re: Enlarger diffusion Use translucent plexiglas that is used for light tables. It comes in many thicknesses from 1/16 on up to probably 1" They all transmit the same amount of light. Thicker will probably mix better.
For my modified Bessler enlarger lamp I simply removed their awful condensors, the light socket. I built my own light set up with a 200 watt quartz bulb--which isn't going to discolor as it ages as will all those 60 watt bulbs. the inside of the condenser housing I simply spray painted with High heat white paint. If I were to modify the light (or get as motivated as you obviously are) and build an 8x10 enlarger, than I will use one or two of the $10 250 watt quartz work lights you can find at Home depot. What I learned from poking around in my Bessler color head is that all you need for even light is a piece of that plex on the bottom of as large a box as you can manage painted white on the inside. If the light bounces around enough and exits via the translucent plex it'll be even. For diffusion I use a circle of the translucent plex. Works fine. Has edge to edge evenness of 1/10 or 2/10s of a stop--(a lens will have fall off greater than that). I wouldn't consider using anything else. & I would recomend against 60 watt bulbs. btw your multiple socket pattern sounds like the set-up Ansel Adams wrote about. He had each bulb individually switched thinking that it would help burn and dodge. As I remember he found it didn't work. This translucent plex can be bought from any place selling plexi or through a glass shop. Let them cut it--especially if it is a circle. btw I use the 1/16th inch in above my negs and below a contrast mask. They work great until they scratch. Good luck. ---William Nettles [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nettles Photo / Imaging Site http://www.wgn.net/~nettles _______________________________________________ Cameramakers mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://rmp.opusis.com/mailman/listinfo/cameramakers
