Monthly Archives: September 2013

The First Test Print

This was the first time in nearly 10 years since my father has made a darkroom print. The first print we made twice, and this second image only took one try. He’s still got the magic. I have printed in a darkroom prior but never with my father. He is fast and amazingly efficient. Everything appears to be working well. With a properly exposed negative it is not always necessary to use filters.

I found this comment online in regards to our enlarger the Super Chromega D Dichroic:

You will need to use variable contrast papers as opposed to graded. Regarding the built-in filters, you will be using only the magenta or the yellow. With all filters set at zero, this will give you the equivalent of a grade 2, or “normal” paper contrast.

For more contrast dial in the magenta. For less contrast dial in yellow. It’s basically that simple.

The cyan filter is not used in printing B&W except as an “attenuator”, that is you would use it only to reduce the amount of light coming from the head. You might need that if you wanted longer exposure times. It could be used in conjunction with the “high” and “low” lever to give you an in between setting of light intensity. You probably will want to keep it set at “0” however. I have never used it.

You may use the internal filters built into the system, or use external filters if preferred.

Setup Step 2: Chemicals

My father took the powder form chemicals we ordered at Adorama, and he got everything prepped at his house. Adorama was the only place that had everything (developer, stop bath and fixer) and more importantly was able to ship it. It came in two shipments. I believe two of them came in powder form, I think it was the stop bath which came in a small liquid container. He brought everything over this morning and we quickly setup to do a test run. He was concerned because he had never used a color enlarger to do black and white prints. The particular enlarger we have is able to develop both Black & White and Color prints.

Shopping list:

ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY  
KKRFXG Kodak Liquid Rapid Fixer Solution for Black & White Film and Paper, 1-Gallon, Part “A” & “B”. 2
KKD76G Kodak D-76 Black & White Film Developer, Powder to Make 1 Gallon. 1
KKISBP Kodak Indicator Stop Bath For Black & White Films And Papers, 1-Pint Bottle To Make 8-Gallons. 1
ILMFW111450G Ilford Multigrade FB Fiber Based Warmtone VC Variable Contrast Black & White Enlarging Paper – 11×14″-50 Sheets – Glossy Surface 1