Safelights

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filmordie

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OK, so, I am going to be working with Ilford direct positive paper, Ilford recommends a deep red safelight, as an example; ILFORD 906 containing a 15W. This is only an example. I contacted Ilford and inquired about this filter (or light, I still am not sure) or an equivalent , Ilford responded with a dissertation on light wavelength...... and something else I didn't understand. My question is this..... I just need to know what in Hell this light (or filter) is and what its cross reference is. This doesn't seem like it should be that hard. Deep red, for (I think) ortho paper is what I am looking for. Is it obsolete? I did find one supplier who was happy to sell me what I hope was a least a case of Ilford 609 for $300 (US) out of England. :bang:
 
You don't need to overthink it. You just need a deep red safelight. Any "deep red" safe light will do. Go google "deep red" safelight and you'll probably find what you need (or go on ebay).
 
Hello
Unfortunately I am not able to answer to your question, but I may add a related question: Red or Orange lights for darkroom - which of these two options should I choose ? and why ?
I apologize for the threadjacking, but maybe someone more knowledgeable in the field of Darkroom lights can solve our doubts.
Regards
Joao
 
Joao said:
Hello
Unfortunately I am not able to answer to your question, but I may add a related question: Red or Orange lights for darkroom - which of these two options should I choose ? and why ?
I apologize for the threadjacking, but maybe someone more knowledgeable in the field of Darkroom lights can solve our doubts.
Regards
Joao
Click to expand...

It depends on what you're using them for. Generally speaking though, red is safe for pretty much everything (relating to B&W printing), whereas amber/orange is safe for "only" most things.
 
tunalegs said:
It depends on what you're using them for. Generally speaking though, red is safe for pretty much everything (relating to B&W printing), whereas amber/orange is safe for "only" most things.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
So to be on the safe side I should use a red lamp. The aim is to use it for B&W printing - but I would appreciate if I could handle B&W film (ISO below 400) under that light.
Regards
Joao
 
Joao said:
Thanks!
So to be on the safe side I should use a red lamp. The aim is to use it for B&W printing - but I would appreciate if I could handle B&W film (ISO below 400) under that light.
Regards
Joao
Click to expand...
Dear Joao,

For reasons I have never understood, some people prefer orange to red -- but red (with the exception of monochromatic or near monochromatic sodium vapour and LED lights) is MUCH safer, even at quite high illumination levels. Even very long exposure (30+ minutes) at very close distances (60 cm) my Paterson dark red safelights do not affect normal printing paper. I use the same with Ilford Direct Pos but typically at 1-1.5 m; I've never tested it closer.

The only remotely common current film you can handle under (very weak) red light is Ilford Ortho, available in sheet form only. Even very, very weak green light (the only recommendation for normal films) is risky, unless it's so weak as to be all but useless.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Dear Joao,

For reasons I have never understood, some people prefer orange to red -- but red (with the exception of monochromatic or near monochromatic sodium vapour and LED lights) is MUCH safer, even at quite high illumination levels. Even very long exposure (30+ minutes) at very close distances (60 cm) my Paterson dark red safelights do not affect normal printing paper. I use the same with Ilford Direct Pos but typically at 1-1.5 m; I've never tested it closer.

The only remotely common current film you can handle under (very weak) red light is Ilford Ortho, available in sheet form only. Even very, very weak green light (the only recommendation for normal films) is risky, unless it's so weak as to be all but useless.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

Thank you Roger for the clarifying answer.
Film will be handled in total darkness.
Regards
Joao
 
Wratten #1 is a deep red. Not the 1A which is much brighter red. Available for not much on the auction site in a range of sizes.
 
And if you find that your safelight isn't quite safe enough for paper, a sheet of Rubylith will fix it. It's available in graphic arts shops.
 
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