Aristo D-2 + VC Papers... too contrasty ?

[ronald lamarsh]

I have heard that other papers like forte, adox vario G etc. actually test toward the soft end of the spectrum. According to the folks at J&C Ilford changed their VC formula and redesigned their filters to match some time ago and they don't give the even spacing with papers other than ilford. I have a set of the old dupont filters coming in the mail and will post as to how they work. My direct experience has been that european papers other than ilford tend toward the soft end............but I was using nasco 130 diluted 3:1 and pyro negatives. I have since gone back to rodinal and Dektol and have achieved plenty of contrast.

[Steve Sherman]

Hi Ken,

For years I have used an Aritso light on my 45MX chassis, the light has the high output Blue light (w54) designed for graded papers. For multicontrast papers I use Rosco theatre gels, medium green and medium blue to add light to the light source.

In other words, a CC Y 50 color correction filter will alter the color of the light by diminishing intensity, then you must use contrast filters which further decrease light intensity. I suggest and use myself additive light, by using in conjunction with one another pure green and pure blue gels. Yes, it does take some trial and error but the effects are rewarding. Split contrast printing is quite easy with this system.

Actually, it is a poor man's adjustable contrast cold light head made by Aristo. These light sources by Aristo are pure green (low contrast) and pure blue (high contrast) and mixed together with some type of rheostat.

I would suggest using additive light rather than subtractive light as a source.

[Ken Lee]

Thanks for all the info.

I contacted Aristo, and told them about the information on the Ilford site, which details their use of an Aristo W45 lamp and a CC40Y filter (recommended by Aristo).



Aristo told me that the W45 is an older lamp, which due to limitations of the art at that time (20 years ago) emitted a small amount outside the blue/green portion of the spectrum.



Due to advances, their current lamp (the one to which I recently upgraded), the V54, emits light only in the blue/green portion of the spectrum (no Red), and thus requires no compensation.



Aristo asked me about the age of my Ilford Filters, suggesting that my filters (aquired used) might have been made to match the older W45 lamp, rather than the newer V45 lamp. Aristo also pointed out that over time, filters can become discolored.



So here's another question: How to contact Ilford (whose datasheet seems to be obsolete) and ask them about compatibility with modern lamps ?

[Ken Lee]

I have written an open letter to Ilford on APUG.

Thanks for your help. Perhaps the best thing to do is adjust my negative development time and move forward.

[Kevin Crisp]

I tried using yellow filters (as suggested by Kodak and others) to get an older Aristo lamp to work with modern VC materials. I just couldn't tame the contrast. Arista did admit on the phone that filtering the old lamp probably wasn't going to do it and they were right. I relamped with the V54. I used Ilford filters below the lens, and above the diffuser in sheets (still Ilford) when using a lens too big for the swing arm holder on my enlarger.

With Oriental VC, the grades seem to correspond well with graded papers, this is a good combination. It worked well with Polymax as well (down to my last 15 sheets). Results have been as expected with graded papers, including old and new Oriental. I haven't tested for purposes of testing, but the spacing of the grades seemed appropriate and useful, I noticed no piling up of contrast on one end.

Arista EDU VC material is another story. (I assume this is rebranded Forte from Hungary.) The contrast can be brutal, certainly more than one grade harder than I expect. I still have range left in my filter set to tone it down (they go down to "00") and I really, really like the paper.

My only complaint is that the V54 tube is too bright. Sometimes (even with a dimming control) I have to stick a ND filter on top of the back of the lens.

[phil sweeney]

Hi Ken,

I use that lamp on a MXII. However with kodak filters. Using Iford multigrade most of my prints are grade 2 and occasionally grade 3. rarely grade 1. My target VIII density is 1.36 (HC110). I also use Ilford Galerie.

On speed most of my 11 x 14 prints are 20-40 seconds at f16. For 8 x 10 I stop down to f22.