----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 9:51 AM Subject: Re: Kodak B&W "color negative"
> > > I have also enlarged these negatives in the darkroom with mixed results > (after a few "test" papers). I had to use a high contrast filter (#4) to > get more contrast. I also had to use an aperture of at least 5.6 (50mm) on > a Beseler 23CII enlarger. More problems arose when I tried to print contact > sheets. Ugg! If you plan to do darkroom work with this film, I recommend > true B&W film. Printing your own BW400CN can be done, but it's just more a > hassle, IMO. > > I just realized that I did not answer your question. Sorry about that. I > should not have stayed out celebrating my birthday last night. Uggg. > /need more coffee! > > Anyone else try to print BW400CN in a darkroom? > You tried printing film designed for printing on colour paper. I was wondering which film he was talking about. Colour paper has a much higher native contrast than black and white paper, and will look flat unless printed on fairly high gontrast paper. Add to that the mask density, and it can be a challenge, to say the least. I think the only chromgenic left that prints well on B&W paper is Ilford's XP-2. Konica makes a chromogenic, and though I haven't tried it in the darkroom, it's mask density is low enough that it may print OK. The lesson you learned is to not try to print film on material it isn't designed for. I wonder why you had to use an aperture of at least 5.6? Did you have a problem keeping the film flat? Or did you have a problem with the mask density increasing your printing times? William Robb
