Magnification on your enlarger

This is going to get a bit technical, so bear with me! This is the ratio between the print and the negative. It is calculated using the linear rule. To make things easy, lets say we are going to enlarge a thirty-five mm negative (24 x 36 mm) by a factor of ten this will give us a print size of 240 x 360 millimeters ( about 9" x 14") in size.

Magnification is related to the distance the negative is from the enlarging lens and the lens from the baseboard. So as the latter distance increases the former decreases. In other words the higher the enlarging head is from the baseboard the closer the lens gets to the negative when it is being focused and vice versa. It stands to reason that the larger the print the longer the exposure time will need to be. There will also need to be a change in paper grade to a harder one as there is a softening in the contrast.

Printing. Basic amount of kit.

The minimum amount of kit you need to produce a photographic print.

1. Enlarger with red filter and filter head (colour) or multi grade head. Without filter head separate multi grade filters. Enlarging lens.
2. Enlarging frame 18 cm x 24 cm (7"x 9") two-blade.
3. Orange/red safe light and ordinary light.
4. Four dishes minimum size 18 cm x 24 (7"x 9").
5. Three pairs of tongs, one each for developer,stop-bath and fix.
6. Three funnels of different colours or marked dev'. stop and fix.
7. A measuring jug of a 1000mls.
8. At least three storage bottles for your chemicals.
9. Timer with alarm or timer.
10. Thermometer alcohol type times three but you can get away with one.
11. Puffer brush.
12. Multi grade paper.
13. Paper cutter.
14. Focusing device.