Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123
Results 21 to 29 of 29

Thread: Contact printing light source?

  1. #21

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    VC Contact Printing Source by Nokton48, on Flickr

    I saw that Tim Layton built this unit, so followed his lead and I had fun building this. The ulility light was $10 at Home Depot, I removed the clamp mechanism. The box is made from foam core board and masking tape. I put my Multigrade 6x6" #00 & #5 variable contrast filters in cardboard frames, so I can change the filtering out by touch, under the dark safelights.

    I tried a 7.5W bulb, amazingly way too bright for RC VC paper. So I ordered ROSCO ND sheets from B&H, in .6 and .3 densities. About a thirty second or longer time is what I am looking for, so I have time for burning and dodging.

    The four suspension wires keeps the box level and keeps it from swinging around in the dark.
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  2. #22

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Gihl_190329_0076.jpg 
Views:	48 
Size:	35.8 KB 
ID:	200354


    I also made this box by getting information from Tim Layton's web page.
    At the top is GE Lighting's 41267 incandescent bulb, which is controlled by a Leviton TBL03-10E Tabletop Slide Control Lamp Dimmer and a Nearpow Digital 7-day Programmable Timer.
    - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752PHMTL/
    - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A80756O/

    Anyway, the bulb brightness was unstable and I ordered an Intrepid 4x5 Enlarger Kit last year.
    Chamonix 45N-2, Chamonix 45H-1

  3. #23
    Bertha DeCool Bertha DeCool's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Cape Cod, MA, US
    Posts
    51

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Unkefer View Post
    So I ordered ROSCO ND sheets from B&H, in .6 and .3 densities. About a thirty second or longer time is what I am looking for
    Bingo. What combination of ND filters gives you approx 30secs?

  4. #24

    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Stevens Point, WI
    Posts
    1,553

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    The problem with most light sources, even enlargers, is the the light is far too bright for VC paper, especially if you want to dodge/burn anything. Not the easiest thing to do with 5x7 but much harder with short enlarging times. If you can find one, an RH Designs paper fllasher

    http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/darkroom/...erflasher.html

    should work well. Get some Blue Tack or other adhesive to mount it in the appropriate position. You can test the proper height to get the desired base exposure, or perhaps test different heights to adjust exposure. It is a very dim light that is diffuse.

  5. #25

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bertha DeCool View Post
    Bingo. What combination of ND filters gives you approx 30secs?
    Well I've been trying to find time for more printing. I can let you know. I have extra material left over and could send you some. Send me a PM if interested.

    Garden of the Gods 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

    My first attempt at split grade contact printing, with the above printing box.

    14 seconds with the #00 filter, and 7 seconds with the #5 filter. No ND filtering, and printing times are too short for my tastes. Promaster RC VC paper Multigrade dev 1:7
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
    ― Mark Twain

  6. #26

    Join Date
    May 2021
    Posts
    1

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    Thank you guys for this information. Very useful topic. I will be doing some repairs on my house soon. Also want to do some cosmetic repairs in the contact print room. I will definitely heed your advice. I want to update the color of the walls and ceiling. The only thing I want to keep is the lighting in this room. Been looking for a long time for a soft light and bought a night light plug in to try it out. Since then, it has been an integral part of the room. It's very soft and just enough light, so I don't have to trip over everything. Probably the best purchase I've ever made.
    Last edited by Jesse61; 10-May-2021 at 01:58.

  7. #27
    Nicholas O. Lindan
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Posts
    462

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    I use a nuArc CP25 point-source contact printing light. It does have a filter holder, unfortunately it is a bit oversize for standard under-lens filters, however it can be adapted to take standard filters with a bit of cardboard and some tape. They pop up on ebay from time to time, sometimes at idiotic prices. Have ebay email you an alert when one does show up.

  8. #28

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Suwanee, GA
    Posts
    1,078

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    Since my darkroom is tiny I just use the enlarger raised to about 28 inches above the baseboard and stop down the lens 3-4 clicks. Blue/green are handled by the head and controller. 20-25 seconds is normal for my printing contact or enlarged, more if I need to do dodging in several places.
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

  9. #29
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,387

    Re: Contact printing light source?

    I have used enlargers without a lens

    I checked the uneven lighting with spot meter

    Made center filter on matt plastic sheet with pencil, checking as I went

    Easily got even coverage

    and controlled time by adding a paper filter
    Tin Can

Similar Threads

  1. Contact printing with enlarger as light source, contrast control?
    By Larry Kellogg in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 20-Jun-2013, 07:52
  2. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 19-Jun-2013, 19:09
  3. Contact printing light source
    By welly in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 19-Jun-2013, 11:58
  4. light source for contact printing?
    By Steve M Hostetter in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 30-Apr-2009, 16:01
  5. Using a 35mm enlarger as a light source for 5x7 contact printing
    By candy Popp in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 5-Jan-2002, 23:03

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
  •