BW 400 CN Film and Pushing

[napoleonesq]

I am going to a friend's wedding tonight, and I thought about shooting for the first time with C-41 B&W Film, since I have been lazy about developing my own BW Film.

Lighting may be low so I wanted to know if I have to, can I push process this film?

I am taking an M7 and Nokton 35mm 1.4, and either Nocti or the new 28mm f2.8 Asph Elmarit lenses, or maybe I should just take my M8.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

A C41 film has a lot of exposure latitude.

It's designed that way.

The C41 machines use a standard process so you cannot actually *push process.

There's no need.


*Some top end pro labs with top end prices may be willing and able.

 

[funkaoshi]

I find C41 has a lot of latitude when it comes to overexposure, not so much for underexposure. You can sometimes get away by underexposing a stop, but generally things turn out muddy pretty quick. At least, in my experience.

Also, you can actually get C41 pushed, but most labs won't/don't do it.

 

[mfogiel]

If you expose your film at ISO 800 or higher, you will get the grain size of golf balls. Use the M8.

 

[mh2000]

you can maybe get away with 600, but only 800 if you are exposing very carefully for the shadows...

 

[Micky D]

If you expose your film at ISO 800 or higher, you will get the grain size of golf balls. Use the M8.

you can maybe get away with 600, but only 800 if you are exposing very carefully for the shadows...

With respect, I can't believe this!

One stop underexposure on C-41 is neither here nor there.
That's why they load it in single-use, non adjustable exposure cameras.
You've got 7 stops latitude, 4 over and 3 under.

 

[Doug]

My experience matches that of Funkaoshi. The published ISO is optimistic, already on the edge of underexposure. Any further underexposure, even one stop, given normal metering (even incident metering) will usually result in muddy shadows tending greenish. I typically set my meter 2/3 stop below ISO (250 for a 400 speed film), and this gives me better results plus a bit more leeway for error.

I have had C41 films pushed by my local lab, but this only works ok with low contrast subjects. Otherwise, the contrast goes high, and C41's usual "bulletproof" highlights block up.

 

[Pablito]

This is a terrible film for low light. As folks have said above, it needs to be exposed generously and rating it at iso 400 is optimistic. If you rate it at 400, meter the shadows.