Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/12/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]John Straus wrote: >[snip] >I'm just wondering if some comments are being made as in expose your film @ >200, 320, 800 asa then just process as normal. Vs Truly pushing or pulling >and adjust processing. The first method is just over or under exposing not >really pushing or pulling... > My personal experience is that XP-2 Super gives weak shadows and an overall 'grainy' look when shot at 400 (especially in the color-printed 4X6 proofs I always get). It is also really easy to totally underexpose a shot, which makes me think that at 400 it is a stop over-rated anyway (just my hunch). I always shoot it at 200 or 250 and then process normally. The result is better shadows, practical grainlessness, and a very flat negative (low contrast). I print the good shots on normal B&W paper, usually at slightly higher contrast grades than I would for Ilford Delta, Kodak Plus-X, or any other conventional B&W film that I use for that matter. But, I like the overall gradations of XP2 when shot at 200, especially for caucasian skin tones, and the shadows are printable, the highlights manageable, and the greys are smooth and readily manipulated with VC filters in the darkroom. I have never altered the standard processing for XP2 (or Kodak's TCN or Portra). Cheap and locally available C-41 processing is one strong reason for me to use the stuff, and push and pull processing makes it more expensive. I guess I am really just over-exposing by a stop, but it works for me! On the reverse side of this, how do people shoot Scala? I have 10 rolls I recently picked up and the first two are pretty uninspiring, especially considering the cost. I got good contrast, maybe a little high, but overall weak highlights - seems a little bottom-heavy. Any tips? Thanks, - - marc *** Marc Attinasi *** * mailto: marc@attinasi.org * * http://www.attinasi.org * - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html