The red swing filter on enlargers...what type of filter is it? I need a replacement for an old inherited Krokus enlarger. Does anyone know if a standard red filter used in b&w picture taking would do the trick? Alternatively do Krokus still exist? I know they are polish and I think I nearly found their website but kept getting HTTP 404's. Pete To anyone who controls this forum. There was no choice of category in the pull down box (other than "dont know"). If this is automatic then no problem.

-- Peter Alldis (alldis@zen.co.uk), December 24, 2000

Answers

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-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), December 24, 2000.

The red filter used to swing into the light path on enlargers in a deep red such as a Wratten # 29. The acetate is called ruby lith in the graphic arts community if memory serves me right. You can find this acetate from Kodak or a graphic arts store. James

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), December 24, 2000.

Re: The red swing out filter. This filter is used to control exposure. The theory is I believe that you turn on the enlarger and move the filter out of the light path when you are ready to start your exposure and return it when you end your exposure. I have also heard from some printers that they use it to check last minute easel alignment before making the exposure. The holder itself is handy to mount your below the lens VC printing filters. That is if you don't have an over the lens filter drawer. BTW some brands of enlargers call this above the lens drawer a "color head" because that is where the color printing filters were placed before the days of true color heads (Dicro etc.). Personally I have removed the complete filter holder from my enlarger (I have an Omega B8XL circa 1968). I use a timer that automatically starts and stops exposure and above lens VC filters in my "color head". I'm sorry I have no information on Krokus Enlargers.

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), December 24, 2000.

That's right. The filter was used to allow last minute alignments of the position of the easle before exposing the paper. I still use the system and it works very well even with todays papers. You can't use it for too long but depending on you f-stop it can be as long as 30 secs with no degradation of the paper. Try some. James

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), December 24, 2000.

I've used a 25A for viewing projected B&W images in a pinch. Seems to work OK.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@att.net), January 01, 2001.

It just isn't that important. Some enlargers are fitted with red filters, some with amber or orange; nearly all of them are made of plastic, and I bet not one enlarger manufacturer could tell you the spectral transmission of their particular filter material.
Does anyone actually use the swing filter anyway?

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), January 03, 2001.

All the time for final alignment of the image on the easel!

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), January 03, 2001.