"Multigrade head" question

I've only ever seen, and used, dichroic colour(YMC)head enlargers to

print b/w. When left to my own devices I use a set of multigrade

below the lens filters - brlliantly easy to use.

However I have heard of multigrade heads but never seen one and don't

know how functional they actually are. I guess these are for printing

b/w but how do hey work? I'd hope that they, like the below the lens

filters, keep the exposure as constant as possible through the

grades, but do they have click stops for each grade and a half or are

they infinitely variable between 00 and 5, ie 3.2 - do they even go

as low as 00? Its an old DeVere 54 I've got my eye on btw but why ask

the guy who's trying to sell it...afterall he wants to sell, if you

see what I mean! :O) Would this be a condenser or diffuser?

Any comments/advice greatfully appreciated on this.

After thought: The same guy is selling a De Vere DVF507 and a DVW504.

Again diddly squat info on the net about these two. So anybody who

has used these - again, any input appreciated.

Brian T

Brian,<br><br>

Most of the variable contrast heads lets you set the contrast grade in a

stepless maner, from 00 to 5. Also, they generaly have a ND filter that moves in

and out as you change the grade, thus keeping your exposure times more or less

constant.<br><br>

It is the case with all the Devere heads that I have used in the past. The DVW504

is the best of your list and, due to it's "young" age, has problably a diffusion

head.

Brian,

I guess different VC heads work in various ways. I use an Aristo VC head, which works very well with two bulbs that control the contrast level. I simply dial-in the grade I want (to one-tenth of a grade). I can make subtle accurate adjustments that often eliminate any need for dodging and burning. Aristo also makes a less expensive enlarger head that is used with a set of filters. I've heard that this head also works well. I would use the photo.net search engine to read previous discussions on variable contrast heads. There's much helpful information already on this site.