Re: How to make Kodak Step Table?

Hi
In a message dated 9/6/05 8:34:56 AM, GGILIBERTI@controlotron.com writes:

>
> Mark,
>
>  
>
> I recently started to make some POP prints again (8x10 Chicago Albumen
> Works paper) and included your 31 step scale during the exposures (sunlight).
> Could you tell me how I can utilize the data of your scale in this type of
> printing situation? Since I lose density during gold toning and fixing I would
> like to create a "relatively" repeatable system for these sun exposures. For
> these tests I used both digital negatives, standard film 6x7 and 4x5
> negatives. (Note: My digital negatives are still lacking since I haven't perfected the
> process yet.)
>
>

Hi,

Are you going to be printing with in-camera negatives?

To use the 31 step to determine exposure time with an in camera negative, you
would have to over-expose the steptablet on the paper and then do your toning
and fixing and let it dry and determine how many steps are merged (equal
print density). Then you back off the exposure by the number of merged steps
minus 1. Since each step is 1/3 a stop (Log .10 Transmission Density), you back
off 1/3 a stop for each step. Example: if 3 steps are merged, you back
off 2 steps, or 2/3 a stop.

Now, this assumes that the Base + Fog of your in-camera negatives is the same
as that of the steptablet, which is about log .03. If it is higher, then
you have to then increase this standard printing time to account for that.

I don't work with in camera negatives so perhaps others on the list might
give you some suggestions or tricks to use.

Best Wishes,
Mark

Mark Nelson
Purchase the eBook & PDN System for Your Own Custom Digital Negative Workflow
@
Precision Digital Negatives
PDN's Own 31-Step Tablet Now Available—produced by Stouffer Industries
Coming Soon—Curve Calculator II will let you choose your toes!
www.MarkINelsonPhoto.com
Received on Tue Sep 6 12:48:59 2005