Unsharpen mask

[rince]

Hi,
I would like to try some masking on a 4x5 neg I shot the other day. I bought some ortho film I want to use for the mask, but I do not have a densitometer. I tried to follow the explanation in 'way beyond monochrom', but I am a bit lost on how to determine the correct exposure for the mask. My original negative prints good with a 2.5 filter. If I understood correctly a common approach is to raise the filter/paper grade by about 2 . So following the book the mask should have a density of around 0.42 is this correct? How can I get in the ballpark without a densitometer?
I am sorry if the answer to my question should be obvious. Thank you for your help!

Kindest regards
Dennis


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[MattKing]

If you are working with Ralph Lambrecht's book, Way Beyond Monochrome, you may want to PM him here on APUG to direct his attention to this thread.

 

[rince]

Thank you Matt!

If you are working with Ralph Lambrecht's book, Way Beyond Monochrome, you may want to PM him here on APUG to direct his attention to this thread.

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[RalphLambrecht]

dear Dennis,
the mask should look like a faint positive.just bracket a few exposures to get close.you'll find that an accurate density helps but is not a necessity. to tell the truth,Iwould be lost in my darkroom without a densitometer.I use it for every print to get the shado density just right. thank you Mr. Heiland.

 

[rince]

Thank you Ralph, I will give it a try and see where I am getting with it. I sure would like to own a densitometer as well, but they cost an arm and a leg ... Thanks again for your help, have a great start into this new week everyone,
Dennis


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