Re: Strange Thing with Step Wedge

Pascal MIELE (pascal.miele@wanadoo.fr)
Thu, 24 Jul 1997 17:56:48 +0100

>I tried to make an enlarged step wedge from my Stouffer step wedge so that I
>can measure the density in the final print because the original is very
>small. It was a 35mm steps, and I enlarged it to 4x5. I found that the steps
>go darker and darker (as expected) and then start to turn lighter from step 6
>to step 2. Then step 1 gets darkest (as expected).
>
>Is there any explanation for this effect? I used ARISTA Graphic Arts film and
>developed in Dektol 1:9 as suggested by some. If it is too diluted, I would
>think it should flat off instead of going lighter. I don't think solarization
>had happen, or had it. Is it just that the step tablet cannot be enlarged?
>
>TIA!
>
>David
>
>PS: Am I the only one who didn't get any mail from the list for the past 2
>days?

when you print a step tablet on film or paper, (contact or enlarge) you
don't have a copy but the result of the material's sensitometric
characteristics.

It's why we can trace the film or paper curves

making a precise argentic step tablet is not an easy work and it's why this
little piece of film is expensive, it's not just a sheet of film.

Pascal MIELE