zone system film testing with heiland splitgrade controller

monk · Oct 20, 2015

got a heiland splitgrade controler since a couple of days,,and since its here,and its a "high quality analyser"i thought to test the E.I. of my films.
wondered,anyone has a splitgrade here who did the same?any thoughts on it?
Cheers!
monk

RobC · Oct 20, 2015

test your negs and paper combination without any filtration and then you'll get the papers natural grade. In the case of Ilford papers it should give you a natural G2 which is around ISO(R) 105 if memory serves me correctly.

Having said that, there are those who like contrastier negs than "normal" for split grade printing but your device comes pre-calibrated for certain papers so I would start out with those calibrations until you've worked out how to do your own calibrations. Reading the manual is always a good starting point.

monk · Oct 20, 2015

sorry,did i say negative and paper combination?

Bill Burk · Oct 20, 2015

I don't have a Heiland SplitGrade System, but the manual indicates that you can read densities because the controller has a density mode (Dichtemessung).

In that mode you would put a negative in your enlarger and look for the area that is the most clear, take a measurement, then take other measurements to find their density difference from the first reading.

Using it as a densitometer this way will include flare, which will affect the "highest" density readings (like readings above 2.0 density).

This won't hurt your ability to read the thin parts of the negative around 0.10 density, which is where you will look when you are trying to find film speeds.

So it looks like you will be able to use the system as a densitometer.

monk · Oct 21, 2015

Bill Burk said:
I don't have a Heiland SplitGrade System, but the manual indicates that you can read densities because the controller has a density mode (Dichtemessung).

In that mode you would put a negative in your enlarger and look for the area that is the most clear, take a measurement, then take other measurements to find their density difference from the first reading.

Using it as a densitometer this way will include flare, which will affect the "highest" density readings (like readings above 2.0 density).

This won't hurt your ability to read the thin parts of the negative around 0.10 density, which is where you will look when you are trying to find film speeds.

So it looks like you will be able to use the system as a densitometer.

Thanks for the answer Bill!
i forgot to mention a problem..i got a devere 504 with an ilford multigrade 500s connected to the heiland,that wont give white light at all..
if i focus with the enlarger(without filters)the light is green.maybe its a stupid question,but will it effect my reading?
Thanks again Bill!
AlltheBest!
monk

RobC · Oct 21, 2015

all the gear and no idea...

ask heiland how well your units work together.

monk · Oct 21, 2015

RobC said:
all the gear and no idea...

ask heiland how well your units work together.

i know that there are people who got a gear,and know it instantly how well it works to use it for different functions,and you might be one of them..
but me myself,im not..hope you forgive me.
btw..the unit works well together,since it was specially custom made by a heiland technician
any suggestion on the green lights effect on my measurement Rob?i know that its a stupid question,but i wouldnt ask it if i would know the answer,dont worry
Cheers!

RobC · Oct 21, 2015

what does "green" mean? does it mean only the green lamp is on or does it mean both the blue and green lamp are on but the resulting colour is greenish?

read the instruction manual for your ilford head.

You need a grade 2 setting to test your film speed with the paper. You must use your heiland unit in manual G2 setting mode to test your film speed.

hka · Oct 21, 2015

The lightsource color for metering is white.
Darkroom light off.
See page 9 of the manual!

ic-racer · Oct 21, 2015

monk said:
Thanks for the answer Bill!
i forgot to mention a problem..i got a devere 504 with an ilford multigrade 500s connected to the heiland,that wont give white light at all..
if i focus with the enlarger(without filters)the light is green.maybe its a stupid question,but will it effect my reading?
Thanks again Bill!
AlltheBest!
monk

Your density readings should be fine. Silver does not have a 'color' that would cause significant problems with the measurement.

monk · Oct 21, 2015

RobC said:
what does "green" mean? does it mean only the green lamp is on or does it mean both the blue and green lamp are on but the resulting colour is greenish?

read the instruction manual for your ilford head.

You need a grade 2 setting to test your film speed with the paper. You must use your heiland unit in manual G2 setting mode to test your film speed.

i meant with green that both lamp is on,and the result is green(ish)
my only question is now:would this green color have an effect on my measurement for zone system film testing?
Thanks a Lot!
monk

monk · Oct 21, 2015

hka said:
The lightsource color for metering is white.
Darkroom light off.
See page 9 of the manual!

Sweet Jezus!
i can just use my omega enlarger(that has white light)and just use the heiland unit to measure!!
Thanks Hka!

zone system film testing with heiland splitgrade controller

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