Perhaps if David Carper (of Ilford) is reading this forum, he could offer a semi-official response...

In the instruction sheet for Ilford MGIV RC, there is a table for setting the Y/M settings on a dichro head for keeping exposure constant when changing contrast (VCCE). Is this based on a mid-tone exposure, or highlight exposure, David? If the former, is there anywhere I could find a complementary table for the latter? The more I think (and read) about it, it makes sense to determine base exposure on how the highlights print, and I have a strong hunch the table is based on a mid-tone.

I'm using a Durst 138S with a CLS 301 dichro head.

-- Don Wilkes (don.wilkes@gems9.gov.bc.ca), May 16, 2002

Answers

I think that table is based on a tone slightly lighter than midtone, about what could be considered a zone 6 or so. This works well for most students and casual users, as well as many advanced printer. Of course, everyone has their own prefered techniques, but you'll have to figure out some settings on your own. We don't have any formulas based on highlight exposure.

BTW, although I frequent these boards, it is not a primary part of my job. If you need an answer from ILFORD, please send an e-mail to us- techsupport@ilford.com or if it is a followup question to something I have posted, send it directly to me at david.carper@ilford.com

David Carper ILFORD Technical Service

-- David Carper (david.carper@ilford.com), May 17, 2002.

Thank you, David. I suspected that the table would be based on something around Zone V-VI. Looks like I have some test printing to do...

I've made a note of the Ilford Tech Support email address, and shall use it in the future for company-specific queries. Your contributions here on the list are much appreciated, though!

Cheers,

-- Don Wilkes (don.wilkes@gems9.gov.bc.ca), May 17, 2002.