I wonder whether it is possible to purchase a reference negative(s) - in my case 35mm. The idea is not to have some test negative, but a real negative which gives a perfect print when handled by an experienced printer, eventually with notes of the author for getting the optimal result.

thanks, Marc.

-- Marc Leest (mmm@n2photography.com), March 14, 2001

Answers

Fred Picker used to sell a video on printing that came with a reference print, but I have never heard of anyone selling a reference negative. Somehow, I suspect that even if you followed printing instructions to the letter, you would still get slightly different results from the person who wrote the instructions. You would have to have exactly the same water, temperature, enlarger, light source, lens, developer, paper, etc. I think in the long run you are better off working through all the variables yourself until you find what works for you.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), March 14, 2001.

The only time I've seen a reference neg (other than a "Shirley" neg for color calibrating a monitor) is one for platinum printing but that is a whole different ball of wax... Kodak used to have them but I don't know if they deal with that any more. Cheers

-- Scott Walton (f64sw@hotmail.com), March 14, 2001.

My 1961 Kodak Colour Enlarger Model 1 came with a reference negative, along with a galvanometer, but I don't think anyone supplies them today. Have to agree that it's best to work these things out yourself. Zone system calibration will do it, or even more casual methods where you just photograph a grayscale and zero in on proper development for #2 or #3 paper.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), March 14, 2001.