I just purchased an Omega D5 Dichroic and would like to know the various color combinations to mimic the ilford variable contrast filters. Can someone help me out?

You mention Ilford filters...are you using Ilford paper too?

The following link is to Ilford's website page with all their papers listed. Click on the paper you use, then click on "fact sheet" where you'll find information on dichroic filtration.

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/producttype.asp?n=5&t=Photographic+Papers

Murray

there should also be a spec sheet in each pack of paper that will recommend starting numbers. feel free to tweak for you specific environment.

Filter settings are usually included with packs of paper - certainly Ilford always comes with a data sheet which lists filter settings that match their Multigrade filters fairly closely.

Omega colour heads use Kodak filtration units so for example grade 2 would be 41Y+32M if you choose the dual filtration method (which keeps exposure times reasonably consistent grade to grade).

I don't know if it's just my eyes, but I noticed certain tonal differences between the Ilford filters and the recommended equivalent filtrations. I used M+Y filtration, not just M or Y, and though I achieved the same overall contrast, the "look" just wasn't the same.

I wonder if it's simply a question of fine-tuning color balance. The way I understand it, VC filters are a mixture of Y and M, so if you have proper M amount on your dichro head, but you are deviating of a few CC of Y, you will not get the same results.

Is there anybody with a colour analyser and VC filters who could confirm that to me? I ended up sticking to the Ilford filters just because I hate fiddling forever to get the contrast right.

If you want to calibrate it yourself, try this Paul Butzi (http://www.butzi.net/articles/vcce.htm) guide. Personally, I use split grade printing and absolutely LOVE IT. I can't imagine using VC paper any other way. Best. Shawn

Thanks for the leads guys. I appreciate it the help.

John

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit, but the OP's question seems to have been answered, and mine didn't seem worth starting a new thread over...

I've got a Fujimoto enlarger and one of the dichroic filters (magenta) has had part of the coating wiped off... here's a quick snap...

http://thephotoforum.com/gallery/files/5164-IMGP2403b.jpg

... as you can see the coating has been wiped off, but only on a couple of areas in the centre... the majority of the coating is still there. I won't be doing colour prints but I do want to make prints with b&w VC paper... any idea if that amount of damage to the coating is likely to cause major problems? Thanks in advance.

I don't know if it's just my eyes, but I noticed certain tonal differences between the Ilford filters and the recommended equivalent filtrations. I used M+Y filtration, not just M or Y, and though I achieved the same overall contrast, the "look" just wasn't the same.

I wonder if it's simply a question of fine-tuning color balance. The way I understand it, VC filters are a mixture of Y and M, so if you have proper M amount on your dichro head, but you are deviating of a few CC of Y, you will not get the same results.

Is there anybody with a colour analyser and VC filters who could confirm that to me? I ended up sticking to the Ilford filters just because I hate fiddling forever to get the contrast right.

Remember that the filters are density balanced to achieve the same transmission, while the Dichro head using just Yellow and Magenta is not. That could be some of the difference in how it appears. You can dial in some blue to maintain constant speed, but I don't do it, and can't say how much.