RH designs split grade printing

[yya]

Here is copy from stopclock manual:
(https://rhdesigns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SC-Pro-v85.pdf) page 21

You will readily see therefore that by adjusting the ratio of hard and soft exposures, you have continuous fine control of contrast down to 1/24th of a grade! The StopClock’s split-grade mode has been designed to help you get the best from split-grade printing with minimum effort. To get the best from the StopClock’s split-grade mode, Channel 1 should be used for soft exposures and Channel 2 for hard. Using Channel 1 and a soft (e.g. Grade 0 or 00) filter, establish an exposure for the highlights. When you examine the test strip, ignore all the image except for the bright highlights. When you’ve decided on the soft exposure, we recommend you switch to Channel 2 and set it to the same exposure time as Channel 1, so you start off with a grade 2 exposure. Press and hold Coarse/Fine until the display shows SPLT followed by on. The StopClock will calculate and display the effective paper grade in tenths of a grade briefly, e.g. “G 2.0”and then display SOFT before once more showing the soft exposure time. While Split-Grade mode is set, changes to the exposure in Channel 1 will be reflected in Channel 2, thus maintaining the ratio and therefore the print contrast. However, if Channel 2 exposure is altered, Channel 1 is not affected; the display will show the new effective grade and then the new exposure time.

I understood this function, I can change the channel 1 and keep same GRADE, But can anyone give me an example where I need to apply this function？ From what I understand, I've fixed the exposure for the soft（channel 1）, after which I might need to dodge separately in the soft and hard, but I don't see any reason to change the soft time and have the hard follow to keep the same grade

 

[mshchem]

I have a couple of these timers. I'm guilty of not fully understanding/using all the functions. It looks so easy on YouTube

 

[Pieter12]

Here is copy from stopclock manual:
(https://rhdesigns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SC-Pro-v85.pdf) page 21

You will readily see therefore that by adjusting the ratio of hard and soft exposures, you have continuous fine control of contrast down to 1/24th of a grade! The StopClock’s split-grade mode has been designed to help you get the best from split-grade printing with minimum effort. To get the best from the StopClock’s split-grade mode, Channel 1 should be used for soft exposures and Channel 2 for hard. Using Channel 1 and a soft (e.g. Grade 0 or 00) filter, establish an exposure for the highlights. When you examine the test strip, ignore all the image except for the bright highlights. When you’ve decided on the soft exposure, we recommend you switch to Channel 2 and set it to the same exposure time as Channel 1, so you start off with a grade 2 exposure. Press and hold Coarse/Fine until the display shows SPLT followed by on. The StopClock will calculate and display the effective paper grade in tenths of a grade briefly, e.g. “G 2.0”and then display SOFT before once more showing the soft exposure time. While Split-Grade mode is set, changes to the exposure in Channel 1 will be reflected in Channel 2, thus maintaining the ratio and therefore the print contrast. However, if Channel 2 exposure is altered, Channel 1 is not affected; the display will show the new effective grade and then the new exposure time.

I understood this function, I can change the channel 1 and keep same GRADE, But can anyone give me an example where I need to apply this function？ From what I understand, I've fixed the exposure for the soft（channel 1）, after which I might need to dodge separately in the soft and hard, but I don't see any reason to change the soft time and have the hard follow to keep the same grade

I used it all the time if I find the print needs an overall exposure change without affecting the grade.

 

[greg zinselmeier]

AFAIK, and what I do, is use green for highlights. Use test strips. To determine time. Also the same for blue. The times maybe different, but who cares if it’s grade. 3.2 or 3.12? As long as the print conveys the values and contrast of your desire. Than that’s all that counts. I don’t pay attention to the other s**t. You also need to remember that old developer will show different than fresh developer. So consistently will be needed through out the process. To arrive at a determined exposure. I think, thinking in grades is bad.

 

[L Gebhardt]

Here is copy from stopclock manual:
(https://rhdesigns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SC-Pro-v85.pdf) page 21

You will readily see therefore that by adjusting the ratio of hard and soft exposures, you have continuous fine control of contrast down to 1/24th of a grade! The StopClock’s split-grade mode has been designed to help you get the best from split-grade printing with minimum effort. To get the best from the StopClock’s split-grade mode, Channel 1 should be used for soft exposures and Channel 2 for hard. Using Channel 1 and a soft (e.g. Grade 0 or 00) filter, establish an exposure for the highlights. When you examine the test strip, ignore all the image except for the bright highlights. When you’ve decided on the soft exposure, we recommend you switch to Channel 2 and set it to the same exposure time as Channel 1, so you start off with a grade 2 exposure. Press and hold Coarse/Fine until the display shows SPLT followed by on. The StopClock will calculate and display the effective paper grade in tenths of a grade briefly, e.g. “G 2.0”and then display SOFT before once more showing the soft exposure time. While Split-Grade mode is set, changes to the exposure in Channel 1 will be reflected in Channel 2, thus maintaining the ratio and therefore the print contrast. However, if Channel 2 exposure is altered, Channel 1 is not affected; the display will show the new effective grade and then the new exposure time.

I understood this function, I can change the channel 1 and keep same GRADE, But can anyone give me an example where I need to apply this function？ From what I understand, I've fixed the exposure for the soft（channel 1）, after which I might need to dodge separately in the soft and hard, but I don't see any reason to change the soft time and have the hard follow to keep the same grade

You could use the function with a light meter to change enlargement size. Say you go from 8x10 work print to 16x20. Your meter would something like 2 stops less exposure at the larger size. You could adjust the channel 1 exposure by two stops and the second would automatically follow. You should then get a pretty close match between the 16x20 and the 8x10.

 

[yya]

I have a couple of these timers. I'm guilty of not fully understanding/using all the functions. It looks so easy on YouTube

Hi I know how to run this function, just don't know any reason to run this function

 

[yya]

I used it all the time if I find the print needs an overall exposure change without affecting the grade.

Can I understand that you changed your mind for some reason after confirming the soft time？

 

[yya]

You could use the function with a light meter to change enlargement size. Say you go from 8x10 work print to 16x20. Your meter would something like 2 stops less exposure at the larger size. You could adjust the channel 1 exposure by two stops and the second would automatically follow. You should then get a pretty close match between the 16x20 and the 8x10.

Thanks for your answer, you are right, much easy to make another print!