Lost Contrast - Help !

[Nicholas Lindan]

Do you get the same results if you eliminate the enlarger from the equation -- say by making a contact print with a non-enlarger light source?

[BobNewYork]

Good suggestions all - I really appreciate them. Filter degradation on the blue-filtered lamp would certainly account for it. Unfortunately, the Ilford MG head doesn't produce white light under any circumstances so I can't use separate filters. I also had a thought that perhaps the lamp holder on the blue lamp needs replacing. I'll try putting a meter across the terminals later and see if it tells me anything. It must be either the process or the enlarger and I'll have to identify which. I'd rather be out taking photographs - but it's a little pointless until I get this sorted!

Thanks again

Bob H

[Ronald Moravec]

compare the highlight density of your neg with the step wedge. You will know if it the negative or the paper. At least close.

[eclarke]

You have Glycin, why not just make some 130? I pump up the carbonate to 80g/ liter of anhydrous and replace the bromide with 15cc of 1% benzotriazole solution. Soup at 1+3, 73 deg. and you'll get all the contrast you can handle..EC