leitz V35 enlarger

[ericzhu]

Just tried leitz v35 enlarger for 2nd time with 2# RC Chinese paper. But the exposure time is only 7 seconds with aperture set at f8 for 10'*12' paper. Is it normal that the exposure time is so short?

I use D76 1:1 to develop ilford 50 BW film for 10 seconds. The film seems a little thin.

Any comments?

 

[Finder]

You want an exposure that makes a good print no matter how long it is. Exposure time is a combination of paper sensitivity, aperture, and the intensity of the enlarger lamp. I have exposures with my Omega and Beseler ranging from 2 sec. and 7 sec.

If you developed your film for 10 seconds then it is way under developed. The development time should be more than 7 minutes - check the instruction that comes with your film or developer for the recommended time.

 

[ericzhu]

Thanks for your reply, which gives me a little breath that 7 second seems normal for exposure the paper.

It shall be 10 minutes for the development of the film. It's my mistake of miss-typing.

 

[Trius]

7 seconds is too short for reliable, repeatable printing exposures. How do you know your exposure shouldn't be 7.5 seconds? Or 6.5?

Any variation in voltage will produce over/under exposure that is statistically significant. Plus if you have to do any dodging when making the print, the dodging time will be too short to be accurate.

Stop down to f11 and use 14 - 15 seconds as a starting point. I never print under 10 seconds, and prefer 15-30 seconds.

Earl

 

[x-ray]

Use a ND .3 or .6 filter under the lens. >3 will gibe double the time and .6 four times the time. If you would rather use a dimmer in the line to reduce the voltage. I do this on my Durst laborator 5x7 enlarger. I have to reduce my voltage to the bulb to 80V to get a 20 second exposure on a slow paper and a 11x14 print @ f16. I like an exposure time of 20-45 seconds for the base exposure. I print on fiber base ilford warmtone MG and develope in LPD or sometimes Dektol and use a base developement of 3-4 minutes (LPD 1:2).

Have fun in the dark.

 

[Finder]

7 seconds is too short for reliable, repeatable printing exposures. How do you know your exposure shouldn't be 7.5 seconds? Or 6.5?l

Not really. Modern timers are very accurate. Probably more accurate than a camera shutter. Also, household current is far more stable than 50 years ago. Color printing needed voltage stabilization because a change in voltage would change the color temperature of the light source. I get consistant exposures well under 7 seconds and can change the exposure time by 0.1 sec. with a consistant result. Most of my printing is in color as well.

 

[Wimpler]

I put a piece of frosted glass above the condensor to make exposure times longer. I don't have a timer, I listen to my watch to count seconds 😉

 

[Trius]

Not really. Modern timers are very accurate. Probably more accurate than a camera shutter. Also, household current is far more stable than 50 years ago. Color printing needed voltage stabilization because a change in voltage would change the color temperature of the light source. I get consistant exposures well under 7 seconds and can change the exposure time by 0.1 sec. with a consistant result. Most of my printing is in color as well.

Whatever. I don't recall ericzhu saying he had a modern timer and being sure his power is 100% stable. If it works for you, great. But for me, I'll stick with more manageable times, even if my timer is NASA-approved and my power is fully conditioned.

 

[ericzhu]

Whatever. I don't recall ericzhu saying he had a modern timer and being sure his power is 100% stable. If it works for you, great. But for me, I'll stick with more manageable times, even if my timer is NASA-approved and my power is fully conditioned.

Thanks for all your kind instructions. I use a Japanese expouser timer. But I think the 7 seconds is really hard for dodging. And I doubt there is sth. wrong with my developing of the film, which is a little thin and results to the short exposure time.

I would try the enlarger once more tonight with another film, which is thicker tonight.