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  1. Epson Perfection 2450 still useable?

    I would like to put some of my 4x5 b&w images online. I have an “old” Epson Perfection 2450 scanner. I haven’t been able to make it work with my Windows 11 PC; apparently there are no drivers...
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    Re: life of photo flo

    I mix Photo-Flo in distilled water and keep it in a glass bottle and use it multiple times. Before using I hold the bottle up to a light and swish it around. If it’s completely clear it’s ok to use...
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    4x5 TXP missing edge markings

    I just started on a new box of 4x5 Kodak TXP and these sheets of film are missing the usual edge marking “Kodak TXP 320”. Is this the new normal or an anomaly? The images seem fine. Should I be...
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    Re: Do you recommend a water filter ?

    Yes. I’m on a well and have a “whole house” 5 micron filter. It catches an amazing amount of grit. Still, some gets through. I have two faucets in the darkroom; the one hooked up to my film and print...
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    Re: Grain focuser for tired eyes?

    Got the Peak magnifier today and tried it vs the Bestwell. The Peak is far easier to see the grain, brighter and clearer.

    One advantage of the Bestwell though is it’s much taller, making it easier...
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    Re: Grain focuser for tired eyes?

    I’m in Montpelier
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    Re: Grain focuser for tired eyes?

    Thanks folks. I found a used Peak at Catlabs, it will arrive this week.
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    Grain focuser for tired eyes?

    I’ve been using the same grain focuser for decades; a Bestwell Microsight III. Lately I’m finding that I need more magnifying power, especially with small prints from 4x5 Tmax negatives. Yes I do...
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    Re: Mixing My Own Chemistry

    Ohaus digital scale and plastic Dixie cups make weighing quick and accurate. Mixing your own is less expensive and more dependable. Artcraft is great and they have everything I need except Glycin,...
  10. Re: HC-110 new formula? Any comments on performance?

    When the new HC-110 started crystallizing in the bottle I switched to mixing my own D-76H. I had already switched to mixing my own paper developers when a bag of Dektol turned brown. Now the only...
  11. Thread: Hc-110

    by Edward Pierce
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    Re: Hc-110

    What I really liked about HC-110 was the convenience of being able to mix a stronger batch to increase contrast while keeping the developing time down to a reasonable level. But after a third bottle...
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    Re: Small clear spots on film

    I did check two tests straight after the fix, and there were no spots. But the effect has been very random. Some sheets have no spots, some just a few, and some have a lot.

    I can’t think of any...
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    Re: Small clear spots on film

    Update: It’s the bubbles in the print washer causing holes in the emulsion. I exposed a sheet of TXP to a grey card at Zone V. Processed it in a tube (I use both BTZS tubes and trays), HC-110, stop,...
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    Small clear spots on film

    I’ve been getting small clear spots on my 4x5 B&W negatives. It happens with TMX and TXP films, developed with HC-110 and D-23. I use distilled water for everything but the wash.

    The spots are...
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    Re: F/stop printing chart

    Got it, thanks
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    F/stop printing chart

    Anyone have an f/stop printing chart in pdf format you’re willing to share?
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    Re: Slosher Tray Technique

    The best adhesive for acrylic is acrylic cement. Weld-On 4 is “water thin”. Apply a small amount along a tightly fitting joint and capillary action pulls the cement throughout the joint. For...
  18. Re: Printing Ilford MG Classic and Cooltone with a Zone VI VC enlarger

    After continuing to experiment with different developer formulas I finally clenched my teeth, bought some glycin, and tried the Ansco 130 formula. Problem solved! Diluted 1+2 I’m able to get plenty...
  19. High contrast film for double exposure?

    Not sure how to go about doing this. I have a good negative of a thundercloud. I’d like to make a high contrast negative of something in silhouette - a bare tree perhaps. My idea is to print the...
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    F-6 fixer without hardener

    I’ve been using the F-6 fixer formula, with half the recommended amount of alum, for a long time. I like it because I can barely smell it. I’ve read that prints will tone & wash better without any...
  21. Re: Printing Ilford MG Classic and Cooltone with a Zone VI VC enlarger

    Wow it’s been decades since I’ve done any flashing. I’ll try it.

    I am happy to report however that using a soft developer, or divided developer, works quite well. Classic paper developed in Ansco...
  22. Re: Printing Ilford MG Classic and Cooltone with a Zone VI VC enlarger

    The Zone VI unit has two light grids.
  23. Re: Printing Ilford MG Classic and Cooltone with a Zone VI VC enlarger

    I have not tried a filter. Wouldn’t a green filter work better to reduce contrast?
  24. Re: Printing Ilford MG Classic and Cooltone with a Zone VI VC enlarger

    Yes, switching to split printing was my first impulse, and I did a lot of work that way. It’s not really ideal, for me, as I like to burn with intermediate grades. Figuring this out with split...
  25. Printing Ilford MG Classic and Cooltone with a Zone VI VC enlarger

    I have a Zone VI Type II VC enlarger. To achieve a “normal” or “grade 2” print with a normal full scale negative on Ilford Cooltone or Classic, I have to turn the contrast controls almost all the way...
  26. Re: "Poll" Question: Do you use a footswitch for your enlarger?

    Yes a footswitch is very helpful.

    This brings up a question that’s been nagging me for quite a while.

    My first two enlarger setups, for graded papers, used a footswitch with a tik-tock...
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    Re: Repairing a B&W filter

    Yes Doremus, it is threaded. Took stronger light to see it. I’ve screwed it back together and the glass is no longer loose. I’d like to screw it in a little tighter to make sure it’s secure but...
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    Re: Repairing a B&W filter

    No, the inner ring snaps in. But it’s not really fitting very tightly. It’s staying together but seems like it could easily come apart again
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    Repairing a B&W filter

    I dropped a brand new B&W 82mm yellow filter on the floor. The inner and outer rings came apart and incredibly the filter is undamaged. I pressed it all back together but the glass is now loose...
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    Re: LED darkroom bulbs?

    I recently switched to using the S11 bulbs from superbrightleds. They’re very bright. I bounce them off the ceiling, which is white and rather low. First I tested two amber bulbs with Ilford MGFB...
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    Re: Zone VI Type II power switch

    Thank you. My switch setup matches your description. I’m relieved to hear that I can pull the switch out without having to disassemble the head. Sounds like there might be enough wire length to work...
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    Zone VI Type II power switch

    The power switch in the head of my Zone VI Type II enlarger just stopped working. Fortunately it’s stuck in the “on” position, so I can still use it with a switched power strip. Has anyone ever tried...
  33. Re: Zone VI Compensating Developer Timer footswitch issue

    Thanks Richard, I found them on the McMaster Carr site. Can you tell me which one I need? The switch I have, which has worked fine for 25 years, is the momentary type that springs back
  34. Zone VI Compensating Developer Timer footswitch issue

    I’ve been having an intermittent issue with the footswitch.

    In normal operation, turning on the power to the timer turns on the display at 0:00, where it waits. Pressing and releasing the...
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    Re: 8x10 BTZS tube film scratches

    I got scratches using the 4x5 black tubes. I think they were caused by sliding the film into and out of the tubes. Although I never found that these scratches affected print quality, it made me...
  36. Re: Ilford Multicontrast Classic FB/selenium toner

    I use it 1:10 for 2-8 minutes, keeping an untoned print handy for reference
  37. Re: Calibrating a Zone VI compensating developer timer

    So the "RTCAL" on the right is real time calibration, and "PCAL" on the left is the compensation factor, thank you.

    I actually have two of these timers. Timer B is my original one, which went...
  38. Calibrating a Zone VI compensating developer timer

    My zone vi compensating developer timer is running too fast at higher temperatures. It works well enough from about 66F to 70F. Inside the unit there are two adjustment screws labeled PCAL and RTCAL....
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    Free depth of field app for iphone?

    I’m working on some close-up images with 4x5. Any recommendations on a free depth of field calculator for iphone?
  40. Re: New HC110 Liquid Same as Old HC110 Syrup?

    The new formula does not keep as well as the old syrup. I opened a bottle of the new stuff a few months ago, used about half of it, and now find that the remainder has formed crystals in it. I tried...
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