Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/01/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Irving, First, you will of course have to do some experimenting yourself as no one meters like you do. However, Neopan 1600 using Xtol 1:3 acts a whole lot like Tri-X for me. Similar grain, similar shadow density, similar reaction to under or overexposure-just two stops faster. Compared to the 3200 films Neopan 1600 is much less grainy and some additional shadow detail. The caveat is that I do not print anymore, everything is scanned and my equipment seems to like thinner negatives over dense. Using the scanner I can pull shadow detail that almost looks like blank film. I suspect that the folk who downrate Neopan 1600 to the 800-1200 range are printing traditionally and therefore find it easier to print with more in the shadows. Unlike the T-max films Neopan doesn't easily block up in the highlights. This link is to an image using Delta 3200 at 3200 in Xtol 1:3 http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=711715 This link is to a fairly typical Neopan 1600 at 1600 in Xtol 1:3. Both shots using the meter in the M6 intelligently. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=910493 The wedding shot was exposed for the fathers face and the Neopan shot was metered off the bricks in the back as a middle gray. I hope this helps. As you might expect, I don't use the 3200 films unless I want the grain effect. Don dorysrus@mindspring.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html