I've found access to this Elwood enlarger and wanted to print some of my negs in lieu of contact printing. I've worked on the set-up and have made my first print. The issue is the print times are extremely short, 2 secs plus some tenths is the limit at f/22-32 (min aperture) for the 11x14 height. The enlarger as high as possible, the light falloff might help with 16x20 but still would perfer some more time to expose. There is a flip-down 3-1/2x3-1/2 filter holder above the lens (access thru bellows with the lens removed) designed for the thin plastic Ilford multigrade filters. No manual. The filter mechanism looks homemade.
1. Looks like a slot in the Elwood head has been taped closed. Is there a filter tray in the cast iron head of the Elwoods, just below the lightsource?
2. Can I balance an Lee ND filter on the flip-up tray and hope I'm not as clumsy as usual?
3. Hold the glass ND filter below the lens. (Since this is the cheapest, I'll give it a try.) I thought above the lens was a better method, what am I giving up; sharpness, difficult method in wiggling fingers and holding the filter.
4. I also want to print some 5x7 and plan to cut a mask to fit the 8x10 negative holder. The head has working blades to mask the four edges. I would think a scanning-type mask would work or help? Concerned the mask thickness needs to be the same as the negative, might expose and fix a neg to make the mask.
5. Mount a large ND filter to the bottom of the light source. Expensive, no?
6. Am I missing sumthing other than a few marbles?
TIA,
David
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