Placing multigrade filter directly on top of the negative, will it work?

Juergen · Jan 13, 2015

If I want to use a multigrade filter for contact printing 6x6 negatives, would it work if I simply placed the filter directly on top of the negative instead of holding in front of my light source? The latter works but is a bit awkward. The filters I have are about 9x9 so would easily cover the frame.

I've been browsing the forum and the world wide web for some time this evening but couldn't find a real answer. Help would be much appreciated, thanks!

Rick A · Jan 13, 2015

For that to work, the filter would have to be pristine clean, no marks, smudges, finger prints, or imperfections of any kind that would print through the negative.

Juergen · Jan 13, 2015

Thanks Rick, that answers my question straight away. Won't work for me

summicron1 · Jan 13, 2015

my enlarger doesn't have a tray for filters, so I just set it on top of the condenser inside the lamp housing. Works equally well for enlargements and contact prints.

cliveh · Jan 13, 2015

I would suggest that holding it in front of the light source is your best option.

Sirius Glass · Jan 13, 2015

I would hold it under the lens. If you place a filter on the negative, the focus could shift.

Roger Thoms · Jan 13, 2015

What is your light source? I ask because you may be able to make a simple filter holder.

Here's a couple of photos of a filter holder I made for contact printing.

Roger

Juergen · Jan 16, 2015

Roger Thoms said:
What is your light source? I ask because you may be able to make a simple filter holder.

Here's a couple of photos of a filter holder I made for contact printing.

Roger

Roger, my light source is actually an old Meopta Opemus 4 enlarger. It even has filter drawer but it's too small and I don't want to cut up my expensive multigrade filters to make them fit.

What you made seems pretty awesome though. It's lamp housing with card board?

Roger Thoms · Jan 16, 2015

Yes it is a small clip on type lamp housing and the filter holder is card board and masking tape.

Roger

Nodda Duma · Jan 16, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
I would hold it under the lens. If you place a filter on the negative, the focus could shift.

The focus will shift the same amount no matter where you put the filter between the lens and a negative. But it's a moot point in this case since he's talking about making a contact print.

Christopher Nisperos · Jan 27, 2015

Juergen,

It works fine. I just did it two weeks ago, when I was making (late) "Seasons Greetings" photo-greeting-cards by contact on a contact printer.

Placing multigrade filter directly on top of the negative, will it work?

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency