I just purchased the Pinstra contact print frame. I want to use it to print images from paper negatives which i took with the Pinstra.
What are some of he basics regarding light sources and exposure times? Some 'analog. forums suggest a range of wattages for incandescent bulbs (re: say about 15 to 60 watts) and the times range as well but are based on using film negatives, not paper ones.
As an aside, he person recommended a much more diluted developer, perhaps to have more control over the final print?
Any information or links are appreciated.
You’ll need to make a test strip, that’s the only way you can be sure for your set up/distance/bulb strength.
Personally I’d use a low power bulb, that way if you need to shorten the exposure you can, otherwise you might struggle to make accurate exposures using a simple switch. You could also increase the distance between the bulb and frame. If you can measure the distances, you can calculate the expected change in exposure.
Review the Inverse Square law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse-square_law
You can dilute, and personally I prefer to, but consider how much actual developer is in the solution you make up. So unless you are tray developing where there is more volume and therefor a greater amount of the active components, don’t dilute too much. Temperature is also a consideration as to the speed of development.