Where do I stick it?? (AKA: variable contrast filters on Beseler enlarger)

[f/stopblues]

Ok, I'm utterly confused about where I would put variable contrast filters on this giant contraption I have in my bathroom. I've assembled everything I need for the darkroom slowly, and I think my very final piece is the filters which I neglected before.

I look at the Ilford ones and they go up to 6x6cm, but my brain tells me this is not adequate since I'll be printing 6x7. Yes, I could put it below the negative, but I don't wanna do that, do I? I don't want to put cheap plastic between my nice neg and nice lens, right? Above the neg would requre a bigger filter methinks. What's this oddly shaped drawer that my big paw is holding in the second picture? I've only used up to medium format enlargers before.

See my pictures.. assist me with your infinite knowledge, my RFF friends. To give a sense of scale, that little negative strip sticking out of the head is about one full 6x7 frame.

Thanks as always!

 

[MikeyGaGa]

A distant memory,but...

A distant memory,but...

I'm going completely from memory,but if I recall,Beseler made and sold a set of very large (7X7 inches?)filters in the form of gels,such as are used over theatre and photo hot lights. The set was in the 3 secondary colors-cyan,yellow and magenta. Each color had gels from 05 to 50cc (color correction units,like wratten filters). The drawer was between the condensors and the lens bellows. These filters could be used for color printing,and for multi-grade BW printing as well. If memory serves,varying combinations of magenta were used to obtain the various grades.

I recall using the square plastic Ilford MG filters;these were slotted into a holder which attached to the enlargers lens,placed as close to the lens as possible;I also recall placing them on the rear element of the lens.


There was a tendency in the old days for people to buy condensor enlargers;however all of the labs and studios(in NYC)I worked in during the 70s and 80s used dichroic and cold light heads.

 

[jlw]

There are two kinds of VC filters: gel, which are optical quality and can go below the lens in a special holder, and acetate (or polyester), which need to go above the negative. Typically an enlarger will have a holder or drawer for these, although in a pinch some people just lay the filter on top of the condensers.

What you've pulled out is your enlarger's drawer for acetate filters. These filters are available in large sizes -- 3 by 3 inches, 6 by 6 inches, or even larger -- so you just order the next larger size than your filter drawer, then trim them down with scissors to fit.

Because they aren't in the image-forming light path (below the lens) acetate filters don't have to be of optical quality, so they can be inexpensive. I checked one big NYC supplier and saw that a full set of Kodak Polymax 6x6in filters is less than $35.

 

[Dougg]

Ok, I'm utterly confused about where I would put variable contrast filters on this giant contraption I have in my bathroom. I've assembled everything I need for the darkroom slowly, and I think my very final piece is the filters which I neglected before.

I look at the Ilford ones and they go up to 6x6cm, but my brain tells me this is not adequate since I'll be printing 6x7. Yes, I could put it below the negative, but I don't wanna do that, do I? I don't want to put cheap plastic between my nice neg and nice lens, right? Above the neg would requre a bigger filter methinks. What's this oddly shaped drawer that my big paw is holding in the second picture? I've only used up to medium format enlargers before.

I think your Beseler is larger than my Beseler 23C (which can handle negs up to 6x9cm), but the design is the same. In that right photo you have the filter compartment cover open and you're grasping what is probably a filter holder but looks different from mine.

Mine has a black aluminum square with turned up sides and a large opening in the bottom surface about the same diameter as the condenser lens above, about 5". Indeed my aluminum piece is a receptacle/slot for acetate filters about 5.5" square as I recall.

I bought a Kodak Polycontrast filter set, 6" square I believe, which came with each filter safely protected by a white card-stock folder. With a sharp box-knife and metal guide I cut each filter and folder to 5.5" square, then cut a hole about 5" diameter in each card-stock folder, and glued the folder closed over its filter to act as a frame for easy handling. To use one of the filters, I just slide it into the slot behind that hinged door that says "Universal Colorhead".

Have fun!

Edit: That smaller sliding holder just above the lens can also be used for filters, but these should be optical quality.