Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 1999
    Posts
    1,094

    Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    Does anyone know if Ilford's multi-contrast filter set would match the results I get with my old Kodak Polycontrast filter set? Specifically, I need to know if Ilford's No. 0 contrast filter would give me the same results as Kodak's No. 0 Polycontrast filter. I use the Kodak filter to absorb the heavy blue light coming out of my old cold light head. It gives me fairly good normal contrast, but it's scratched and smudged.
    I'd like to replace it with a set of new Ilford filters, but in online product photos, Ilford's No. 0 filter doesn't look very yellow to me. But that might be just the way it looks on computer screen.
    Could someone using Ilford's filters advise me on this?
    I sent an email to Ilford, but have not heard back from them.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Purcellville, VA
    Posts
    1,784

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    Ben, I don't know that you'll get exactly the same. However, the color of the Ilford filters was changed many years ago, at which time they explained that the significantly paler color of the new filters was a result of engineering but that they would produce the same results, on Ilford papers, as the previous ones, with the addition of the 00 filter at the low end. They also said that the new set, except for the extremes (00, and, I think, 4 1/2 and 5) would produce the same print average exposure without changing time or aperture; the extremes require 2x the exposure.

    That said, I wonder why you need a 0 filter to compensate for your cold light head. Unless it's just the blue tube of a VC head, i.e., if it's a single-tube coldlight head, the old recommendation was a 40Y CC filter to get to grade 2. I use to use one at the negative stage, with contrast filters beneath the lens. It worked fine. when I started up again a few years ago, I decided, somewhat arbitrarily, not to bother with it and to tune my neg development to using just the straight cold light. My reasoning was that it appeared impossible to buy a single 40CC filter any longer and that I couldn't afford a full set of 6" filters, if I could find one. I figured mine had faded anyway. I did some initial tests with and without, and gave the nod to shorter exposures. Printing variables are always challenging. I find that I can get achieve the control and results I want, even if I may make a few more adjustments. For instance, I need about 22% more exposure with a 1 1/2 than a 2 filter, all else being equal, to maintain a lightish Zone VIII.
    Philip Ulanowsky

    Sine scientia ars nihil est. (Without science/knowledge, art is nothing.)
    www.imagesinsilver.art
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/156933346@N07/

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 1999
    Posts
    1,094

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    Hi Philip -- Yes, I know the recommendation is the 40Y cc filter, but I found that the Kodak Polycontrast 0 filter works well for my methods. Without it, just using the old Aristo head (not the newer V54) alone (with VC paper), is like printing with a built-in high-contrast filter. For me at least, I can't see where the 40Y would give me any better normal contrast than what I'm getting from the Kodak No. 0. It tames the blue light coming out of that head pretty well, at least to my eyes. But I guess I should try a 40Y and compare the two.
    I hadn't realized that Ilford had changed the color of their contrast filters. Was looking at purchasing a set of Ilford's 6-inch-square filters, but hesitated when I noticed the filter colors in product photos.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Purcellville, VA
    Posts
    1,784

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    I don't recall when the change was made; someone else will. Probably in the lat3 1980s or early 1990s.
    Philip Ulanowsky

    Sine scientia ars nihil est. (Without science/knowledge, art is nothing.)
    www.imagesinsilver.art
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/156933346@N07/

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Feb 1999
    Posts
    1,094

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    As a follow up to my original post, I see that 40Y cc filters from B&H are hundreds of dollars! Looks like I’ll be sticking with my Kodak Polycontrast No. 0 yellow filter to conquer the blue light from my Aristo.

  6. #6
    Paul Ron's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    692

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    ben, get the rosco filters. they are cheap and since you'll put it above the negative, it doesnt have to be optically perfect. i installed mine on the diffuser right under my cold light.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 1999
    Posts
    1,094

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    Paul, which Roscoe filter do you use? B&H shows a bunch of different yellow ones.

  8. #8
    Paul Ron's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    692

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    click on the color patch on the rosco site for the tech specs. this filter also comes in a 15ycc

    https://us.rosco.com/en/products/fil...olor-30-yellow

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...er_Yellow.html

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Feb 1999
    Posts
    1,094

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    Thanks, Paul. I appreciate the info.

  10. #10
    ic-racer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    6,737

    Re: Ilford's multi-contrast filters

    Quote Originally Posted by Ben Calwell View Post
    Does anyone know if Ilford's multi-contrast filter set would match the results I get with my old Kodak Polycontrast filter set? Specifically, I need to know if Ilford's No. 0 contrast filter would give me the same results as Kodak's No. 0 Polycontrast filter. I use the Kodak filter to absorb the heavy blue light coming out of my old cold light head. It gives me fairly good normal contrast, but it's scratched and smudged.
    I'd like to replace it with a set of new Ilford filters, but in online product photos, Ilford's No. 0 filter doesn't look very yellow to me. But that might be just the way it looks on computer screen.
    Could someone using Ilford's filters advise me on this?
    I sent an email to Ilford, but have not heard back from them.
    I use a Rosco Yellow 4530 filter with my old cold light head.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Screen Shot 2019-03-12 at 8.31.35 PM.jpg 
Views:	26 
Size:	43.9 KB 
ID:	209207

Similar Threads

  1. Flashing still used with Multi-Contrast papers ??
    By Steve Sherman in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 25-Apr-2020, 10:51
  2. How powerful are Multi-Contrast papers
    By Steve Sherman in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 26-Feb-2018, 17:21
  3. Ilford 500 Multi Contrast Head Question
    By Michael Kadillak in forum Darkroom: Equipment
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 21-Oct-2017, 17:59
  4. Where to find 8x10 multi-contrast filters?
    By Pawlowski6132 in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 29-Aug-2012, 14:28
  5. Multi contrast paper - contact printing?
    By pbryld in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 13-May-2012, 14:19

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
  •