Multigrade filter set for beginner enlarger/contact printer?

jay moussy

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Beginner enlarger and/or contact printer here, so I need a multigrade filter set of some sort.

What would be my minimum setup, given that I would be using Ilford basic print material?
Size compatibilty with above-lens on Beseler 23II (trim to fit?), but also with maybe homebrew light?

I need to force myself to jump into printing, have been avoiding it for a while now, so, need to educate myself and waste some in learning...!
 

albada

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If your homebrew light is LEDs that are individually controllable, then you will not need any filters because you can change green/blue brightnesses instead.
I love my homebrew LED lamp because it (1) doesn't get hot and warp the negative, (2) will not burn out, and (3) gives me all contrast-grades because I can set the green/blue levels.

But for a beginner, it's easiest to start with the common tungsten/condenser lamp. Then buy a set of Ilford filters and cut them down to fit in the enlarger's filter-holder. That worked fine for me. Just be careful to not get fingerprints on the filters.
Mark Overton
 

Sirius Glass

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If I were you, I would buy a set of filters such as Ilford's. I like the yellow and magenta sets personally.
 

Alan9940

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Sirius Glass said:
If I were you, I would buy a set of filters such as Ilford's. I like the yellow and magenta sets personally.
Click to expand...

+1

I used the Ilford Multigrade gelatin filters for years before moving to a dedicated VC head.
 
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