Durst M305 Enlarger with Ilford Multigrade

Hey guys,

I have a durst M305 and I'm using Ilford multigrade paper- should I still buy the contrast filters? Or can I use the color wheels on the head? I haven't tried out contrast filters- or even the color wheels on the head. I've made a few prints and they've come out pretty well- but having that option wouldn't hurt to try!

As you have the 'color' head, you don't need the Mutigrade filter set

If you increase the M(agenta) dial, you'll increase the contrast (rendering) of the Multigrade paper/print, and dialing up the B(lue) will decrease it (incase you have a high contrast negative)

Used my Durst M601 with colorhead that way with Mutigrade paper

Although I worked with Multigrade for years (started using it shortly after its introduction way back in the 80's) I did't use it with the original Multigrade paper developer.

I preferred the more blueish black and higher contrast tones I got when using Multigrade with Tetenal Eukobrom paper developer

It depends. Maybe there is a site with specs claiming that your color head doesn't reach the most extreme high or low contrast settings of the filter kit. When you are unhappy with the contrast you might need one test strip more than a filter user to get your exposure compensation right. I rprinted with filters and Durst color heads in the past and think the difference doesn't matter much. Some folks might be after extremely high contrast they are most likely screwed since a color head is about one grade softer than a condenser counterpart. Others love splitgrade printing (why ever) and like Multigrade heads.

For a straight midrange contrast print it really shouldn't matter what you use.

Most colour heads don't provide sufficient Magenta density to reach the filtration needed for the hardest (most contrasty) paper grades. IIRC, you can only reach around a grade 4 with a dichroic head, but that's more than sufficient for most negatives.

In any event, you can supplement the dichroic head with a magenta gel filter if needed.

WRT condenser versus diffused head contrast. I never saw such a difference as a whole grade going between condenser or dichroic heads. Most condenser heads use a diffuse opal lamp, and this is really a semi-diffuse source. True point-source enlargers aren't at all common.

"..dialing up the B(lue) will decrease it.."

- That's a bit confusing, since there's no blue dial on a colour head. Better to say reducing the Yellow fitration.

I used to use a Durst color head with multigrade.

IIRC

90Y was grade 1/2 (you can't quite get "0").

30Y was grade 1

nothing was 2

40M was 3

70M was 4

130M was 4 1/2 (can't quite make 5).

Durst isn't CC values, although it is close, so don't go copying that over to a head not from Durst.

The numbers are slightly different for different papers and enlargers, but probably close enough.

It is at the far ends that they can differ, and that you might not reach.