Hedd-wyn
14-Mar-2016, 09:07
Hi, New to large format. I have standardized on two variable contrast papers. A resin coated, that being Ilford Multigrade IV RC DE LUXE Glossy and a fiber based, that being Oriental Seagull VC-FB II Glossy.
The rc paper is relatively inexpensive and I will use it to experiment and hone my experience. The fb is a lot more expensive and I am saving it for those negatives I want to print and display
I am using a stabilized Aristo VCL 4500 dual cold light head with a Metrolux II controller.
I am shooting 4X5 Tri-x 320TXP rated at 160 and developing in daylight using a Uniroller drum and roller. I am using HC 110 1:63 dilution H for the film and Dektol 1:2 for the paper.
I have done all the testing for personal film speed, proper proof, and film development times as outlined by Fred Picker.
To produce a Zone VIII on the Ilford rc paper i have to develop my film for 4:45 minutes. This gives me a grey tone slightly darker than the paper base white.
To produce the same Zone VIII tone on the Oriental fb paper I have to develop my film for 6:00 minutes.
Here is my conundrum. I read on the threads of people printing their negative on one type of paper, not liking the colour or surface texture then switching around and using a different paper and if they don't like this then they might try the negative on a third type of paper.
How are they able to do this when my testing seems to show me that the development time for the film is very specific to the paper one is using. In my case there is a 1:15 minute film development difference between producing the same tones on the rc and fb papers.
Does one always have to decide ahead of time which paper is going to be used for the negative one is about to shoot and develop accordingly? That seems to be really limiting but I don't see any way arouind it Am I missing something?
Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
The rc paper is relatively inexpensive and I will use it to experiment and hone my experience. The fb is a lot more expensive and I am saving it for those negatives I want to print and display
I am using a stabilized Aristo VCL 4500 dual cold light head with a Metrolux II controller.
I am shooting 4X5 Tri-x 320TXP rated at 160 and developing in daylight using a Uniroller drum and roller. I am using HC 110 1:63 dilution H for the film and Dektol 1:2 for the paper.
I have done all the testing for personal film speed, proper proof, and film development times as outlined by Fred Picker.
To produce a Zone VIII on the Ilford rc paper i have to develop my film for 4:45 minutes. This gives me a grey tone slightly darker than the paper base white.
To produce the same Zone VIII tone on the Oriental fb paper I have to develop my film for 6:00 minutes.
Here is my conundrum. I read on the threads of people printing their negative on one type of paper, not liking the colour or surface texture then switching around and using a different paper and if they don't like this then they might try the negative on a third type of paper.
How are they able to do this when my testing seems to show me that the development time for the film is very specific to the paper one is using. In my case there is a 1:15 minute film development difference between producing the same tones on the rc and fb papers.
Does one always have to decide ahead of time which paper is going to be used for the negative one is about to shoot and develop accordingly? That seems to be really limiting but I don't see any way arouind it Am I missing something?
Your comments will be greatly appreciated.