I have a Omega D5 XL enlarger. The Aristo cold head mounts down where the condenser once lived. The cold head sits right on the neg carrier. My qestion is how/where do you put the VC filters? Do they sit rigth on top of the neg. carrier? IS this a problem?

Thanks for your help

-- Jay Lynch (Jay_Lynch@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999

Answers

It's better to use graded papers. You can use filters on cold light heads but it gets complicated. The response to filters is not always linear throughout the different contrast grades.

-- bill (wgnagel@erols.com), November 05, 1999.

I asked this exact question to a guy at Aristo a few weeks ago. He said that you have to lay the filter on top of the negative carrier (for my D2V). Personally, for me it's just too much trouble. If I do buy the head, I will probably go to graded papers. If you have lots of money, the $1100 VC head may be worth the investment.

-- Craig Brown (csbrown@tastybuzz.com), November 05, 1999.

I can't remember where but there was a old post from someone who ended up building a filter holder box out of wood, you might consider making something up or even trying under the lens filters.

-- bill zelinski (willy226@yahoo.com), November 05, 1999.

First you have to put an Y 40 or 50 filter on the negative carrier then you can use the other filter under the lens

-- Eddy WiIllems (eddy.willems@worldonline.be), November 28, 1999.

Please check out the Stephen Anchell book on variable contrast printing before you decide that VC is NG with cold light! I perused a copy yesterday at Samy's Camera in L.A. and it seemed excellent. Sorry I don't have the title at hand -- go to Amazon or B&N and look up the authors books and it will be there. Also note that Howard Bond wrote about his experiences using the Aristo V54 phosphor and Ilford Multigrade filters. These are thin gels that can sit right on top of most negative carriers. I'm upgrading my old Aristo head to the newer V54 to take advantage of the variety of VC papers today. Exciting!

-- Todd Foster (ptoddf@aol.com), January 20, 2000.

Get a set of under-lens filters from Ilford or Kodak, depending on which paper you want use. Keep them clean and dust-free. Don't be concerned about their location having an effect on image quality: it won't. Don't add any permanent yellow filtration; V54 tubes have multiple phosphors which obviate the need. Enjoy!

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), January 20, 2000.