Prints Fuzzy

2Ldude · Feb 2, 2004

Can anyone tell me what is up with my prints?? While in the rinse tank they look pin sharp and after drying they look fuzzy and not anywhere near as sharp.

2Ldude

bmac · Feb 2, 2004

Can you post a scan?

2Ldude · Feb 2, 2004

Give me a minute to get scanner warmed up and I will do just that.

2Ldude · Feb 2, 2004

Pic is in the NonGallery as "Estes Park". The scan was small but represents what the print looks like now compared to sharpness while rinsing.

Donald Miller · Feb 3, 2004

What format camera was this taken with? (was it 35 mm, med format/120, or something else)?

Additionally there is an effect called "drydown" on a black and white print. The print darkens and dulls when it dries from what we perceive when the print is wet.

I believe that Les Mclean still has an article posted in the articles section that describe an excellent way to determine for yourself how to test and compensate for the effects of this on your paper.

Good luck.

bmac · Feb 3, 2004

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

Image was taken with Linhof Technica III with 300mm lense, FP4+ film, developed in PMK 1:1:100 (should have been 1:2:100 but thank god I was doing it by inspection), Forte FB Neutral tone paper in LPD mixed 1:2

I just printed the article about dry down and will read it later, I can see that I did not compensate enough for this effect but the article will help me learn more.

I have not noticed this fuzziness to this point or not to the extent that it ruined print, although I have forgotten prints go darker a time or two when dried.

Donald Miller · Feb 3, 2004

The other thing that may have happened in this instance is that you may have encountered the effects of lens defraction. Do you recall what your aperture was for the exposure? I have found that wherever possible I don't go smaller then F32 with 4X5 equipment. Defraction becomes more noticeable as degree of enlargement increases.

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

I believe it was on F32 or F45. Looking at the contact print doesnt show any sign of the fuzziness the print gives. Would only enlarging to 8x10 from a 4x5 neg give this amount of defraction if the lens was stopped down ??????? Any other causes you can think of that I can research would be much appreciated.

Aggie · Feb 3, 2004

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

I use a Magna Sight magnifier. I just checked the record book and the enlarging lens was set at F16. I always check to ensure the image is sharp before I hit the switch but I guess its possible that I could have knocked it while doing something else since the darkroom is so small (bathroom). How would this explain prints being pin sharp in the rinse tub and not after drying??? (effects of dry down as stated above???)

lee · Feb 3, 2004

vibration might cause it. I used to live near a rail yard and would have to stop printing when they ran their trains. The ground moved.

lee\c

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

I live in a quiet part of town so vibration doesnt factor in as far as I can tell. This still would not explain the sharp image in the water and not after drying.

Aggie · Feb 3, 2004

lee · Feb 3, 2004

sorry after I posted that I saw your post about i being sharp in the water. I vote drydown. Drydown will affect the contrast but not sharpness per-se. I would print it again and once you find a time where you like the contrast and density make another with about 10% less time. Then dry this print and see if it exhibits the same problem.

lee\c

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

Just finished reading Mr Mcleans article about drydown and will perform another test and print tomorrow night, it sounds simple enough although putting anything in the microwave at this house to speed up the drying process could come out smelling like pizza. I view the prints aggie in the bathroom in the same light that would be present if hanging on the wall and also view them after drying to see the same effect, not overly bright but not dark either

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

This is an add on question for Mr Mclean, how would you factor in drydown on split filter printing? Reduce each exposure at the selected grade by a portion of the overall percentage? Do tests on only reducing the exposure on one filter?

lee · Feb 3, 2004

2ldude,
you are correct in your assumption. Just figure the drydown on both exposures.

lee\c

2Ldude · Feb 3, 2004

Thanks for all the help. I will close the bathroom and open the darkroom tomorrow night and see what happens. I am going to take the neg and scan into photoshop and play with contrasts and dodging and burning to get an idea of what they all look like and then try to duplicate what I saw when I exposed the film

happysnapper · Feb 4, 2004

Are you using matte paper or any kind of textured surfaced paper?? if so, look no more...

Ray

Prints Fuzzy

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