Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/02/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Peter Klein wrote: > > I've got a question for those of you who shoot Neopan 1600 at EI 1600 in > Xtol 1:3. > > The normal rule of thumb when you meter well-lit caucasian skin close up > or with a spot meter is to open up one stop for negative film, or 1/2 stop > for slide film. Does this apply to the very fast films, or do we need to > open up less because of lesser film latitude? > > Or a more general question: What is the general over/underexposure > latitude of Neopan 1600 compared to, say, Tri-X at 400 and/or 800? > > I understand that this depends on development time, developer, the local > water, and whether or not one sacrifices a chicken to the spirits of Ansel > and Minor. But some ballpark starting information would be useful. > After my recent bout with washed-out onstage faces, I've acquired a spot > meter and will be putting it to use forthwith. > > --Peter Klein > Seattle, WA > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html Peter I don't think the faster black and white films have lessor latitude! Unlike color slide films. If you think of it color neg fast films don't have less latitude that slower color neg films. That's my experience anyway! The easiest films I've ever printed were Neopan 1600 at 1600 in Xtol 1:3 and T-Max 3200 at 1600 in Rodinal 1:50 So I'd open up a half to full stop when I use Neopan 1600 on a Zone VI face otherwise I'd be underexposing and a brunette would have no detail in the hair. Blondes would appear to be brunettes. The horror! I'm sure you're aware that in a scene you'd be placing other areas, not Zone VI. You might be exposing for a lot of dark important detail which really has to be there and not have time to check that against the face. That's one thing that you hear talking about on zone system stuff. What you take readings of when you only have time for one quick reading. My guess is Neopan has perhaps a half stop MORE latitude than Tri-X at 400 in Neopan 1:2 (was my dilution then). I cant see how Xtol is going to get an ISO of 800 out of Tri x. When i expose less; the shadow detail disappears. And of course all the development in the world is not going to make it appear again. In this case at lease. I believe there area developers which one can use to get an extra stop out of film like Acufine, Diafine and Kodaks T-Max developer which makes T-Max P. 3200 3200 as a starting point. Awful stuff though. If you're not kidding and you really did get a spot meter then your going to learn a lot about the zone system fast or at least your thresholds and latitudes. And a nice veranda. Mark Rabiner Portland, Oregon USA Photography Website: http://www.rabinergroup.com Email: mark@rabinergroup.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html