Meopta Meograde operation

Roman · 2005-06-27T15:06:37+00:00

Hallo! Bin dzt. am Überlegen, ob ich nicht für meinen Magnifax 4 einen Meograde-Kopf statt des derzeitigen Color3-Kopfes besorgen soll. Grund: es ist einfac...

Roman

Hello! I’m currently thinking about whether I should get a Meograde head for my Magnifax 4 instead of the current Color3 head. Reason: it’s simply a hassle having to create a new test strip every time you change the gradation (yes, I know there are other options – but that would mean I’d first have to create a table with the Y and M values for all the papers I use...). What I’d like to know now is: when changing the gradient with Meograde, do the exposure times remain more or less constant (similar to using Ilford Multigrade filter sheets; I realise there may be minor variations depending on the paper), or do you have to make corrections (using the density screen?) and test beforehand? I’d be grateful for any information from Meograde users about how they work! Best regards, Roman

cfb_de

Hi Roman, With all these MG tests, the ‘consistency’ is limited to a single grey level. From that point of view, it’s not much use if you want to do fewer test strips. The dependence on the paper remains, as does the need to test on different papers, because *that* particular grey tone isn’t matched *exactly* by any single paper. That’s why I went to the trouble of testing with the colour head once (a grey scale is really handy there :-) and since then I’ve been determining my “target gradation” not on a slide rule, but by what roughly suits me: I don’t like the print: Why? Well, make it a bit harder, then it works. And that’s independent of the paper. First test strip "gradation determination" with Trialux under white light, filter in, set exposure time, test strip +/- 1 stop. Then I decide how to proceed in full format. Usually that works out fine (at least for the family). At least it worked out just fine just now :-))) Best regards, Franz

Roman

Thanks, Franz. I realise that it also works by testing it out and using a good DuKa film (though I don’t have any...) and that, when it comes to exposure times, Konstaz can only refer to a grey value – I’m well aware of that too... But still, the question again: when changing the gradient on the Meograde head, does the exposure time remain roughly the same (as when, for example, you swap a No. 1 for a No. 3 filter with Ilford Multigrade filter films), or do you need to correct the value using the grey filter wheel? The FOTOIMPEX catalogue isn’t very helpful in this regard... Roman

cfb_de

Hi Roman, I can’t really help you with that question. At the time, I decided not to go for an Opemus-6 with an MG head, but to look for a colour head for the 5. I found what I was looking for and I’m happy with it. (Besides, as we all know, the trend is towards a second enlarger; I now have a Durst with a colour head and mixed lighting for 35mm here). By the way: as you’re from the Weinviertel, the other Roman’s friend – Franz Keip – makes a absolutely delicious Mosel Riesling. Really lovely for the summer: relatively low in alcohol, fresh, dry, with low acidity. If the DD works out, Roman might be able to bring some along (I, for one, am already putting in a request). Trialux costs around 100 Valuta schillings; as ‘Sixtolab’, they’re occasionally cheaper. The ‘Trialux’ from Kaiser only handles 500W, the older versions 1000. Best regards, Franz

Roman

By the way: as someone from the Weinviertel: Roman’s friend – Franz Keip – makes a absolutely delicious Mosel Riesling. It’s just the thing for summer: relatively low in alcohol, fresh, dry, and not too acidic. If things work out with DD, Roman might be able to bring some along (I, for one, am already putting in a request).

Wachau, please – the Weinviertel is somewhere else... We’re the elite; the Weinviertel is the plebs among white wine producers... :P If it works out (though early October isn’t really ideal for me – the chances of me being able to make it are 50:50 at best), I’ll bring a bottle of Grüner Veltliner from Papi, and a good Wachau Riesling Smaragd (around 13% ABV, loads of extract, very mineral, hardly any residual sugar, well-balanced acidity). And to stay on topic: I’m always on the lookout for Trialuxen too, but they don’t cost that much less than a Meograde – and this month there was a bonus from work, hence the sudden urge to buy... Roman

Gast

When adjusting the gradient on the Meograde head, does the exposure time remain roughly the same (as when, for example, you swap a No. 1 filter for a No. 3 filter with Ilford Multigrade film), or do you need to correct the value using the neutral density filter wheel?

As far as I know, no correction is necessary.

Roman

Thanks! Unfortunately, the information was no longer available on Meopta’s own website; only the Color4ES lens is listed there now. Roman