coldlight head

[tim_kimbler]

Are replacement bulbs available for the Aristo and Omega coldlight heads? Can you use VC filters with these units, or must you use different paper grades? Is there any thing other than the bulb that may break on one of these heads?

[john_sarsgard2]

With older cold light heads, you get different contrast with different

filters, but the "real" contrast doesn't match the number on the

filter. Aristo's new bulb...the V-54...works much better. You can

buy one directly from Aristo...I think they cost about $100. They

have a web site. I just called them on the phone, and they were very

helpful. Sent the new bulb right out to me. I get much more even

contrast change with the filters now.

[george_nedleman]

The latest tube V-54 for the Arista can probably be purchased at B&H

Photo for less $. Be aware that VC papers do not respond as 1 to 1 to

graded papers with cold light. Howard Bond has written articles about

establishing correct correlationships to graded numbers.

[tom_johnston1]

For years, I used an Aristo head with the standard blue lamp which is

optimized for graded papers. As time went on I found myself using VC

papers more and more and I really didn't have any problem getting a

wide range of contrasts using filters with the graded lamp. Recently,

however, I switched to the V54 lamp and I am very happy with the even

contrast spacing I now get. I have yet to find out how graded papers

will work with the V54 lamp. I suspect that the only difference would

be, maybe, slightly longer printing times, all else equal.

 

<p>

 

In response to the other part of your question: There really isn't

anything else, that I know of, in the head to break except, perhaps,

the heating element and the contact points. But I think that they

will probably last virtually forever.