VC Filters: Kodak vs. Iford

[RLADD]

Is there any difference between Kodak and Ilford filters used for
variable contrast printing?? Are the contrast grades equivalent??

Thanks Bob

P.S. boo!

[PLEXCO]

>Is there any difference between Kodak and Ilford filters used for
>variable contrast printing?? Are the contrast grades equivalent??

Kodak (PolyMax) and Ilford (MultiGrade) are two different systems and are
not interchangeable.

--
ple...@aol.com

[DMark35522]

I wonder why the guys at B&H told me they were interchangeable - Plexco,
you clearly know what you're talking about (based on previous posts) - so
could you elucidate? If I use my Polycontrast filters with Ilford paper,
what will happen?

Thanks,

DENIS

[John Sparks]

You can definately use Kodak filters with Ilford paper and get usable
results. The things that are likely to be different are the change in
contrast between filters may not be as uniform, the change in exposure
when changing filters is likely to be greater, the range of contrast
from highest to lowest is probably less (I think in particular you won't
be able to get the maximum contrast from Ilford paper with the highest
grade polycontrast filter, the Ilford filter has quite a bit more
magenta). To some extent, this will depend on what light source you are
using (I believe that the filters are generally set up to work best with
the typical bulbs in condensor enlargers, with a cold light head, none of
the features like uniform grade spacing and constant exposures will apply
anyway so either set of filters probably works about as well as the other).

John Sparks