Some pics w/ ZI please comment
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notturtle
Well-known
A quick technical comment: the contrast seems rather high and the highlights blown. The detail is almost certainly there on the neg so a lower contrast print would help show a more natural range of tones. The top one suggests there may be a little shadow detail missing so a slight decrease in film speed rating might help along with somewhat reduced development.
I find my ZM lenses about a grade higher in contrast on the print compared to pre-asph Leica glass.
I find my ZM lenses about a grade higher in contrast on the print compared to pre-asph Leica glass.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Thanks, it is true that the ZM lenses (these photos were taken with a ZM 50mm/f1.5) are contrasty.
back alley
IMAGES
akiva, do you do any post processing on your own or just have scans made when you get your film processed?
gavinlg
Veteran
Very nice, processing looks great to me - not too contrasty at all.
mfogiel
Veteran
Technically they look pretty good, although the contrast is on the high side, especially in the second shot. The detail is very pleasant, you can see it in the third photo, which BTW I find framed a bit too tight. It looks like you took these at f8.0 or whereabouts, as the lens draws very precisely. I normally shoot it around f 2.8-4.0 so am used to less contrast and dof.
akiralx
Established
This is very interesting to me because I was worried about high contrast on scans made from my negs but these were also taken with the ZM 50 f/1.5 Sonnar and ZM 35 f/2.8 Biogon, so maybe it is the Zeiss glass.
Will try my other Leica lenses as well to see any difference! In fact, I've just realised that this, taken with the Leica 50mm Summilux-ASPH shows less contrast than those with the Sonnar.
kshapero
South Florida Man
I just have scans made when I get my film developed. BTW I shot these images with Ilford XP2 at 320 ISO. Also I shot for contrast to get some pop. Alex nice shot.
XP2 has LOTS of image in the highlights that's often lost in overly-contrasty scanning. Your lab probably bumped it up, as XP otherwise tends to look a bit flat (a good starting point for your own adjustment!)
I agree that a bit of generosity in exposure benefits the results, so I shoot mine with the meter set to 250, some go 320 or 200 and I think it comes down to what works best with your methods.
I agree that a bit of generosity in exposure benefits the results, so I shoot mine with the meter set to 250, some go 320 or 200 and I think it comes down to what works best with your methods.
back alley
IMAGES
when shooting xp2 i normally would set the iso at 200.
akiva, i recommend a copy of ps elements and some internet reading on post processing.
i keep it very simple and standardized for most of my pics.
akiva, i recommend a copy of ps elements and some internet reading on post processing.
i keep it very simple and standardized for most of my pics.
sojournerphoto
Veteran
When I've had colour C41 processed I've found that scans from most labs (well all I've tried) are far too contrasty and tend to burn ut highlights and crush shadows into blackness. This is also how the machine prints look. When I scan the same negs myself they are much better.
Mike
Mike
kxl
Social Documentary
I'm a big fan of ZM glass. I have a 25/2.8, 35/2.0, a 50 Sonnar and a 50 Planar. This one was taken with the 35/2.0 (mounted on a ZI) undr high contrast lighting. I used Arista Premium 100 (Plus-X) developed in Microdol (a classic combo).
kram
Well-known
I find the contrast from ZM lens just right. I think the problem is XP2 at ISO320. Shoot at ISO400 if you want slightly less contrast.
monopix
Cam repairer
Uh? XP2 is less contrasty the lower you rate it and more contrasty the higher you rate it. This is becase of the shape of the curve which is pretty much like one big shoulder with little straight section and short toe.
I rate it at 200 for general use, 100 in bright contrasty situations and 400 in flat low contrast lighting.
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