Filter values for gradient with Meopta

william5 · 2005-05-31T06:56:14+00:00

Hallo, hat jemand eine Tabelle der Filterwerte von MEOPTA (Color 3) im Verhältnis zu den Gradationen? Geht sowas eigentlich generell oder ist dies nicht auch...

william5

Hello, does anyone have a table showing MEOPTA (Color 3) filter values in relation to the gradients? Is this generally possible, or does it also depend on the paper used? Time and again, one reads that MEOPTA is supposed to be equivalent to AGFA values. However, even MEOPTA compares its values with those of AGFA in the instruction manual, and they differ significantly, meaning that AGFA filter specifications found elsewhere cannot simply be adopted on a one-to-one basis. The only thing I’ve found online are tables for three different papers for the 4-ES mixing head. I prefer to use Classic or, these days, ADOX paper from FOTOIMPEX. http://www.meopta.cz/index.php?id=121&lang=en Thanks and best regards, Jens

MirkoBoeddecker

Jens, That’s one of the most frequently asked questions when using a colour head for gradient filtering for the first time. And every time, we ask the counter-question: What is Gradient 3? Try to visualise Gradient 3 in your mind’s eye (or 4 or 2, for that matter). Look, here’s the thing: you set 50 magenta and make a test print. If it’s too soft for you, you add more magenta; if it’s too hard, you add less or even some yellow until the print matches what you have in mind and what is your personal optimum for this particular negative-contrast paper combination. Depending on the paper, print head, developer, temperature, age of the paper and emulsion batch, this setting can vary by up to 20%. Which number ultimately lights up on your scale is relatively irrelevant.... If you want to test it: work your way up slowly until a further increase in the magenta value no longer results in any increase in the gradient on the print. This value is the upper limit. Do the same for yellow. The sum of the yellow and magenta values gives the total scale. Divide this by 4 to determine the guide values. With Kodak and Ilford, you can divide by 5 – these papers are slightly harder due to the addition of hardeners. Best regards, Mirko

FrankJBeckmann

Hi, It actually depends not only on the ink cartridge, but also on the paper and the paper developer. You can read more about it here: http://www.butzi.net/articles/vcce.htm Bye Frank

william5

@ Mirko I had assumed – probably mistakenly – that no filtering (Y0 and M0) would result in a gradient of 3. @ Frank Thanks for the link to the very detailed instructions. It all seems very logical. Looking at all this now, I suppose I can’t avoid carrying out extensive tests. I’d already anticipated that, but based on at least some reference values for the filtering. Jens