Hi there folks. Here's a little enlarging/printing problem I've been having.
Recently a friend of mind gave me a 6x9 carrier with along with an ancient (but nearly new) 105mm lens for my Beseler. Eager to try these out, I decided to make an 8x10" print on variable FB paper for the first time, since until now I had been using strictly RC paper.
After exposing a test strip at f/8, I developed/fixed/washed accordingly but was surprised to see nothing. Not even the thinnest of shadows had popped through in my longest exposed area. Frustrated, I kept opening my lens until I was at its widest and only after a minute exposure (that's right, a minute!) I got something.
Here's what I've been doing right:
So, what am I doing wrong? I've made 8x10" prints from 35's before with ease.
Does FB paper expose more slowly? Are 1min+ exposures common?
Is it the lens? I didn't want to try to a shorter lens because I didn't want to lose coverage.
Is 8x10" too big of a size for 6x9 negatives since the head had to be so high for cropping?
Should I try to make a smaller 5x7" print with the same lens and negative and call it good?
Boy am I confused! I hope someone can share their insight on this, or my signature at the bottom will look pretty silly!
Recently a friend of mind gave me a 6x9 carrier with along with an ancient (but nearly new) 105mm lens for my Beseler. Eager to try these out, I decided to make an 8x10" print on variable FB paper for the first time, since until now I had been using strictly RC paper.
After exposing a test strip at f/8, I developed/fixed/washed accordingly but was surprised to see nothing. Not even the thinnest of shadows had popped through in my longest exposed area. Frustrated, I kept opening my lens until I was at its widest and only after a minute exposure (that's right, a minute!) I got something.
Here's what I've been doing right:
- Used a decently exposed neg. Nothing too dense to make a long exposure.
- Mixed my developer at standard room temp from a new bottle.
- Used a normal #2 filter, so no long exposures for using a higher grade.
- Developed all test strips at the manufacturer's given time for the developer.
So, what am I doing wrong? I've made 8x10" prints from 35's before with ease.
Does FB paper expose more slowly? Are 1min+ exposures common?
Is it the lens? I didn't want to try to a shorter lens because I didn't want to lose coverage.
Is 8x10" too big of a size for 6x9 negatives since the head had to be so high for cropping?
Should I try to make a smaller 5x7" print with the same lens and negative and call it good?
Boy am I confused! I hope someone can share their insight on this, or my signature at the bottom will look pretty silly!