Reflection densitometer for printing.

[chiller]

Does anyone on this list use a reflection densitometer to examine their prints and if so what method do you use.

Does the information help you in anyway with the relationship between the paper you use and the film developer you use.

I haven't tried this myself but the graphic arts industry do use similar methods and it occured that they may be transferrable to what we do.

Interested to hear if anyone has actually tried this or something similar they have developed.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I use one when testing papers. Based on the Beyond The Zone System methods I shoot for about 90% of a paper's DMax for the clear areas of the film.

It is very useful in fine tuning film development to a particular paper grade. I don't worry about this much if I am using VC paper.

 

[Joe Lipka]

The reflection densitometer is indispensible if you are using digital negatives for either silver or alternative printing. I don't see how you can create accurate curves without one.

 

[Donald Miller]

I use a reflection densitometer to determine the curves for a paper.