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

[Juergen]

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]

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]

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

 

[summicron1]

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]

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

 

[Sirius Glass]

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

 

[Roger Thoms]

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]

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]

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

Roger

 

[Nodda Duma]

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]

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.