Minolta Mod III enlarger Variable Contrast Values?

[JimPru]

I've pulled out my uncle's old Minolta Mod III enlarger recently in an attempt to get back into film photography AND the darkroom. I seem to remember a sticky note with filtration values and equivalent VC grades being stuck on the head, but it has disappeared since packing everything up 10+ years ago. Does anyone have a list of these values handy? Ilford's are for either max 130M or 200M, while the Minolta is max 150M.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[BMbikerider]

Multigrade Values

It looks as if your enlarger has a filtation value akin to the Durst values but I cannot be certain. Durst enlargers always had a higher number given in the filtration values

As an alternative think of '0' as being grade 2 which it usually is and then do test prints, first with '0' filtration Then with say 25Y and another with 25M then compare them. call these Grade 1.5 and 2.5. Make 2 more prints at 50Y and 50M compare them and call these grade 1 and Grade 3. So on and so forth, I am sure you will get the idea. All it needs is a bit experimentation.

Alternatively with each packet of Ilford or Kentmere paper there will be a sheet telling the filter values for enlargers with Kodak units and Durst Units. I would go along with what they suggest the Durst Units. Note the word 'suggest' is only a value which they claim. Different enlargers/lenses may make these values differ by quite a bit from what they 'suggest'.

 

[ic-racer]

I made my own table in the 1970s for Kodak Polycontrast. When the current Ilford paper came out I started using the "Max 130" table and it seems to work fine.