Got my 127 B/W roll developed – I am Disappointed

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ajishc

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All,

I just got back my 127 roll pictures and it dashed my expectations. The pictures are in focus but they kind of look dull like washed out. I took the pictures on my Yashica 44 A with Shutter speed as 1/100 and aperture f/16 (Sunny 16 rule). The film I used is Efke R100 B&W 100 127 (from B&H). These are outdoor picture on a sunny day.

I have seen similar picture posted on other websites and they look so much better. My pictures lack the contrast I was looking for.

Any idea what am I messing up here. Or is it an issue with the TLR

Suggesting and Guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Ajish
 
Are you good at using f16? Did you take a meter reading at least? Did the light change from one photograph to the other? Can you scan one so we can see? Shutterspeed and aperture are not enough information.
 
Thanks for all the response. I don't have a light meter.

I went with the Sunny 16 rule and as my roll was ISO 100 kept the shuter speed as 1/100 and aperture as f/16.

The pictures look dull. I don;t have a scanner to scan the image.

Ajish
 
Sunny, bright days can often give you those flat pics. But it could also be the development. I assume the lens is nice and clear? Are you sure the camera exposes properly? Do the shutter speeds sound in the ball park? I would try another roll on a cloudy day or when the sun is subdued and use a hand held meter or a camera w/ a meter to eliminate that from the equation. If you could take the negs to a different lab that would also hopefully eliminate that variable. If you still have the problem there is no alternative to sending the camera in to have the speeds checked. Then use a fresh roll of film. Shoot on an overcast day. Use a good lab. You will get good pics.
 
look at the negs. Are they contrasty looking?Do you see deep dense black regions and almost completely transparent regions? If you do, they messed up the printing. If oyu don't, they might have messed up the development, or your camera might have a shutter that does not work well, or your camera might have a taking lens that is fogged badly (this you can check by opening the camera back, opening the shutter on Bulb or Time setting and looking through the lens towards a light source. Don't look into the Sun - pick a less intense source. It shold be clear glass with some dust speckles eventually. If it looks like it is fogged, that is the problem.)
 
All,

Your response is so much encouraging. It helps me keep going.

I do see very dark areas and completely transparent areas in the negative.

What hand held meter would you recommend that’s not too expensive and I can carry it in my pocket; 127 film is too expensive to waste.

I am not completely ruling out my camera. Its possible the shutter speed or aperture is not correct. How do I validate that? I bought the camera (my first TLR) a month ago from Ebay and lever that sets the aperture is little loose (I am not sure if that’s an issue or this is how its suppose to be). But I do see the change in aperture size when I set the lever at various settings.

Thanks again

Ajish
 
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