I recently purchased a used Omega D5XL Enlarger with a Super Chromega Dichro II head. I have never used color filtration as a contrast filter, and need some assistance.

The manual that came with the enlarger only gives a limited range of "recommendations" for filtration settings. These are:

1 -- 35M, 24Y 1 1/2 -- 42M, 20Y 2 -- 50M, 16Y 2 1/2 -- 100M, 8Y 3 -- 150M, 0Y

Can anybody give me the recommended filtration settings for other filters (i.e., 00, 0, 3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2 & 5). Also, what does "recommended" mean, and what kind of adjustments should I look to make.

There is also a slot in the head just above where it attaches to the negative carrier for a 5 x 5 filter. Can I trim down an Ilford black & white filter and use it here?

The other option is a filter under the lens. What would be the best option of the three that are available (color filters, above the negative in the slot, below the lens)?

Thanks. I hope this question is not too detailed, but I have noticed from reading posts that responders like to have as much information as possible.

-- Jim Rock (jameswrock@aol.com), July 10, 2001

Answers

Every enlarger will give different results. You need to calibrate your own setup. It's not hard. You need a step tablet with .15 increments. You set your filtration and print the tablet. You count the number of bands of discernable shades from black to white. 8 is grade 1, 7 is grade 2, 6 is grade 3 etc. It is a bit more difficult than that. You will need to adjust your exposure for MDME first and may have some trouble finding maximum black but you will get the feel of it quickly.

-- jeff schraeder (jeff@engineperformance.com), July 10, 2001.

Thanks for the reply. I've never used a color head before, so I need a little translation. What is a step card, and where would I get one? (I am assuming it is something that goes over the photographic paper that let's various levels of exposure through, but am not sure.) Also, what would the initial filtration setting be in order to calibrate, and what is MDME?

Thanks for you help.

--Jim Rock

-- Jim Rock (jameswrock@aol.com), July 11, 2001.

Jim:

You can keep it simple by merely using the principles of 1) adding magenta filtration to increase contrast or 2) adding yellow filtration to decrease contrast. Of course, if magenta filtration is already dialed in, contrast can be reduced by reducing the magenta setting. If yellow filtration is already dialed in, contrast can be increased by reducing the yellow setting. The actual paper grade that is acheived at any particular filtration setting is somewhat irrelevant. As long as the print looks fine, the actual paper grade doesn't matter.

-- Ken Burns (kenburns@twave.net), July 11, 2001.