[Leica] X-rite densitometer for Leica darkroom ;-)

[dpost at triad.rr.com (Dan Post)]

Alistair-
Quite all right, old chap! I didn't realize you were flush enough for a
Heiland Split-grade! (The last time I looked at their price, I nearly
dropped my Lagavullin on my Wellies, and that's fair dinkum!)
I do use an old Agfa press densitomer to check reflection density, and use
it with the step tablets to fine tune my system, and I am sure you will not
be frustrated further, though I am surprised that it (The Heiland system)
gives you spotty or inconsistent results with one of your enlargers(Is it a
diffusion enlarger?)- I was under the impression that it was easily
programmed for just about any paper/developer/filter combination if the
already installed program came up short.

As for the supposed crudity of the analyzer method, don't sell your Jobo
short. I used to use an X-810 to do density and color checks in a lab, and
the 18% usually was rendered with a reflection density of .68-.72 - The
human eye can only discern a change of about .03 (unless the samples are
right next to each other!) and I found the Beseler quite adequate enough, so
I am sure a newer model like the Jobo should be at least as accurate if not
moreso. I used to check test strips at work, then re-check them at home, and
was amazed that the reading of the $900 X-rite was not very much different
than the density I read with the enlarger and the analyzer! It is the same
principal- known light source through an unknown density, measure with a
light sensitive photomultiplier in a bridge circuit, with a calibrated
meter- the X-rite was digital, the analyzer was analog. Film densities were
perhaps + or - .02 reading with the analyzer , and the old Agfa densitometer
was about the same.
I don't know about you, but it seems 'good enough for government work' as we
used to say.

Granted it is not a fancy, or as fast as the Heiland system, but it works
for me!

I use a ACP200 for processing the paper to obviate several other variables,
and that helps immensely! I only wish I could run fibre based paper through
it!

Well, so much for my rambling- Good luck on your venture. I am sure you can
master it, standing on your head.... :o)

G'day from up here,
Dan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alastair Firkin" <firkin@ncable.net.au>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 9:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] X-rite densitometer for Leica darkroom ;-)


> Dan, thank you for the post. I do have analysers (I have used the z
> just to keep the spell checker happy, but the s works for me). One is
> the Jobo 7000, which I mainly use for colour work (note the "u" as
> well), but which in its testing mode actually reads the paper density
> as well. For that function it seemed crude. For the b/w  world, I have
> a "Splitgrade" system. It reads densities on the base board, and
> calculates the paper grade and exposure for various types of paper.
> This has helped me understand some of the world of "zones" but I'm
> still learning.
>
> On the Leica V35 , the Splitgrade is a dream, but on the Devere/Ilford
> MG500 it struggles to achieve the same consistency and tonal range. I
> have not fully worked it out. Jurgen Heiland sent me instructions on
> how to calibrate it without a densitometer, and I spent a good long
> weekend trying. Seems to me there are several jobs which "can" be done
> without a densitometer, and can be approximated with other units, but
> just when you think you have it right, the next variable hits. My e-zzz
> buy was only $180 of your dollars and iffffff it works should give me
> no more excuses ;-) I want to calibrate my camera light meters with my
> film/developer and printing so that I can get some consistency (after
> 30 years of playing around in the dark ;-) )
>
>
> Cheers, all help gratefully received.
>