FM3a B&W Photos...

[italy74]

What a pity I didn't scan also the BW400CN who came out just wonderful although with a completely different look... T-Max 400 taken up to 1600
Collecchio, July 11/12th, 2009 - Moroccan boys / girls at their first experience abroad

 

[payasam]

The picture taken in the church is excellent.

 

[kshapero]

Dino, I knew you would like this rig.

 

[mfogiel]

You haven't said anything about what lens you have used... Anyway, these are nice shots, but the church one looks heavily undrexposed, while these taken in the very bright light would have benefitted from an opposite type of treatment: downgrading the film to ISO 200 , and developing with a pull... and BTW Tri X would have been much easier to deal with in such a contrast range... Here is an example of a harsh lighting - Tri X @250 in Prescysol EF

 

[capitalK]

Great character on the face of the guy in photo #2... I could shoot him all day.

 

[italy74]

Hi guys

don't look that much at these shots, they are "trials": I used a 400 iso pushed to 1600 to have both better shooting times and also the possibility to use more closed diaphragms until I master dof by focusing manually. Once set to -2 EV the apposite dial, I didn't touch it any longer, this also explains why the church is so underexposed; still, what really matters there, the match between the lighted crucifix and the window as the only "light" sources is exactly what I meant to get

About the lens, it was Nikkor 50 F/1.4 AF-D, sorry

Really I pity I can't add the BW400CN shots....

 

[mfogiel]

I am sure the chromogenic held the highlights much better, however if you like to try more of it, go with XP2 exposed at 200... here is what you can get:

 

[italy74]

Thanks Marek, I will.

My primary goal here was learning how to deal with FM3a exposure metering (which is only center weighted so "forces" you to work in a certain manner) and manual focus; plus, since it was an "used" camera purchased by a private citizen I wanted to see if it was good or not overall

Last but not least I wanted to try also rolls about grain (I'm relatively new to rolls pushed so high) and the possibility to use THIS camera as a "snapshot" one, to keep always in my pouch and have set to 1600 (eventually) for being always ready to take a shot.

 

[mfogiel]

Then load it with Tri X, it is the best film for pushing Dino.

 

[italy74]

Yes, Marek, I had the opportunity to notice it, with the F6; still I was surprised how pleasantly "brilliant" and with a light sepia tone the latest lab gave me the BW400CN prints done with FM3a. Really nice to look. I'm waiting a bit a looking for a good offer on a Voigtlander Ultron 40mm F/2 to pair with the FM3a.