Minolta mod 111 enlarger

[chip j]

What should I dial in for a grade 3 contrast on VC paper? Thanks for any help.

 

[Zathras]

What should I dial in for a grade 3 contrast on VC paper? Thanks for any help.

Can't give you an exact number, but I'd say try starting out with about 30 magenta and adjust as needed, increasing the magenta if contrast is too low. If contrast is too high, reduce the magenta filtration. Keep records of what you did, so you have a starting point for the next neg, or you want to do another print from this neg at a later date. You should also make exposure test strips when you change the filtration. If you switch to another brand of paper, you'll need to re test. A general rule is that magenta filters increase contrast and yellow filters decrease contrast. Do not dial in both magenta or yellow filters at the same time.

I have included a link that may or may not be helpful. I hope it is helpful to you. Check out page 3, since Tthis probably applies to your needs. http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006130201152306.pdf

 

[chip j]

Thanks, Zathras, that pretty much answers my question!

 

[MattKing]

Generally I don't recommend trying to match any particular fixed grade if you are using a colour head to adjust contrast with variable contrast paper. You cannot do that.

Instead, deal with your enlarger and the paper as a closed system. Pick one of the suggestions on that Ilford publication as a guide, and then get used to how your enlarger works.

 

[chip j]

Actually, I would think that you can fine-tune the contrast for a particular negative?

 

[mklw1954]

I have found the following to work well:
Grade 1.5: 0M+35Y
Grade 2: 0M+0Y
Grade 2.5: 35M+0Y
Grade 3: 50M+0Y

Increasing filtration will increase the exposure time.

And yes, you can fine tune in between these values, which is one of the advantages in using a color head enlarger for b&w.

Excellent enlarger, another high quality product typical of Minolta.

 

[ic-racer]

I use the Ilford chart for "DURST Max 170" with good results with my Minolta Mod III. Just use Magenta 150 instead of 170 for the highest contrast. At one point my filters would stick and not move back to position when dialing back to zero. It was easy to clean and fix. You might want to check that the filters move freely.

 

[MattKing]

Actually, I would think that you can fine-tune the contrast for a particular negative?

Absolutely. It is important to understand that the discrete contrast grade numbers were a reflection of the fact that before variable contrast, papers only came in those discrete grades. Your only way to fine tune contrast was to change developers or the entire light source. With variable contrast, variable light sources (like a colour head) and split grade techniques, there is much more control.

 

[chip j]

Thanks SO much, guys! I just got a like-new mod 111 for $72 at the camera shop in Kent, Ohio.

 

[Zathras]

Thanks SO much, guys! I just got a like-new mod 111 for $72 at the camera shop in Kent, Ohio.

Did it come with the C.E Rokkor enlarging lenses? These are outstanding lenses.

 

[bdial]

Actually, you can use yellow and magenta at the same time which is helpful to keep exposure (more) consistent across grades. The Ilford datasheet has suggested settings.

 

[chip j]

Did it come with the C.E Rokkor enlarging lenses? These are outstanding lenses.

I already have the Rokkor lenses, plus Leitz, Angeneiux, and every other one. The Rokkor seems a bit dated to me, but it IS luxurious! The link supplied to me above for the Ilford database didn't work.

 

[MattKing]

The link supplied to me above for the Ilford database didn't work.

I'm not sure why - it works for me.

 

[Zathras]

I already have the Rokkor lenses, plus Leitz, Angeneiux, and every other one. The Rokkor seems a bit dated to me, but it IS luxurious! The link supplied to me above for the Ilford database didn't work.

Chip, Here is the Information that best applies to your needs. It's from the PDF I posted a link to...

CONTRAST CONTROL
Page 3 of 4
USE OF COLOUR HEADS
By adjusting the yellow and magenta filtration on colour heads, it is possible to obtain a wide contrast range with MULTIGRADE papers.
However, the maximum contrast will be slightly lower as the filters used in colour heads are optimised for use with colour paper and not with
variable contrast paper. The suggested filtration in the following tables can only be a guide, because individual enlargers vary. The actual filtration for a
particular enlarger must be determined by trial.
Filtration types used in colour enlargers

 

[chip j]

Here's a manual---http://125px.com/docs/manuals/darkroom/misc/minolta enlarger.pdf