Polymax Polycontrast Multigrade

I have three sets of filters, and when I look at them they seem to be different colors for the grades. I am wondering if the Kodak filters could be used with other multigrade papers and what differences there may be.

Marvin said:

I have three sets of filters, and when I look at them they seem to be different colors for the grades. I am wondering if the Kodak filters could be used with other multigrade papers and what differences there may be.
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You can mix and match filter and paper manufacturers.A 'grade'2 may not match another 'grade' 2 but2 will always be softer than 3.The exact number doesn't matter anyway.

Thanks Ralph guess just have to test with the different filters. The Polymax are 6 inch so they will fit the filter drawer on my C23 enlarger.

It would also be an option to split-grade with the (tested) highest and lowest contrast filters across the different sets of filters, if they will all fit the same enlarger of course.

I've only used the Ilford filters and not the Kodak. It should however be noted that the Ilford filters contain neutral density to speed match them on a print highlight and also so that G4 and up require twice the exposure than grades below. It is quite possible that the kodak filters, especially older ones are not speed matched on same density so the same grade would appear to have different colour/density. Until you test them out you won't know exactly how they perform.

At the risk of pedantry...

"Multigrade" is Ilford's trademark.

"Polycontrast" and "Polymax" are Kodak trademarks.

Other manufacturers have had their own trademarks.

The generic term is variable contrast.