Pre Flashing print Problems, overexposed

silvercloud2323 · Jan 31, 2024

Hi all,

Just this night I tried to Pre Flash a baryta print.

Did everything as mentioned in guides :

Put the F-stop to f16
Put the negative carrier OUT of Enlarger(Durst M605)
Put the filters OF , so light gets through without the filters.

I made a test strip with pre flash , with increments of 1 second.

But from the first second, my test strip was already overexposed.

Problem: As i put the negative carrier out of the enlarger, it creates much light leak, with excessive light around.

Question : How to lower the exposure?

Thanx

Pieter12 · Jan 31, 2024

ND filter.

Ian Grant · Jan 31, 2024

Depends on the height of the column and size of enlargements. I use a second enlarger an M605 with the head quite high up the column. I flash in 1/2 second intervals.
Some people flash with the negative in place and a diffuser below the lens.

Ian

ic-racer · Jan 31, 2024

In addition to the above is the enlarger at the very top? Stop all the way down (will the lens go beyond 16?). Shorter focal length lens if you have one. Put the filters in place and crank them up (equal magenta and yellow).

silvercloud2323 · Jan 31, 2024

I have put the enlarger at top. Now it works!
Plus put the negative holder empty in enlarger.

Doremus Scudder · Jan 31, 2024

Not so difficult: Raise the head, stop down more and do another test strip. If that doesn't work, dial in equal amounts of yellow, magenta and cyan to create neutral density, start with 100 of each. Make another test strip. That should do it If not more ND.

Best,

Doremus

Patrick Robert James · Jan 31, 2024

Just get a low wattage bulb nightlight and put that up high. Wrap it with ND if you must. Attach it to your timer and then you only ever have to figure out your flash exposure one time for each paper. I never liked trying to figure out a flash exposure for each print that needed it. Total waste of time.

Vaughn · Feb 1, 2024

This is one of the few prints (16x20 graded silver gelatin paper, from a 4x5 negative) I have used flash on a print -- and only in the top left corner where I wanted it -- without risking the brightness and sparkle of the rest of the image. Nice to have that control, but can be over-done. Have fun!

grain elevator · Feb 1, 2024

Patrick Robert James said:
Just get a low wattage bulb nightlight and put that up high. Wrap it with ND if you must. Attach it to your timer and then you only ever have to figure out your flash exposure one time for each paper. I never liked trying to figure out a flash exposure for each print that needed it. Total waste of time.

I agree that a solution that doesn't require totally changing up your enlarger set-up is preferable (If this is your only enlarger). I've been experimenting with a weak flashlight bounced off the ceiling. Need to find a weaker one. I disagree that one flash fits all for each paper; optimum amount depends on the negative. The bit of light coming through the highlights may be just right to overcome the paper toe, or it may be too little.

Doremus Scudder · Feb 1, 2024

In lieu of flashing and since I started using mostly VC papers, I've found that burning areas with maximum yellow gives an almost identical result to overall print flashing, maybe even better, since it won't dump the low values as much. Plus, one can control the area being burned and relative exposure too. I rarely flash anymore

Doremus

Neal · Feb 1, 2024

When I pre-flash, I don't remove the negative. I use a piece of frosted glass and hold it under the lens.

pentaxuser · Feb 1, 2024

grain elevator said:
. I disagree that one flash fits all for each paper; optimum amount depends on the negative. The bit of light coming through the highlights may be just right to overcome the paper toe, or it may be too little.

Does that mean that you have to find the pre-flash time for each individual negative?

Thanks

pentaxuser

Pre Flashing print Problems, overexposed

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