Paper negatives

[donkittle]

Thanks for your observations, Evan. That matches with what I’m seeing in that the mottling tends to be stronger in the overexposed areas of the image. I’m going to do some experimenting this aft.

Hi Peter,

I get the mottling effect too if I try to pull a MGIV negative early in a 'develop by inspection' manner. I have found that MGIV is only reliable for me if I leave the negs to fully develop by having plenty of time left in the developer. By not being able to develop by inspection, it makes calculating the exposure time more tricky as there is then no flexibility in the development phase. I have found that graded papers are much more forgiving and can be developed by inspection and pulled early from the developer if the neg was actually over exposed, without developing the mottling problem (I have graded Kenthene paper that works very well in develop by inspection).

Evan

[peter brooks]

Thanks for your observations, Evan. That matches with what I’m seeing in that the mottling tends to be stronger in the overexposed areas of the image. I’m going to do some experimenting this aft.

I've been wondering if the (old) developer was separating in the bottle and by not shaking it before measuring out I was getting a weaker mix to start with. Possible? Again, this was Ilford PQ Universal. I've got in the habit of not shaking because of the crustiness of a well aged Rodinal (mmm..., like a fine wine )

Which is a thought... has anyone used Rodinal for paper negs?

[NedL]

...
2] Given that my paper negatives are scanned as soon as they are dry, and the paper negatives are rarely if ever used again. Is there any point in fixing them? The paper negatives are developed using Ilford PQ Universal...

Perhaps someday you might enjoy making contact prints from them. I have many more contact prints from mine than scans....

[Emil Schildt]

However much I love my Ross Petzval lens from 1854, my biggest love is my Cooke series IIa...330mm F3.5
Paper negative 13x18

[Dugan]

^^^. Wow, that is beautiful.

[Emil Schildt]

^^^. Wow, that is beautiful.

thanks

[peter brooks]

However much I love my Ross Petzval lens from 1854, my biggest love is my Cooke series IIa...330mm F3.5
Paper negative 13x18

Outstanding, and unusual I think - the point of sharp focus is a wonderful contrast to the softer face, where most would concentrate on the eyes.

Lovely tone as well, is that is PS or a toner?

[Emil Schildt]

Outstanding, and unusual I think - the point of sharp focus is a wonderful contrast to the softer face, where most would concentrate on the eyes.

Lovely tone as well, is that is PS or a toner?

this is a quick ps treatment but real darkroom work is close by

[Emil Schildt]

Ross Petzval or Cooke SF lens
I'm torn...

ultimately I love them both - and this 165 year old lens is doing better than me - more than 100 years younger...
13x18 cm paper negative

[Emil Schildt]

Cooke 375mm f4.5

18x24 paper neg

Thea is her name