I have a Delta 400 Pro negative that's difficult to print (it was developed normally in diluted Ilford ID11 but the subject contrast is very high). Normally I use Agfa Multicontrast Classic FB but even Grade 0 is not soft enough. I have printed it on Ilford Multigrade IV RC at Grade 1 which gives lower overall contrast but the blacks aren't very good and I don't like RC anyway.

What I really need is an FB paper that has very low contrast at Grade 0 (lower than the Agfa) but I don't want to use Multigrade FB as it's too cold and the whites are too bright. Any suggestions, please?

Lawrence

-- Lawrence Impey (lawrence.impey@btinternet.com), February 23, 2002

Answers

I have run into this problem as well. I found the negative printed quite well on Forte Polywarmtone Plus with Ilford filter. In the future try giving less development to your negs. I now reduce my development times by 40% of recomendations. I'm using Kodak XTOL 1:1 & am printing with an Omega condenser enlarger. Good Luck, RO

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), February 23, 2002.

do your usual set up for grade 0 print., then with no negative in the enlarger and lens stopped down fully (f16 or f22) make a print flashed test strip at maybe 2 secs per flash. Pick the strip that just makes the paper darker than normal. Then flash a whole sheet at this time. With the neg in your carrier make your print. If blacks are muddy make another print as above and make a grade 5 test strip on top of your print 2/3 secs each and see which brings the blacks up

-- george otigbah (george.otigbah@btinternet.com), February 23, 2002.

You dont mention the size of your negative, but if it is a LF then you could also make a contrast reducing mask.....

-- Jorge Gasteazoro (rossorabbit@hotmail.com), February 23, 2002.

Split Print!

-- John Elder (celder2162@aol.com), February 25, 2002.