Paterson Colour Enlarger - Help me RTFM

[PapaJ]

Hello all, new to forums as you can see but also a relatively new fish to Dark Rooms. I've recently been inspired to set a dark room as an alternative to expensive commercial medium format developing. So, eBay account in hand I purchased a host of developing tanks, trays, cylinders, doohickeys and whatsamajigs, as well as nice Paterson enlarger.

The thing's great, but it didn't come with a manual (just some cool little filter exposure wheel) and there's nothing on the Patterson website. I was wondering where I could obtain a manual for it (a digital copy or otherwise). I can't seem to find a model number on it, and it looks different to the current model of Paterson enlarger that all the suppliers stock. I imagine it can't be THAT different to the current ones though, so any kind of documentation would be good. I'll post some pics as soon as I find that damn lead...

I mentioned I'm interested in developing medium format film (as well as 35mm), and you've probably realized that this is only a 35mm enlarger (doh!). Is it possible to convert or suppliment the enlarger to take medium format? Would it be a case of buying a new negative holder and a focusing lens or am I being too optimistic here? I guess I could probably replace the whole head of the unit with a medium format one, but I assume that's where the real cost of the things are (I got mine for £37!).

Thanks in advance.

[Benchista]

If it's the one I'm thinking of (with two sliders to control filtration - two colours only), I don't think there's any way to convert it to MF.

[PapaJ]

Thanks for the quick reply, the one I have actually has 14 sliders, 3 for Cyan, 5 for Magenta, 5 for Yellow and 1 for White.

[Benchista]

Ah, not one I'm familiar with, then, sorry.

[taxor]

I know the model you're referring to; my mate had one and then got rid of it. Can't be converted to MF I'm afraid.

[frank1]

I had one of these and I'm sure you should be able to find conversion tables with mono printing papers that'll suit whatever grades of paper your using.

[zx9]

I had one of these and I'm sure you should be able to find conversion tables with mono printing papers that'll suit whatever grades of paper your using.

It's usually in the instruction leaflet inside the box of paper sometimes even printed on the outside of the box. Only problem is knowing what CC values the Paterson filters are. Most instruction leaflets give values for different makes of enlarger but I don't recall seeing Paterson values listed, still should be close enough to get you started.
Have fun

[frank1]

I had one of these and I'm sure you should be able to find conversion tables with mono printing papers that'll suit whatever grades of paper your using.

It's usually in the instruction leaflet inside the box of paper sometimes even printed on the outside of the box. Only problem is knowing what CC values the Paterson filters are. Most instruction leaflets give values for different makes of enlarger but I don't recall seeing Paterson values listed, still should be close enough to get you started.
Have fun

I would say the numbers given produced good results and comparing the pics from my durst 605 (does mf up to 6/6 btw) the results were the same. Though it seems like along time ago. I went to check some of my boxes of printing paper to see the leaflet but all boxes were unopened. It's a sin really

[zx9]

I would say the numbers given produced good results and comparing the pics from my durst 605 (does mf up to 6/6 btw) the results were the same. Though it seems like along time ago. I went to check some of my boxes of printing paper to see the leaflet but all boxes were unopened. It's a sin really

AntSmith recently posted a link to a useful applet he has written in this thread which includes a CC filter / paper grade calculator.