Geting started with RA4 printing

Hi y'all.

I've been doing B&W in my darkroom for about 18 months now and really enjoy
it. However I have just acquired a medium format camera and would like to
have a dabble with RA4 printing because it is dammed expensive to get MF
printing done commercially (vs. 35mm which is, of course, really cheap and
not worth doing at home). MF film developing is not to expensive
commercially, so I don't want to do C41.

I have picked up an "RA4 colour processor" really cheap on eBay - this looks
just like an elongated daylight film tank. I also picked up some RA4 paper.

Now questions ...

Will my enlarger head be OK for colour ? (Ilford Ilfospeed 500H) - dichroic,
I think.

If so what "contrast" settings should I use ? and what difference will these
make to the print ?

What chemicals should I buy ?

Anybody offer a good starting point for exposure (say 8x8in. print with
average density 6x6(cm) negs) ?

I really just want to dabble so am not keen to buy lots of gear for
controlling temperature - can't I just do this in a sink of water at correct
temp ?

Any pointers to good websites describing RA4 process ?

Many Thanks

Bob W

 

Some Mini labs have masks and can proof MF neagtives. Otherwise your right.

If dichroic that is It has a C,Y, M dial for each or input for those then yes
or it could be RGB like the Minolta Beseler or it could be just Y, M...you never
need Cyan in RA4

You use different paper to get more contrast although, that is limited
if you negative is under exposed then its alot harder to print.

Kodak makes: Supra Normal contrast, Ultra for softer negatives to produce more
contrast and Portra for harder negative to produce softer contrast. All under the
Endura Name.

I go with Kodak, for two reasons,
a) its an American Company
b) its deisigned for Kodak paper which I use, Kodak also
provides alot of technical support for their products.

Depends on how dense, a grey card of proper density
might expose at 15 seconds at f/8-f11

You can but a small Jobo or at least a print drum and water bath will
make your printing more fun, you need to temper the chemical at least
so your print process times are shorter than longer.

Never needed them, but one more suggestion, get a set of print "viewing"
filters it will help you intially see when the color is subtlely "out".

 

Greg,

Many thanks.

The point of my question about "contrast" is this. I think that the enlarger
head and controller is intended for black & white multigrade printing. The
controller unit has digital input (keyboards) for exposure and contrast. The
"contrast" setting controls the relative proportions of "Y" or "M" filtered
light (there is no "C" filter). I suppose that if I choose contrast grade
2.5 (mid point) this will give 50/50 of Y/M.

Kind Regards,

Bob

 

I'm not sure a variable contrast B&W head would work for colour. Does the
head have a filter drawer? If so you could get a set a colour filters.

Nick

 

Nick is correct. You will not obtain adequate results with most Variable
Contrast heads when printing color. The reason is the proportions of Y and
M are not independently and continuously variable. While grade 3 might need
40M, a print in color may need 82Y and 48M to print correctly. There is no
standard contrast setting that will give you these setting.

HOWEVER, and this is because I do not know the specifics of the equipment
you are using, IF you can get continuous and independent setting of your
Yellow and Magenta filtration on your equipment, then it may work.

Cyan is not normally used in prints from negatives.

The filter drawer would be a way for you to get into color, but remember to
set your head to whatever grade does not use filtration (normally grade 2).

 

I doubt it. You need another head for color.

 

The

I haven't followed this thread but my understnading is color printing from negs
requires additive filtration while B/W negs require minus filtration. Thus, a
B/W VC system will not work as a Color Dichro head.
Bruce
Brooklyn, N.Y.

 

OK - thanks all. You've convinced me that I can't used my VC head for colour
printing.

I have also found a "Durst 601" enlarger in a cupboard in my darkroom (I
discovered this D/R - unused, at my place of work).

I have never used this enlarger and do not even know if it works, but I will
dust it off and have a look to see if it will do colour. It seems to have a
filter drawer (but no filters).

Kind regards and seasons wishes to you all,

Bob W

 

If it works then you are on your way. You don't really need a dichro
head to do color printing. A set of color printing filters will do
just fine as long as there is a filter drawer in the enlarger.

 

No you don't,.... your correct but its sure makes it alot more
productive and fun