multigrade but I do have some Kodak as well
Cheers
T

Jon Shiu · May 22, 2018

the scale that goes to 6 is for kodak, the one other one for ilford. The numbers are just equivalent to grades. The head uses a combination of magenta, yellow and cyan filters to try to keep the exposure times equal when you change the grade. Once in a while the filters can get hung up a bit and not move properly when you change the dial. You can free them up by moving the dial through the full scale and back.
To add: you'll hear sort of clanging/spring sound when the filter unsticks. I have 2 and they both do it sometimes.

Toyo · May 22, 2018

Jon Shiu said:
the scale that goes to 6 is for kodak, the one other one for ilford. The numbers are just equivalent to grades. The head uses a combination of magenta, yellow and cyan filters to try to keep the exposure times equal when you change the grade. Once in a while the filters can get hung up a bit and not move properly when you change the dial. You can free them up by moving the dial through the full scale and back.

Many thanks Jon - much appreciated
T

tedr1 · May 22, 2018

Perhaps you already know this but in case you don't here is a little history. Before multi-grade was introduced papers were made in fixed grades, low numbers are lower in contrast and high numbers are higher in contrast. For example grade 2 paper was for some brands normal contrast for use with normal contrast negatives. Grade 0 was a lower contrast paper for use with high contrast negatives. Grade 5 was a high contrast paper for use with low contrast negatives. Low contrast is also sometimes described as soft, and high contrast paper is sometimes described as hard.

Few brands now make graded paper, multigrade papers are common and the quality is very good. Not having to buy a box of paper in each size and each grade is a great boon.

You have one of the easiest contrast adjustment systems there is, VCCE is really easy to use.

Toyo · May 22, 2018

tedr1 said:
Perhaps you already know this but in case you don't here is a little history. Before multi-grade was introduced papers were made in fixed grades, low numbers are lower in contrast and high numbers are higher in contrast. For example grade 2 paper was for some brands normal contrast for use with normal contrast negatives. Grade 0 was a lower contrast paper for use with high contrast negatives. Grade 5 was a high contrast paper for use with low contrast negatives. Low contrast is also sometimes described as soft, and high contrast paper is sometimes described as hard.

Few brands now make graded paper, multigrade papers are common and the quality is very good. Not having to buy a box of paper in each size and each grade is a great boon.

You have one of the easiest contrast adjustment systems there is, VCCE is really easy to use.

Thanks Tedr - yes I have used the old graded paper before, but this enlarger is "new" to me as a hand-me-down and I am pleased to hear that it is so easy to use.
Looking forward to it.
T

Jim Blomfield · May 22, 2018

Although not part of your question, but because the enlarger is new to you, I would suggest that if it is not equipped with the optional fine focus knob you might look into geting one. It is an option that I have found to be extremely beneficial.

Toyo · May 23, 2018

Jim Blomfield said:
Although not part of your question, but because the enlarger is new to you, I would suggest that if it is not equipped with the optional fine focus knob you might look into geting one. It is an option that I have found to be extremely beneficial.

Thanks Jim.
I'll look into it - any recommendations on where to purchase this
Regards
T

PS - a little searching and I found one - CA$164 - ouch!
http://store.khbphotografix.com/Heavy-Duty-Fine-Focus-Control-for-LPL-4x5-and-7700-Enlargers.html

Jim Blomfield · May 23, 2018

Hi Toyo,
I managed to find mine, new, on ebay, but this was about 8-10 years ago. You are right, buying new from a dealer is not inexpensive.

LPL 7700 VCCE Multicontrast Enlarger - Guide for Multigrade Papers

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