Making a test-strip maker

fotch · Jul 15, 2009

Hey bowzart,
If you felt slighted or under attack, I was not intending to single out anyone person or persons. Nor do I question that some printers can do pretty good by using instinct, intuition, flying by the seat of their pants.

I usually make test prints however, there have been times that you just know what the exposure should be. In my case however, I have found making test prints worth the effort when I wanted the best prints I could make. Perhaps not enough experience or knowledge, doesn't matter, it works for me.

However, I am always interested to know a better way. I asked just to make sure that this was something to think about because pulling a print before the right time would of convinced me it was not.

Larry Bullis · Jul 15, 2009

fotch said:
Hey bowzart,
If you felt slighted or under attack, I was not intending to single out anyone person or persons. Nor do I question that some printers can do pretty good by using instinct, intuition, flying by the seat of their pants.

It takes a heck of a lot to make me feel slighted. No problem there. Didn't cross my mind at all.

Maybe you don't, but I question that anyone can print by instinct, and "flying by the seat of their pants" is not at all a reliable way to work. There may be a darkroom in Batman's house, but if so, I've never worked there.

I don't think you are quite getting what I'm saying. Sorry if I'm not being clear enough. If you have questions, it would probably be best to contact me via PM as I don't want to take up more space on this thread.

Wade D · Jul 16, 2009

BetterSense said:
When I do my test strips I have to cover up sections of the paper. The result is that the areas of different exposure are themselves on different areas of the image. I have seen plans to make a device that allows you to make comparisons using the same bit of image by making a test strip that slides across a slot. Does anyone know where I can see the plans or if you can buy such a thing new?

Looks like your original question has been answered and much more! That's the fun part of this forum.

youngrichard · Jul 20, 2009

Making a test strip maker

As promised, the weekend was wet so I made one to Ralph Lambrecht's design. I used 3 and 6mm MDF and it has come out very neatly. Only thing I would say, is put a shim of off-cut photo paper under the back of the hinge to lift the door up the thickness of the paper. Then it is perfect.
Richard

BetterSense · Jul 20, 2009

In that design, I understand that there is a slot in the top that the paper exposes through, and the device itself is not moved. But I don't understand how you slide the paper sideways under the slot to expose different sections, and how you know how much to slide it each time to prevent overlap or gaps.

Neal · Jul 22, 2009

Dear BetterSense,

I would look into an old Speed Easel (sp?). Add a cover with a slot using mat board or the like and pull the paper through after each exposure.

Neal Wydra

Steve Smith · Jul 22, 2009

Last week, I saw an advert for a Kodak Print scale.

This is a disc with various sections fitted with neutral density filters. The idea is that you expose a piece of paper with this on top for 60 seconds then read off the time setting for the area with the best exposure.

I am now going to make one of these as I have found some gel ND filters about 1.5" x 3" at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 stop densities.

Mine will not be as closely spaced as the kodak version (I think that one is half stop spacing) but it should give me a good idea.

Mine will give exposures of 42, 30, 15, 8 and 4 seconds from a base exposure of 60 seconds.

I will post a picture when it is done.

Steve.

Steve Smith · Jul 22, 2009

And it's done!....

Steve.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 24, 2009

BetterSense said:
In that design, I understand that there is a slot in the top that the paper exposes through, and the device itself is not moved. But I don't understand how you slide the paper sideways under the slot to expose different sections, and how you know how much to slide it each time to prevent overlap or gaps.

Lift the cover after each exposure and slide the paper along the edge to the next notch.

brian steinberger · Jul 28, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
Lift the cover after each exposure and slide the paper along the edge to the next notch.

Ralph, I read in your book that you use 5x7" paper of whatever emulsion you're using for the test strip printer. Do you find the emulsions usually match? Or do you have to test once in a while? Some people recommend running test strips from the same box of paper that you're printing from. Thanks.

Brian

Jeff Bannow · Jul 28, 2009

brian steinberger said:
Ralph, I read in your book that you use 5x7" paper of whatever emulsion you're using for the test strip printer. Do you find the emulsions usually match? Or do you have to test once in a while? Some people recommend running test strips from the same box of paper that you're printing from. Thanks.

Brian

Or, an 8x10 sheet cut in half would give 2 5x8 test strips.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 28, 2009

brian steinberger said:
Ralph, I read in your book that you use 5x7" paper of whatever emulsion you're using for the test strip printer. Do you find the emulsions usually match? Or do you have to test once in a while? Some people recommend running test strips from the same box of paper that you're printing from. Thanks.

Brian

Brian

Having used Kodak, Agfa and Ilford paper, I've never seen large deviations from batch to batch, but as paper ages it becomes softer and differences can become obvious. Rather than using 5x7 paper of the same type, it is much better, and not much more effort, to cut 5x7 or similar from the box that you're actually using. I don't recommend the previous practice any longer, and this will be corrected in edition 2.

Making a test-strip maker

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Wade D

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BetterSense

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