INTRODUCTION TO DARKROOM

Analyzers and Densitometers

Analyzers and densitometers quickly and accurately determine correct filtration, contrast and exposure for prints. An analyzer saves you the trouble of printing by "trial and error" thereby saving time, paper and ultimately, money. Analyzers can take multiple spot readings from areas on the negative, average them together and give you a reference exposure value for that particular print.

Using a test strip and a reference negative (generally supplied when you buy the machine), the analyzer can be automatically programmed to neutral gray. Some analyzers contain more than one channel and will allow you to maintain profiles of more than one kind of paper. Some analyzers will also act as an enlarging timer.

Operation is relatively easy. Once you have calibrated the analyzer, place a negative in the enlarger and, by using the analyzer's probe, take a reading from a similar test area of the negative, press the "Analyze" button, and the analyzer will give you a set of readings that you then transfer to the enlarger.

Some analyzers come with foot switches for ease of operation as well as factor in burning and dodging times. Densitometers act in a similar fashion and provide a way of determining slope characteristics of printing paper. Analyzers come in many designs with some coming with a minimum of features and others coming "stocked".