Marrutt CP450 - How to do a test strip ?

**Dave Tolcher** · 25-Feb-2015, 05:09

Hi, I am just getting started with contact printing with a CP-450. I have been pondering the best way to do a test strip as I cant do it the old fashioned way moving a bit of card. It seems sandwiching something like a Stouffer Wedge might work - something similar ? I would appreciate suggestions as to how to do it.

Thanks

Dave

**Liquid Artist** · 25-Feb-2015, 08:20

Although I don't do contact printing, why can't you do it the old fashioned way with the card between the paper and the light source?

The only difference I can see is the film it's self is also on the bottom side of the card.

**Jac@stafford.net** · 25-Feb-2015, 09:18

Stouffer Wedges are not particularly suitable for contact printing larger photographs because they are narrow. You could do it if you expose only selected parts of the negative using narrow strips of the print media.

You might surf for photographic step wedge.

My own attempts to make step wedges have been not been good, but perhaps someone brighter could help with a DIY.
.

**Dave Tolcher** · 25-Feb-2015, 13:35

The Marrutt has the light source on the bottom and a lid that locks down on to the back of the paper. To do the usual with a sheet of card would mean lifting up the neg and paper which are laid flat on the glass. I would never get it to go back in the same place. I thought that maybe a step wedge sandwiched between the neg and the glass would be the answer. I remember something that helped with exposure from the 80's/90's in this manner.