Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: PMK and Variable Contrast Paper

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Posts
    1,905

    PMK and Variable Contrast Paper

    There have been several comments about PMK negs not working for variable contrast paper. The comments seem to be that the stain is too self masking for vc paper. The problem is that the film is not being developed long enough and does not have enough contrast. Just develop the film longer and you will have more contrast.

    steve simmons

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    505

    PMK and Variable Contrast Paper

    I develop my film for quite a while, as long as I can get away with usually. I've noticed with plain old PMK though that if you develop too long the entire negative picks up in density and no longer scoots the high end up alone, you do lose a bit of the sharpness as a bonus. Adding the 1/8th Tsp of Amidol(PMK+) does help contrast out quite a bit in addition to a small boost in film speed as I'm sure everyone is familiar with.



    CP Goerz

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Posts
    1,905

    PMK and Variable Contrast Paper

    The only film that may have a problem with base fog is HP5+. Otherwise, developing your film longer should not have the result you've described.

    steve simmons

  4. #4
    Yes, but why? David R Munson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 1999
    Location
    Saitama, Japan
    Posts
    1,494

    PMK and Variable Contrast Paper

    I've only had trouble printing PMK negs on Forte paper. Ilford and AGFA FB seems to do fine with it. Bergger, too. And these were BPF negatives, so image stain was very prominent.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    now in Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    3,618

    PMK and Variable Contrast Paper

    I get results I like using Tri-X, PMK, and variable-contrast paper. Even using an old-style (blue) cold-light. This system was tuned by years of practice, not sensitometry. I will say that ten+ years of working this way has led me to make negatives that print easily, most of the time. And these negs print easily on graded papers, with different light sources, as well. So it's a non-issue for me.

Similar Threads

  1. Cold Cathode light and Variable contrast paper
    By Colin Myers in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 18-Nov-2005, 00:43
  2. Variable contrast printing question
    By brian steinberger in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 9-Oct-2005, 15:47
  3. Variable contrast head
    By Richard Schlesinger in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 15-Feb-2005, 20:43
  4. variable contrast paper VS cold light filtering
    By Pierre Robitaille in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 6-Jun-2002, 21:01
  5. Saunders/Beseler enlarger/ variable contrast
    By Raven Garrow in forum Darkroom: Equipment
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 16-Sep-2000, 14:28

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •