After reviewing other posts, I appear to have a similar experience regarding very short exposure times. Rather than hijack someone else's post to get input, I created a new one.
Here's my situation: I'm getting 4-6 second exposures on 4x6 prints (my preferred print size) at f/16 or 2-3 seconds if I use f/11. I feel this is too quick and leaves me limited time to work with the print. Using f/16 or f/22 may introduce diffraction although I didn't see any on my f/16 prints.
My setup is as follows:
2-1/4 x 3-1/4 negatives (6x9) - developed specifically for condenser enlarging (about 15% time correction, result is about a grade 2 negative)
Omega D-II enlarger
PH211 75W enlarger bulb (probably halfway through its lifespan)
161mm Kodak Ektanon enlarging lens
6-1/2 inch condenser (appropriate for 161mm lens)
4-1/2 inch lens cone (appropriate for 161mm lens)
Ilford Multigrade RC glossy paper (their latest version)
Ilford Multigrade filters below the lens (usually in the 1 to 2 filter range)
Dektol developer @ normal dilution for 90 seconds
I know I'm making relatively small enlargements off a large negative (rough math says this is about about 2x enlargement) which means the enlarger might be just too bright at this setting despite the 161mm lens. I do have a 7.5 inch Kodak Ektanon enlarging lens (190mm) but the Omega D-II lacks the ability to correctly use it (rails too short, lens cones too short, condensers not optimal).
Research on this forum has suggested the following:
1) Use an ND filter to increase exposure times
2) Reduce lamp intensity through a resistor or variac
3) Use a different bulb (fairly certain there isn't a lower wattage equivalent for the PH211)
4) Use a slower paper (haven't researched this possibility)
My question: Are there any other things to consider to lengthen my exposures to the 10-15s range and bring my f-stop down to f-11 to avoid diffraction?
Thank you!
Dan
Here's my situation: I'm getting 4-6 second exposures on 4x6 prints (my preferred print size) at f/16 or 2-3 seconds if I use f/11. I feel this is too quick and leaves me limited time to work with the print. Using f/16 or f/22 may introduce diffraction although I didn't see any on my f/16 prints.
My setup is as follows:
2-1/4 x 3-1/4 negatives (6x9) - developed specifically for condenser enlarging (about 15% time correction, result is about a grade 2 negative)
Omega D-II enlarger
PH211 75W enlarger bulb (probably halfway through its lifespan)
161mm Kodak Ektanon enlarging lens
6-1/2 inch condenser (appropriate for 161mm lens)
4-1/2 inch lens cone (appropriate for 161mm lens)
Ilford Multigrade RC glossy paper (their latest version)
Ilford Multigrade filters below the lens (usually in the 1 to 2 filter range)
Dektol developer @ normal dilution for 90 seconds
I know I'm making relatively small enlargements off a large negative (rough math says this is about about 2x enlargement) which means the enlarger might be just too bright at this setting despite the 161mm lens. I do have a 7.5 inch Kodak Ektanon enlarging lens (190mm) but the Omega D-II lacks the ability to correctly use it (rails too short, lens cones too short, condensers not optimal).
Research on this forum has suggested the following:
1) Use an ND filter to increase exposure times
2) Reduce lamp intensity through a resistor or variac
3) Use a different bulb (fairly certain there isn't a lower wattage equivalent for the PH211)
4) Use a slower paper (haven't researched this possibility)
My question: Are there any other things to consider to lengthen my exposures to the 10-15s range and bring my f-stop down to f-11 to avoid diffraction?
Thank you!
Dan