Led torch light for contact printing

**Dwarak Calayampundi** · 19-Jun-2013, 19:23

Hi everyone

I have recently got into large format currently using a chamonix 45f1 and plan to do contact printing. I don't want to buy an enlarger if I don't have to I also know that I will not be able to use the contrast filters. Will it be ok to use a small low intensity torch maybe even cove it with some kind of diffuser.

I will probable buy an enlarger at some point but not now.

**polyglot** · 19-Jun-2013, 23:33

You can use contrast filters; get the larger ones (I think they sell 6x6") and put them over the front of a reading-lamp housing and make your exposures from that.

LED torches are usually very blue so likely give you undesirably high contrast. Use an incandescent lamp of about 3600K instead if possible.

**Ed Bray** · 20-Jun-2013, 00:26

You will probably be better using an actual contact paper for this rather than multigrade.

The contact paper is a lot slower.

**Dwarak Calayampundi** · 20-Jun-2013, 05:55

Thanks for your advise guys I plan to get very low intensity like 15 watts bulb like suggested in a lamp with a trimmer I think that should do the trick. I will also look into the contact paper instead of multi grade thanks again.

**Brian Ellis** · 20-Jun-2013, 07:39

Fortunately with decently exposed negatives contact printing doesn't generally require the extensive dodging and burning that enlarging sometimes does. I say "fortunately" because I found it difficult to do complex dodges and burns when contact printing with an easel that had a glass top - reflections from the glass made it hard to see what I was doing except for large obvious areas such as skies.

I preferred VC paper for contact printing but mainly because I could use the variable light head (Aristo VCL4500) on my enlarger to adjust contrast,which wouldn't apply to you if you don't have an enlarger.

**Dwarak Calayampundi** · 25-Jul-2013, 13:43

Thanks Brian I ended up getting an enlarger after all I would like to do some enlargements but will start off with contact printing first. I got a lpl