X-Rite Denstometer user

[saeedmahmoodraja]

Is there anybody in the San Jose/Bay Area who knows how to measure negative densities with x-Rite 361t Denstometer? I just purchased one and want to learn it's operation. Very much willing to pay for your time. Alternatively, please let know if there is lab that provides negative density measurement service. Thanks in advance.

 

[samcomet]

Does this help?

http://www.xrite.com/documents/manuals/en/391-500_390-391_Densitometer_Operation_Manual_en.pdf

cheers,
sam

 

[samcomet]

sorry I mean to send this url:

http://www.xrite.com/documents/manuals/en/361T-500_361T_Densitometer_Operation_Manual_en.pdf

 

[Bill Burk]

Of course slogging through that manual unguided could be painful.

Color: Choose Ortho (unless you do alt processes).
Ignore: DOT+ and DOT- (unless you do graphic arts halftones).

A typical routine with densitometers is to put the read head down on air and zero it.
Then put the read head down on a clear part of your film and note the reading as Base+Fog.
Zero it again, this time on the clear part of the film.
Then read the different step wedge values or parts of your negative and note readings.

Assuming your machine is factory calibrated and not complaining of dead battery etc., you may have immediate results with these steps. May come a time when you need to calibrate it. Hope you have the calibration strip for that.

 

[saeedmahmoodraja]

Sam/Bill,
Thank you for your helpful comments.
I contacted local x-Rite sales and service rep and arranged some training with him for a nominal fee.