Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Guy Bennett wrote: > > folks, > > a quick question regarding printing filters: is it possible to extrapolate > print exposure times when changing from one filter to another? obviously (i > hope), i'm talking about using graded filters with multigrade paper. > > for the record, i use ilford multigrade iv fb paper with ilford filters. if > my test print, made with a no. 2 filter, is too contrasty at, say, 20 > seconds, can i calculate mentally how long an exposure i will have to give > the same image printed with a no. 1 or 1/2 filter, or will this be a purely > empirical operation? > > thanks for your help and suggestions. > > guy A main issue is what is your reference point it. Are your highlight right on the money but you want to strengthen your blacks making them blacker by going up a half grade in contrast? This is a common way of working and thinking… A filter wheel is set up for when you are of liking your mid greys but wanting both ends; highlights and shadows to both expand or contract. But that's seldom the case. It's seldom in most peoples setups that changing contrasts doesn't result in starting from scratch in your print because of a loss of reference point. That's why I like split printing. Mark Rabiner