Best time for ISO 250/400 B+W films

[srtiwari]

Here in Florida, particularly in the summer, it is blindingly bright much of the day, and later in the evening, seems to need 1000+ ISO speeds for comfortable shooting. I find myself not feeling like there's any good time to use the XX5222 (ISO 250+), or Tri-X, Neopan 400 etc.
Much of the time, I'm either stuck with F16 and 22s, or (at the other end) 1/30th of a sec. or slower. Can't seem to find much opportunity for the wide aperture, fast shutter speed scenarios with those films.
Maybe I'm "stuck" in some self imposed limited ways of looking/shooting, but wondered if this issue sounds familiar to anyone. 🙁

 

[FPjohn]

Neutral density filter ,0.6, 1.

Good light!

yours
FPJ

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

You're right.

One body with ISO400 for direct sun: I shoot a f/8.5 with yellow filter at 1/250. A 3 stop ND for f/1.4... Another body with 3200 for lower light shooting.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Bob Michaels]

Here in Florida, particularly in the summer, it is blindingly bright much of the day, and later in the evening, seems to need 1000+ ISO speeds for comfortable shooting. I find myself not feeling like there's any good time to use the XX5222 (ISO 250+), or Tri-X, Neopan 400 etc.
Much of the time, I'm either stuck with F16 and 22s, or (at the other end) 1/30th of a sec. or slower. Can't seem to find much opportunity for the wide aperture, fast shutter speed scenarios with those films.
Maybe I'm "stuck" in some self imposed limited ways of looking/shooting, but wondered if this issue sounds familiar to anyone. 🙁

Don't know. I live in metro Orlando (about 100 miles from the OP for non-Floridians) and I sheet Neopan 400 exclusively. This morning I was shooting f5.6 @ 1/2000th. That works for me.

 

[Neare]

Never been to Florida but with 400iso's which is most of my b&w, I'd only be getting up to f16 and 22 if I was shooting into the sun directly.

But location does effect things, maybe time to consider getting 2 bodies?

 

[srtiwari]

I have avoided filters so far- they will buy me 1-2 stops (more if I also add ND filters). The M bodies don't go past 1/1000 sec, which I rarely use as I don't always trust its accuracy. I'm going to try some of these and try shooting closer to "wide open".

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Yeah, stack some ND filters on your lens. I do it all the time. Yes, it's a little more work, but that aperture ring needs to wide open sometimes!