Electronic Contrast Control  Timer

Introduced: 1956
Discontinued: 1960

This timer was developed in cooperation with DuPont Corporation to simplify printing on that company's Varigam variable contrast paper.  The system consisted of two components, the timer/computer unit, and a double filter holder, with yellow (soft) and blue (hard) contrast filters, that mounted under the enlarger lens. During the exposure, a small solenoid on the Filter Control Unit was activated by the computer to swing the filter holder from yellow to blue.  In use, the user would typically determine the correct exposure time by the usual means to achieve the desired print density. The contrast could then be adjusted to get the perfect overall print without the user having to adjust the exposure time; the computer calculated the actual exposure time required for the specified contrast while maintaining the same print density.  Either time or contrast could be adjusted without requiring adjustment of the other.  Effectively, this was the first split-grade VCCE (variable contrast, constant exposure) system.  However, at a price of $135.00 in 1956, it was out of reach for most consumers.

Used Advice:  A very rare item. Given the age of the components and circuitry, and the fact that it was calibrated for Varigam filters and paper, which haven't existed for years, we consider the unit obsolete.

Timer

Status

  7446

Electronic Contrast Control Timer for D2, D3, B8, B7, E3, E4, E5

  7246

  7146

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