Problems with Ilford MG IV RC paper and exposure times - help appreciated

Hi all,

I recently acquired a condenser enlarger with a couple of lenses for 35mm and med format. The problem I'm having is the exposure times for my Ilford MG IV RC paper are ridiculously short. Even with the lens stopped down to f16 the exposure time is less than 2 seconds? Can anybody explain what may be happening? Some facts to help:

- enlarger is a Carenar condenser with a filter draw (filter draw empty)
- bulb is tungsten 75w (is this too bright? that's what it seems like)
- lens i'm using for med format negs is Rodenstock Trinar 75mm
- paper is Ilford Multigrade IV RC
- Developer is Ilford Multigrade @ 1+9 at 20 degrees C

Any advice greatly received

Thanks

Simon

Size of the paper?

Print size 10cm x 10cm

Lens is approx 20cm above easel

Then it is normal - if you are enlarging medium format on 10x10 cm - times will be short. When I enlarge 35mm on 30x40 cm with 75w bulb - I get around 30-45 sec on f5.6 (another enlarger than yours, but anyhow)

Stop the lens as much as you can, and eventually get some neutral density filter. Dilute developer more is also an option.

Do you have color head on your enlarger? If yes - you can use cyan filter to make light darker (not 100% sure - others please correct me if I get this wrong).

Do you have color head on your enlarger? If yes - you can use cyan filter to make light darker

Click to expand...

No, its dial in equal amounts of all 3 filters.

mr rusty said:

No, its dial in equal amounts of all 3 filters.

Click to expand...

Thanks Mr Rusty .

Thank you.

Indeed, I just printed at 20 x 20 cm and the exposure time was much more reasonable. This seems such a silly thing to have not worked out, but I suppose when your in the darkroom counting the seconds logic sometimes goes out the door.

Using filtration will help, even if your goal is printing on grade 2, using the grade 2 filter will cut the light and give you more workable exposure times for the small prints. It will also make things easier when you want to adjust contrast, since the exposure times will be consistent.

Yes - the Multigrade filters certainly do keep things consistent, and I've now put my newly acquired Jobo Comparator to the test and got the best print I've made for a long time.

Thanks all.