Ed,
Thank you again for the help and suggestions all of which are much appreciated and also thank you for the links.
I will probably use the plates and film in conjunction to cover my bases while I'm learning however while I am messing with shutters and exposure times developer temperatures etc. I'm going to use the film more as it's half the cost even though a little more problematic.(hopefully not to many conniption fits)
Thank you for the tip on the contact print frame, I will see if I can find one. I was toying with building a film holder with some anti newton ring glass so I'm hoping that turns out well.
Steven,
My laser is a tem00 532nm >10wm DPSS module I bought from light vision technologies about 7 years back but had not used it. The unit is putting out around 20-30mw at full power but I don't have a meter to test it properly.
I built a Michelson Interferometer and pushed one arm out to 25 inches and still had fringes at full power so have my fingers crossed its OK. The fringes looked stable after the unit had warmed up and I took some photos of them but
I'm not sure how to attach them here. I was quite chuffed the fringes were stable enough for me to photograph while I was standing next to the table.
Valery,
I have sent you a PM.
Thank you all for the input and advice, much appreciated.
Grayham