grain focusing problem

[fralexis]

I am enlarging 4x5 Tmax 100 to about 11x14. I am having an impossible time focusing the grain. I look through the grain focuser and can't find any grain. I have to focus without the focuser and hope for the best. Can it be that I need a better focuser? I use an older, probably cheap, focuser. Thanks.

[koraks]

I've never had much luck focusing on grain. TMX is virtually grainless, so I can see your point. I doubt a better focuser will make much of a difference. Usually there are some small and sharp details in a print that allow for uite precise focusing, even without a focusing aid.

[Liquid Artist]

Pretty much the same experience, which if you think of it is part of the reason why we choose LF.

However I have always found some in a light patch. Just move your focuser until you do.
I suppose that you could also use a magnifying glass to ensure some objects are sharp.

[chassis]

Agree with the comments that this film, at your enlargement, does not result in much grain to focus with. It's a relative thing. You will know when it is in focus by choosing and edge feature in the image, then racking the focus element back and forth while looking through the "grain" focuser. It's a feel thing.

[Rick A]

I always look for an area that has a high contrast distinction and try to make it as sharp as possible. A dark object against the sky or similar.

[plaubel]

Often there is no grain and less contrast in the negative.
If you are not in the lucky position to have a focusing tool like the one in a Durst negative carrier, you can take a selfmade master negative off high dense and with some scratches into the emulsion; this will bring focusing control to every print.

[fralexis]

plaubel,

I am using a Beseler 45 for large format. But what you said interests me because I have a Durst for medium format. Could you describe the focusing tool for me. On my enlarger there is a swing away red filter and then a swing away frosted filter. I never knew what the frosted one was for. It that it?

[jp]

A good focuser helps. Peak is the brand to get.
But tmax grain is pretty invisible, so use the focuser to focus an object instead.

[Thalmees]

You may fix every thing in the enlarger/easel, except focusing.
Put another grainy film in the same film carrier, smaller format may be better.
You may also use another sheet of 4X5 TMX, that has been developed for more grain.
Focus well.
Replace the grainy film with your TMX 4X5 film.
Hope this useful.

[koraks]

plaubel,

I am using a Beseler 45 for large format. But what you said interests me because I have a Durst for medium format. Could you describe the focusing tool for me. On my enlarger there is a swing away red filter and then a swing away frosted filter. I never knew what the frosted one was for. It that it?

No, that's not it. I think he's referring to the negative carrier that comes with the Durst 138, which has a cross hair embedded in one side that can be used to focus the negative stage. Only works well if you first calibrate the cross hair to be at exactly the same height as the negative (emulsion).

I forgot what the frosted filter is for; it's either for measuring overall exposure or set the white balance in color enlargement or something like that.

[Pawlowski6132]

Don't focus on the grain, focus on something in the image.

[joselsgil]

I don't know if anybody has mentioned this already, but I have noticed if I stop down on the enlarging lens, as opposed to having the enlarging lens wide open. I can then sometime see more grain in certain parts of the negative.

Also, as my eyes have aged, I have switched to a Peak #1 focusing aid. It has made focusing on the grain much easier.

Good luck,

Jose

[plaubel]

I think he's referring to the negative carrier that comes with the Durst 138, which has a cross hair embedded in one side that can be used to focus the negative stage.

Thanks, Koraks, that hair cross ( and some more marks) is exactly what I wanted to talk about.
Once calibrated, it works really fine.

The other thing I may throw in as a focusing aid is my reprodruction carrier; instead of blank glass here lays a glassplate with overall marks and crosses in the negative carrier.
Further it is a good tool to bring the board, the easel, in correct position to the head while focusing the center and the edges of the negative/print.

Without all this special tools and without grain and contrast in the negative, I would prefer a selfmade negative with some scratches.
With a Peak focuser you will bring the focus to the point.

Best, Ritchie

[JMO]

I also use a Peak #1 grain focuser under my Beselar 45 enlarger that has a simple diffusion head, and can usually pick out some grain in my TMX or Acros negatives (developed in D-76). But, admittedly, the grain is much easier to see, and use to assist focusing of the enlarger, with my TXP and TMY films. I was given some cheaper focusers by another photographer, but the Peak #1 is SO MUCH BETTER I threw those others away. I also agree with the suggestion above to not open up your enlarging lens so much when using fine-grain negatives like TMX, but rather close it down a stop or two and you should be better able to see some grain. It is rare that I have to rely solely on focusing on image details in the negative, but usually I try to focus on areas of the negative where I can see BOTH the film grain, AND some detail of the captured image, to assure me that I am properly focused. ....