Topic: the what is this and how can I use it thread

[jojonas~]

so I got home from my vacation up north, ventured into the darkroom with apparently new eyes and stopped to think about two things I found there.. and I have to, pretty please , ask for some guidance on using them.

the first thinga-mo-jing is an ilford exposure monitor m-1
I gather it can be used to measure light when printing. I tried looking around on the ilford page, apug and general google but I'm just getting confused I think. can someone give me enough meat on the bones so I can try and use it? a note: I have not read the negative, which seems to be necessary  

the second thing is pretty basic I guess. a print flattener I think?
I was thinking about using it for my postcards but it reminds me of an old toaster I used to have -and I don't want to start a fire in the darkroom. should the prints be wet when using it? there's a towel inside the thing, I'm guessing it's just for removing dust? again, guidance is appreciated

PS. 'scuze the crappy cell phone shots!

[Francois]

Well, the print dryer is used on wet FB prints only. RC usually doesn't need this kind of treatment. I must admit that this is the strangest looking one I've seen so far. Also looks really ancient... maybe you want to build a Steampunk darkroom that would be a first.

And the exposure meter is quite simple to use. It's possible that there is an adjustment screw on it if it came with a special negative. Once calibrated (if it needs to), you just turn the enlarger on, put the small dot on the spot you want to measure and turn the button. It will indicate when it's over or underexposed. Then, the number of seconds required for proper exposure should be indicated bi the pointer on the button.

Mine is not an Ilford but a Paterson. I noticed it helps getting your print in the ballpark. Then, you just adjust by eye adding or removing the number of stops to get it right. Don't use the stops on the lens for that, just divide or multiply the time by 2 for every stop you change.

[Diane Peterson]

Francois...I wish you lived next door to me..you have all the answers..I mean if you ever want to come for a visit.. ..I am sure I could ask enough questions so you would never be at a loss for something to do..even if I do live out in the boonies!!

[jojonas~]

francois, my hero in shining pedagogy armour! haha

I'm pretty sure I've got some fb prints done here (ilfobrom), might try it out on just one first though.
dunno how old it is but I think I've seen a pretty similar model before. maybe it's locally made? I'll check for markings next time..

and the exposure meter, I was hoping those were seconds! I'll do some test strips to see how it works. any idea where I should measure though? the brightest/darkest part or some % of grey maybe?

[Francois]

The meters are always designed to measure for middle gray (18% card or zone V).
Anything outside will be brought back to gray.

Mine comes with a piece of white polyester film (like vellum) on a hoop with a stick. I have to put the diffuser in front of the lens, rotate a dial until the light turns on and then try to figure out if there is more black or white and in which proportion to adjust the exposure by eye. Mine doesn't have a spot reading capability in itself... though it could do it.

What I usually end up doing is measuring, guessing the adjustment and making a first test print. Before washing, I look at the print under good light and decide on what to do. Since I work in stops in the darkroom too, I usually add 1 or 2 stops, or subtract 1 or 2 stops depending on the test print. Second one is usually right on the money.

And yes Diane, if I ever get to visit Idaho, I'll drop by for a visit

[jojonas~]

ok, middle gray. got it noted

I tried exposing by the lightest and darkest area (though on old paper) I'll try again next time I'm in the darkroom. I haven't had much problems making prints as I like them but getting a starting value is still nice. less test strips down the trash

[Francois]

What I've found since I started using the meter is that I never do test strips anymore. I'd rather get a print (or part of it) and decide if it should be darker or lighter by eye.

Good thing about this way of working is that it's easier to take notes if you do intricate dodging and burning. Instead of saying 10s & 15s, you just say 0 & ½... and it's good for any format you decide to print at.