Ansel Adams Letter About Darkroom Work 1971 Photography Autograph Signed Twice - $2,500 - (New York, NY)
An interesting technical letter to Joe Ferrante, maker of the CODELITE enlarging lamphead. Ansel describes his need for a high-intensity 4x5 enlarging lamphead and includes a sketch and note card. November 3rd, 1971 Dear Joe Ferrante, It was good to talk with you last evening; I am glad things are progressing, but it is hard luck about the insurance!!! I took out the entire condenser assembly; the aperture to which the bellows are attached is about 6-3/8*inches in diameter. The minimum distance from the opening to the negative is 1.5 inches. As most negatives would be further removed (I would guess 2 inches would be the minimum useful distance, the face of the diffusing glass could be 1.5 inches from the negative. The diagonal of the useful area of a 4x5 negative is 6 inches; actually, with the margins taken up with the negative holder it is a little less. Hence the 6-3/8* opening should be sufficient! It would mean mounting the light in a tube about 6-3/8* inches in diameter - projecting beyond a flat plate which would fit under the sliding clamps. No part of the condenser would be used. Actually, a square light about 7.5 inches sq, resting ON the basic camera plate against the 6-3/8* opening might do very well. NOTE: * I think I am in error; the opening is 6-5/8 inches in diameter. You will have to check this carefully on your enlarger. Coverage (optically) is one thing; coverage in illumination (edges and corners) is something else and equally important! Warmest greetings and regards as ever Ansel Adams Also included is a full-page drawing and a small note on a card, signed Ansel: DEAR JOE HERE IS THE ROUGH DRAWING AND THE PHOTO OF THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE CAMERA BACK. I CAN'T SPEND TOO MUCH ON THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE YOUR OPINION. THE IMPORTANT QUALITY IS HIGH INTENSITY (ACTINIC LIGHT) SO THAT THE SPEED OF EXPOSURE IS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE. IN THAT WAY WE AVOID DIFFICULT RECIPROCITY FAILURE. CHEERS AND REGARDS Ansel Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X…
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