Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/03/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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