Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/03/01

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Subject: [Leica] Exposure and Development
From: michiel.fokkema at wanadoo.nl (Michiel Fokkema)
Date: Thu Mar 1 12:04:27 2007
References: <C20C98BB.47191%mark@rabinergroup.com>

Mark Rabiner wrote:
> On 3/1/07 1:53 PM, "Lottermoser George" <imagist3@mac.com> typed:
> 
>> Under exposure and overdevelopment do not properly describe fine
>> photographic technique.
>>
>> Ideally we want to expose properly to provide desired shadow detail
>> while developing properly to control highlight separation for any
>> particular scene's contrast range.
>>
>> While this is very applicable to sheet film, and to some degree 120
>> rolls, where you use an entire roll for one condition, it becomes
>> tricky when you've exposed a 36 exposure roll of 35mm film in 5 or 6
>> different contrasted scenes.
>>
>> So. You want to find the ISO rating : development combination which
>> will best suit the full range of contrast situations that your roll
>> will find itself exposed to. Once you've hit that ideal compromise.
>> You really don't want to 'over expose' or 'under develop' (or 'under
>> expose' and 'over develop') unless you're trying to save an important
>> frame or group of frames.
>>
>> The terms:
>> 'over exposure' implies too light and blown highlights
>> 'under exposure' implies too dark and lost shadows
>> 'over development' implies blown highlights
>> 'under development' implies lost shadows.
>> In all cases these terms also imply poor technique, and lack of
>> control and/or understanding of what's going on with your materials
>> and chemistry.
>>
>> Regards,
>> George Lottermoser
>> george@imagist.com
>>
> 
> 
> I see it pretty much the way you see,  George.
> The best direction to err on is to not err at all.
> Aim for the middle. Which seems to be what you are saying.
> 
Well, I did start for the recommended way of the middle. That way gave 
me not the right results. Exposing at 1000 and developing a bit less 
give me better results. I checked again on the Xtol techsheet and it 
clearly shows that exposing more and developing less gives a lower 
contrast index. I'm using a Focomat 1c which is a condenser enlarger. It 
makes sense to use a bit lower contrast.
But I rather have a 1600 film than a 1000. I will try again on 1600 and 
use your development routine.

-- 
Best regards,

Michiel Fokkema


Replies: Reply from walt at waltjohnson.com (Walt Johnson) ([Leica] Exposure and Development)
In reply to: Message from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] Exposure and Development)