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The best printer in the world by design.

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VC-CLS and VC-SCAN

Manual Contents


INSTALLATION

QUICKSTART

FEATURES

BASIC CONTROLS

ADVANCED CONTROLS

INTRODUCTION TO THE VC-SCAN OPERATION FOR THE VC-CLS

THE VC-SCAN SYSTEM

INSTALLING THE VC-SCAN

BASIC OPERATION

SETUP PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-SCAN OPERATION

USING THE VC-SCAN IN THE AUTO-SCAN MODE

SCANNING TIPS

EXTREMES SCANNING

ADVANCED OPERATIONS

SETUP PROCEDURE FOR ZONE-MATCH

USING THE ZONE MATCH (TARGET GREY) MODE

ADJUSTING THE AUTO-SCAN SETUP

ADJUSTING THE ZONE-MATCH SETUP

SELECTING PAPER CHANNELS

PAPER CHANNELS IN THE AUTO-SCAN MODE

PAPER CHANNELS IN ZONE-MATCH MODE

FACTORY RESETTING A PAPER CHANNEL

USING THE AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE TIME CORRECTION (A. T. C.)

USING THE DENSITY DISPLAY MODE

VC-SCAN OPERATION AND THE A.E.B. MODES IN THE VC-CLS

USING GRAGED PAPER WITH THE VC-SCAN SYSTEM

PRINTING TIPS USING THE VC-SCAN SYSTEM

USING STEP WEDGES WITH THE VC-SCAN SYSTEM

STEP WEDGES AND AUTO-SCAN MODE

STEP WEDGES AND ZONE MATCHING

TROUBLE-SHOOTING

ERROR MESSAGES

TECHNICAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

 

 

Congratulations on your purchase of the ZBE VC-CLS Variable Contrast Light Source. Your new enlarger lightsource should provide you with years of trouble-free service.


INSTALLATION

Follow these simple steps and you will be up and running in a few minutes.

  1. Remove all contents and packing material from original container.
  2. Do not discard any packing material until you are satisfied that all of the components are present and accounted for and are in good condition. If the carton is damaged CONTACT THE SHIPPER IMMEDIATELY!
  3. Caution has been taken to carefully pack and ship the VC-CLS; however, shipping damage may occur during transit. If you find concealed damage, please notify your dealer immediately.
  4. The content of the carton should contain the following:

    ONE VC-CLS LIGHTSOURCE

    ONE OPERATING MANUAL

    ONE FOOTSWITCH

    ONE VC-SCAN (If ordered)

  5. The VC-CLS has been designed to fit most 4x5 enlargers. The unit contained in this carton will fit Beseler M and V series and Omega D-5 series chassis without adapters. If you have a different enlarger, please contact ZBE, Inc. for the appropriate adapter.
  6. Plug the footswitch into either of the identical connects at the rear of the unit. Secure with flat-blade screwdriver - DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN.
  7. Replace the existing lamphouse with your VC-CLS. When mounting the VC-CLS on a Beseler 4x5 chassis, be sure to adjust the top bellows to the closed position. Omega D series chassis require an adapter to secure the
    VC-CLS to the lifting rods. These adapter plates have been included at no additional costs. Do not discard these plates as you may need them for future use.
  8. Adjust brackets to achieve a level and secure fit.

We have made it very easy for you to get started. you may begin with the "QUICKSTART" instruction below.

 

QUICKSTART

  1. Plug the AC cord into a 110V grounded outlet.
  2. Turn on the main power switch at the rear of the unit. The VC-CLS has a built-in audible timer....there is no need to use your timer.
  3. Your VC-CLS is now ready for use.
  4. Press FOCUS to turn on the light and compose your print.


  1. Press TIME and turn the speed wheel to your desired exposure time. You may turn the wheel clockwise or counterclockwise in order to reach the desired exposure time. Once you have dialed in the exposure time, press ENTER.



  1. Press GRADE and spin the speed wheel to the desired grade, or spin to
    ( - ) beyond grade 5 for graded paper. Now, press ENTER.


  1. Press FOCUS to turn off the focus light.


  1. Use the footswitch to make an exposure.
  2. The VC-CLS requires some warm-up time prior to making the first exposure. Turning on the focus light will speed up the warming process.



The VC-CLS is not like any other lightsource. By reading the rest of this manual, you will see how this unique lightsource can really perform for you!


FEATURES

  • Easy to read digital display
  • Built-in audible timer
  • Speed wheel
  • Adjustable/Controllable contrast 0-5 in half-grades
  • print memories
  • Closed-Loop control
  • Print number counter
  • Built-in diagnostics/tests
  • Long-life mercury vapor cold-cathode tubes
  • Even illumination
  • Automatic contrast dodge and burn
  • Adjustable "Focus Light"
  • Microprocessor-controlled, stabilized power supply
  • Display dimmer
  • Paper Grade Bias Control throughout



BASIC CONTROLS

 



 

  1. THE SPEED WHEEL
    The speed wheel is used anytime you need to enter or set a number. Turn the speed wheel clockwise and the number will count up. Turn it counterclockwise and the number will go down. The speed wheel is also sensitive to how fast you turn it. If you spin it, the number will change in large steps - - turn it slowly, and the numbers will change in small steps.

    The speed wheel is also used to select OPTIONS from the Options menu.

  2. ENTERING TIME
    Press TIME, turn the speed wheel to desired time and press ENTER.
    (You may adjust the exposure in log density units by pressing TIME twice and turning the speed wheel to the desired plus or minus log density. (Note: 30 units = one F-Stop.)



  1. ENTERING GRADE
    Press GRADE, turn the speed wheel to the desired grade, press ENTER. You have the option of pressing GRADE and not use the speed wheel. Each time you press GRADE, you cycle through the contrast range in half-grade steps. You will see a ( - ) as you cycle past grade 5. The ( - ) is the setting for graded paper.



  1. TURNING ON THE FOCUS LIGHT
    Press FOCUS to turn on the Focus light. Press it again or press CANCEL to turn it off.



  1. STARTING YOUR EXPOSURE
    Use the footswitch to make an exposure. You may cancel exposure by pressing CANCEL.



  1. TURNING DISPLAY PANEL LIGHTS OFF/ON
    Press DISPLAY to turn off. Press it again to turn on.



  1. DIMMING DISPLAY PANEL LIGHTS
    Press DISPLAY, turn the speed wheel, release DISPLAY, continue to turn the speed wheel to the desired display brightness, press ENTER.



  1. SAVING A PRINT INTO MEMORY
    After you make a print, you can save the exposure time and contrast grade of that print in memory. Press SAVE to select the memory save operation. Turn the speed wheel to select the memory number into which you want to store the print. Press ENTER to save the print in memory.



  1. RECALLING A PRINT FROM MEMORY
    Press RECALL. Turn the speed wheel to the desired memory print number, press ENTER to recall the memory.



 

 

ADVANCED CONTROLS

 

Additional features of your VC-CLS are accessed via the Options menu. Press the OPTIONS key repeatedly or use the speed wheel to view the different options.

ORGANIZATION OF THE OPTIONS MENU:

PRINT COUNTER

AUTO EXPOSURE AND CONTRAST CONTROL (WITH VC-SCANNER)

USER PREFERENCE MENU

  • AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE BALANCING (A.E.B.)
  • GRADE ADJUSTMENT
  • BEEP ON/OFF
  • FOCUS LEVEL
  • MASTER RESET
  • CALIBRATE

TEST MENU (FAULT DIAGNOSTICS)

  • SELF TEST
  • LAMP TEMPERATURE
  • HEATER FAN ON/OFF


 

VIEWING THE PRINT COUNTER

The print counter keeps track of the number of exposures which you have made. Press OPTIONS. You will see:



Press CANCEL to return to the normal display.


 

CLEARING OR SETTING THE PRINT COUNTER

Press OPTIONS. You will see:



Press ENTER to access print counter, turn the speed wheel to the desired print count. Press ENTER to set the print counter. You may make exposures from this Option mode.

 

AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE BALANCING (A.E.B.)

This option is used to turn on the Automatic Exposure balancing features. The A.E.B. features allow you to change the contrast grade and reprint without resetting the exposure. There are two different methods of exposure balancing available.

A.E.B. BALANCE -

In this mode, the light intensity is balanced so that all grades will print at the same exposure time. Please note that this mode causes the middle grades to print slowly.

A.E.B. HIGH -

This mode runs all grades at maximum intensity. When changing grades, the exposure time will change automatically to keep the print density the same from grade to grade. This mode maintains the shortest exposure times.

A.E.B. OFF -

In this mode, none of the grades are exposure balanced. Changing grades will require changing exposure times.


Press OPTION to select the options menu. Turn the speed wheel until the Preferences option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER. Turn the speed wheel until the Automatic Exposure Balancing (A.E.B.) option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER. Turn the speed wheel to select between the three modes.



Press ENTER to select the Preferred mode.

 

GRADE ADJUSTMENT (BIAS)

This option allows you to "fine tune" each grade. You can adjust both contrast and the density. The adjustment you make at this setting effects the currently selected grade.

Press OPTION to select the Options menu. Turn the speed wheel until the Preferences option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER. Turn the speed wheel until the grade option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER. The display will flash the current contrast grade as a reminder of which grade you are now adjusting.

Turn the speed wheel to select the amount of adjustment to this contrast grade. The contrast is adjustable in tenth grade (.1) increments. You may adjust up (+) or down (-) in tenths of a grade. Press ENTER to set the adjustment.

Turn the speed wheel to select the amount of adjustment to the density. The density adjustment is in "log density units." NOTE: The density adjustment made here will effect the intensity of the printing light. It will not necessarily change the print density by that amount. The actual print density will depend on the contrast and density of the negative you are printing.

Press ENTER to set the density adjustment.

 

TURNING THE BEEP ON/OFF

Press OPTIONS to select the Options menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Preferences option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Preferences menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Beep option appears. Press ENTER to select the Beep option. The display will show:



Turn the speed wheel to select:


Press ENTER to make the selection.

 

SETTING THE FOCUS LIGHT LEVEL

The light level used for focusing may be set to one of two levels:

  • MAXIMUM BRIGHTNESS
  • SAME BRIGHTNESS AND COLOR AS THE EXPOSING LIGHT FOR THE SELECTED GRADE.

Press OPTIONS to select the Options menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Preferences option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Preferences menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the focus level option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Focus Level option.

Turn the speed wheel to select the focus level.


or



Press ENTER to set the selected focus light level.

 

MASTER RESET

 

The Master Reset operation will clear all memories and any grade adjustments. This is the condition in which you received the VC-CLS new from the factory.

Press OPTIONS to select the Options menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Preferences option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Preferences menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Reset option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Reset option.

The Master Reset operation is protected against accidental entry. Turn the speed wheel until the display shows:



Press ENTER for master reset.

 

SELF TEST

NOTE: This Self Test mode is for factory diagnostics only. It should be used only for telephone consulting diagnostics with factory personnel.

Press OPTIONS to select the Options menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Test option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Test menu.



Press ENTER to start the automatic self test.

 

TEMPERATURE, HEATER AND FAN TESTS

Press OPTIONS to select the Options menu.

Turn the speed wheel until the Test option appears. The display will show:



Press ENTER to select the Test menu.

Turn the speed wheel to access the temperature, heater or fan tests. The display will show:

Temperature Test:


Heater Test:


Fan Test:



Press CANCEL to return to the normal display.


 

INTRODUCTION TO THE VC-SCAN OPERATION

FOR THE VC-CLS

THE VC-SCAN SYSTEM


Congratulations on your purchase of the VC-SCAN system for the VC-CLS System from ZBE, Inc. The VC-SCAN is a sophisticated photo sensing scan systems designed specifically for use with the VC-CLS and Starlite 55 Closed Loop Color Head. Now you can concentrate on composing your print, not on the aggravating process of guessing what grade and exposure time to use. The VC-SCAN is designed for use with Black and White variable contrast print paper and Black and White negatives only. It cannot analyze color negatives for Black and White or color printing.

The most powerful feature of the VC-SCAN is the Auto-Scan mode. The Auto-Scan will automatically select the grade and exposure time for any negative you choose by simply scanning the image of the negative. Before you can use the Auto-Scan mode, it is necessary to "set-up" the VC-SCAN. The setup procedure for the Auto-Scan mode is simple: take a good reference negative, make a good print, and scan the image. The VC-SCAN will learn what a good print looks like.

The VC-SCAN has some advanced features. You can adjust and customize the Auto-Scan operation in both density and contrast. You can setup and use the VC-SCAN with different paper types and different negative types. The Automatic Time Correction allows prints to be made at different sizes without re-testing for exposure time. The Density Display feature makes your VC-Scan a transmission densitometer. These are just a couple more ways to save time and hassle in the darkroom.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please read this manual through the Basic Operations section before attempting use of the VC-SCAN. The VC-SCAN requires a precise setup to perform properly.

 

INSTALLING THE VC-SCAN

Installing the VC-SCAN on your VC-CLS is simple.

Take a moment to identify the various parts of the VC-SCAN system. On the VC-SCAN unit, the small spot in the center of the white circle is the sensor area. This is where light is measured. There are two buttons on your VC-SCAN. The left is the SCAN button and the right is the END button. These are used to start and stop the scan operations. The connector, at the end of the cable, plugs into your VC-CLS.

The following are the steps required to install the VC-SCAN unit on the VC-CLS:

  1. Disconnect the power.
  2. Remove the VC-CLS from the enlarger and place it on a flat surface.
  3. Locate the interface connectors at the rear of the VC-CLS unit. (These are the same connectors in which the footswitch plugs into.)
  4. Plug the VC-SCAN into the unused connector.
  5. Tighten down the retaining screws on the connector.
  6. Replace the VC-CLS onto the enlarger. Reconnect the power.

This completes the VC-SCAN installation.

 

BASIC OPERATION

 

SETUP PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-SCAN OPERATION

Before the VC-SCAN can be used for automatic contrast and density selection, it must "learn" how to make a good print. The VC-SCAN works by reading the negative as it is projected on the baseboard. By reading the density extremes of the negative in this manner, the VC-SCAN can select the best grade and exposure for this print.

Follow these steps to set up the Auto-scan mode:

  1. Find a good negative to use for the setup. This negative should be properly exposed with a good range of tones. DO NOT USE A STEP WEDGE or any negative with a step wedge in it. It will not work properly for the setup. (See the advanced operations section regarding use of step wedges.)

  2. Make a good print as you normally would: 8X10 size, 2 stops down, on VC paper. Select a grade that gives a good whites, blacks, and the wide range of greys.

    We now want the VC-SCAN to "learn" to reproduce that good print. Do not change any of the print settings, grade, time, or aperture.

  3. Begin the learning process by pressing the SCAN button (on the VC-SCAN ) and the SAVE button ( on the VC-CLS ) simultaneously. Release both buttons. The light will come on. The display will show "Lrn".

  4. Scan the image by doing the following:

    Find the lightest area of the image on the baseboard (the darkest area on the print).

    Place the sensor spot of the VC-SCAN in that area. Press SCAN until a long beep sounds. Sensing of a bright spot "excites" the sensor and gets it started.

    Scan the entire area of the image: position the sensor in the upper left corner of the image area and press SCAN. While holding down SCAN move the VC-SCAN back and forth across the image, scan one line at time with a smooth, slow pace. Don't use a random scan pattern, it is not accurate. Refer to diagram 1 for optimal scan pattern. A thorough scan may take a minute or so for an 8X10 image. Do not scan outside the image area. If you make a mistake, press "CANCEL" and go to step 3.

 


(DIAGRAM 1)


  1. After the entire image has been scanned thoroughly, release the SCAN button and press END. The VC-CLS will beep twice to tell you the learning is complete.

That's all there is to setting up the Auto-Scan mode. The VC-SCAN can now automatically select the grade and exposure time for you. Refer to the advanced operations section regarding learning different scan channels and making adjustments to the learned settings.

Should any problems arise during this procedure, please refer to the Trouble-Shooting and Error Messages sections at the end of the manual.

 

USING THE VC-SCAN IN THE AUTO-SCAN MODE

Note: Before using this mode you must go through the Auto-Scan setup procedure. If you have not done this yet, go back to the "Auto-Scan setup" section. The Auto-Scan operation is the most useful and time-saving feature of the VC-SCAN system. When used properly you will no longer need to make test prints before getting a good first print.

Follow these steps to use the Auto-Scan mode:

  1. Take your new, unknown negative and place it in the enlarger. Compose and focus the image and set aperture as usual.

  2. To begin the Auto-Scan process press SCAN once and release it. The light will come on. The display will show "SCn"

  3. Scan the image by doing the following:

    Find the lightest area of the image on the baseboard (the darkest area on the print)

    Place the sensor spot in that area. Press SCAN until a beep sounds. Sensing of a bright spot "excites" the sensor and gets it started.

    Scan the entire area of the image: position the sensor in the upper left corner of the image area and press SCAN. While holding down SCAN move the VC-SCAN back and forth across the image, scan one line at time with a smooth, slow pace. Don't use a random scan pattern, it is not accurate. Refer to diagram 1 for optimal scan pattern. A thorough scan may take a minute or so for and 8X10 image. Do not scan outside the image area. If you make a mistake, press CANCEL and go to step 2.

    Note that there is a much faster method for scanning which is described below. See the section on "Extremes Scanning" on page 22.

    After the entire image has been scanned thoroughly, release the SCAN button and press END. The VC-CLS will beep once, display the new time and grade and then beep twice. you may cancel the new values by pressing CANCEL before the last two beeps.

That's all there is to using the Auto-Scan mode. You are now ready to make an exposure. Insert the VC paper and make the exposure. Chances are you might have chosen a starting time and grade different from the display.

Don't worry. Trust the VC-SCAN system. This print will be a good first print. The advanced operations section of this manual will described how you can fine tune your Auto-Scan operation.

 

SCANNING TIPS

When using the Auto-Scan, some negatives may print over or under-exposed. This is due to the negative being over or under-exposed in relation to the main subject. To fix this you can Auto-Scan the main subject only. This can be very important when doing portraits. The backgrounds can be very different from negative to negative, but the faces will have a more consistent range of tones. Try scanning just the faces and you will get much better results. (See diagram 2.)




EXTREMES SCANNING

There is an alternative method of scanning called "extremes scanning." Extremes scanning yields good, predictable results and is faster than the usual scanning technique. Extreme scanning, however, requires more skill and practice.

Extremes Scanning works on the principal that the Auto-Scan analyzes the density extremes of the image (the lightest and darkest areas).

Use Extremes Scanning as follows:

  1. Start the Auto-Scan operation by pressing the SCAN key.

  2. Locate the brightest area of the image on the baseboard (the darkest shadow area of the print). Place the VC-SCAN on this area, and start scanning (hold down the SCAN key). Carefully scan in and around this area until you're sure the VC-SCAN has seen the whole area. Release the SCAN key. It can be difficult to know if you've selected the brightest area to scan. Identify one or two other bright areas and repeat this procedure.

  3. Locate the darkest area of the image on the baseboard (the lightest highlight of the print). Place the VC-SCAN on this area, and start scanning (hold down the SCAN key) carefully scan in and around this area until you're sure the VC-SCAN has seen the whole area. Release the SCAN key. It can be difficult to know if you've selected the darkest area to scan. Identify one or two other dark areas and repeat this procedure.

  4. Press the END key to end the Auto-Scan.

As mentioned this procedure may take some practice before you can consistently achieve good results.

Should any problems arise during this procedure, please refer to the Trouble-Shooting and Error Message sections at the end of the manual.

 

 

© 2004 ZBE Inc. 805.576.1600 1035 Cindy Ln. Carpinteria, CA 93013 info@zbe.com