Hi, this is my first mailing to this group. I was going to ask about using a dichroic head with Ilford multigrade, and what made a 'good' grade 1,2, etc. Having just read some FAQs, I guess that if the result of the filtration on the print satisfies you, does the 'apparent' grade matter ? Tony H, Darlington, UK

-- Tony Hannam (thannam@clara.net), March 19, 1998

Answers

I would say yes to the extent that to be sure you made the print you really want it is usually necessary to make prints that are too flat and prints that are too contrasty to find what you really like. A first print that may seem ok will usually pale badly to a more refined print

-- Jeff White (zonie@computer-concepts.com), March 19, 1998.

Tony: That you could put a `number' (grade!) on a finished print in no way suggests a value or quality. I would suggest you keep detailed notes on your printing procedure, for repeatability purposes, but not be tied-down to any `grades'. A colour head (dichoric) in combination with a good multigrade paper (like Ilford MG IV) should open up and expand your printing potential. Much of the available information and literature (Ansel Adams, etc.) is based on earlier stages of photographic development, and while excellent, does not represent many of the advances that have been made in materials and equipment. Mike

-- Mike W. (mbworld@adan.kingston.net), March 22, 1998.