Enjoyed the darkroom video brought back memories of when I first started printing BW prints. and the issues with the flip print dryer. You're right about squeezing the wet prints to remove as much moisture as possible and the wrinkles are from prints to close together when drying also watch how hot you dry the prints at. I also would use a print flattener soak to help on the fiber-based prints. When RC paper came out it solved the curling issues and air drying the prints greatly improved the finish print quality. When printing I rarely use the enlarger end wide open unless I am projecting the image to make a large print, plus stopping down the lens from f8 -11,16 give you a decent print time also for dodging and burning the image. The 1-inch strip you get when cutting down the 8 1/2 x 11 print paper to 2 5 x 7 I would use the 1" strip to make test exposers, I was thinking about 6 1/2 sec like you on the test strip you showed and glad to see you use a grain focuser to get a sharp image.
I missed you over the last month. HNY. I'm really interested in this new series as I've always found enlargers a bit mentally challenging (I'm not technically minded). Its simple physics ..... how difficult can it be ....... honest. The vlog wasn't too long, I could deal with more enlarger explanation for dummies. Can I give a shout out to another camera vlogger 'Before Digital'. Sort of a mixture between Oly 35mm and Dad's Army. Utterly charming guy and entertaining (unintentionally), knows his stuff and no pretentions towards slick videography.
I’ve seen this done with the scratches - you just want small scratches in all the corners, not lines that go all the way through and cause the negative to fold/bend out of flat. I think it was the naked photographer that did it in a video.
The closest analogy for an enlarger would be a test transparency which is projected (enlarged) to study relative sharpness in center, edges, and corners of the image. Yes, such were made, but not too common since a DIY test film like he makes here is so easy to prepare. Alignment of an enlarger can be done with a higher degree of technology using bubble levels or lasers, which do not depend on "eyeball judgment" to align.
If your negative is not flat, and you are not using a glass plate carrier, you are more likely to misadjust your enlarger out of alignment. Perhaps better to photography an appropriate subject with a grainy film (the only use I can think of for Rodinal), then use a grain focuser to do this process.
Enjoyed the darkroom video brought back memories of when I first started printing BW prints. and the issues with the flip print dryer. You're right about squeezing the wet prints to remove as much moisture as possible and the wrinkles are from prints to close together when drying also watch how hot you dry the prints at. I also would use a print flattener soak to help on the fiber-based prints. When RC paper came out it solved the curling issues and air drying the prints greatly improved the finish print quality. When printing I rarely use the enlarger end wide open unless I am projecting the image to make a large print, plus stopping down the lens from f8 -11,16 give you a decent print time also for dodging and burning the image. The 1-inch strip you get when cutting down the 8 1/2 x 11 print paper to 2 5 x 7 I would use the 1" strip to make test exposers, I was thinking about 6 1/2 sec like you on the test strip you showed and glad to see you use a grain focuser to get a sharp image.
Great video. I thought I was crazy for having three enlargers. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the enlargers and series.
My grandpa wore a hat like yours.
I missed you over the last month. HNY.
I'm really interested in this new series as I've always found enlargers a bit mentally challenging (I'm not technically minded). Its simple physics ..... how difficult can it be ....... honest. The vlog wasn't too long, I could deal with more enlarger explanation for dummies.
Can I give a shout out to another camera vlogger 'Before Digital'. Sort of a mixture between Oly 35mm and Dad's Army. Utterly charming guy and entertaining (unintentionally), knows his stuff and no pretentions towards slick videography.
HNYTYT ;)
I love the surface on those prints. FB papers tend to be well worth the extra effort in my experience.
Now that I am getting the hang of it, it's definitely becoming more worth it.
Very cool Azriel.
Thank you.
Happy New Year, I love longer videos
lol, good ;)
Great project!
Thank you!
Cool project!
Thanks!
I’ve seen this done with the scratches - you just want small scratches in all the corners, not lines that go all the way through and cause the negative to fold/bend out of flat. I think it was the naked photographer that did it in a video.
Where do you get the retro 80s music from?
Excellent video, thank you. I've never shot fiber based papers, can you let them air dry or do you need drying equipment?
I have heard people air dry them using various methods. The one I keep hearing about it squeegeeing it to glass.
@@AzrielKnight makes sense to me! Thanks for replying.
Do they have targets similar to IT-8 for scanners to use when calibrating your enlarger?
I'm sorry I don't understand.
The closest analogy for an enlarger would be a test transparency which is projected (enlarged) to study relative sharpness in center, edges, and corners of the image. Yes, such were made, but not too common since a DIY test film like he makes here is so easy to prepare. Alignment of an enlarger can be done with a higher degree of technology using bubble levels or lasers, which do not depend on "eyeball judgment" to align.
Do you have the Beseler Color Head?
I don't.
Good content, a video to be used as reference for sure!
Thanks my good man.
If your negative is not flat, and you are not using a glass plate carrier, you are more likely to misadjust your enlarger out of alignment. Perhaps better to photography an appropriate subject with a grainy film (the only use I can think of for Rodinal), then use a grain focuser to do this process.