Cold light source, diffusion and 35mm

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I have been reading a previous thread about dichroic filters and cold light sources with some interest and have a few questions. 1. Would a diffusion screen on a condensor enlarger make a difference? 2. Should you expect the same results with a halogen source (and diffuser) as with a true cold light source? 3. Will any of these methods show an appreciable difference with 35 mm negatives?

-- Anonymous, April 16, 1997

Answers

Andy, whatever light source you use on your enlarger will work just fine if you tailor exposure & development to the light source you choose. Cold Light, Point Light Source, or piped sunlight or moonlight will all work well if you fine tune your processing to fit. Don't be bamboozled by the Gurus of the Magic Answer. There is none. No light source is inherently superior to any other. The determining factor is your personal vision, your willingness to learn your tools and how easily they come together for you and your shooting style.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 1997

Andy,

The only thing I can add to the precious response, which I agree with holeheartedly is that with a cold light source there is little or no trash or pinholes in your prints you will have to doctor up.

Dell

-- Anonymous, April 18, 1997


Light sources

This is what I wanted to hear. I have printed on both the colour and condensor heads of my 35mm enlarger but I didn't notice any tangible differences, certainly I couldn't say one was better than the other. I think, perhaps, that it would be better to compare the different light sources with larger format negatives in a properly controlled experiment. Photography is a very subjective field and difficult to quantitate.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 1997

I have found that if you use a diffuser (like opal glass) in the filter area you get a fake cold light look which certainly reduces pinholes and the like. The downside is that it takes a lot more exposure than using "pure" condensor lighting.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 1997

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