Will this turn out to be a dissapointment?

[ZeissFan]

The blacking out of the viewfinder with an SLR contributes more to camera movement than mirror slap, especially when handholding a camera. Without being able to see through the viewfinder, it becomes very difficult to keep a camera steady.

Great shots with that 75mm at 1/8. Generally, that far exceeds the handholding rule. But good for you that you were able to do that.

 

[Peter Klein]

Well done, didotciciero!

My hat is off to you for pulling 1/8 second off with a 75mm lens! I've done a few 1/8 second shots, but usually with a 35 or 50. This one is with the 50/1.5 Nokton:
http://users.2alpha.com/~pklein/lhsa2002/30ted.htm

I took 9 shots at this talk. Seven were usable. Three were good. This one was the best overall, both content and stability.

When it's dark as this, Neopan 1600 shot at 1600 is your friend--IF you or your lab knows how to develop it. The normal times most labs use are more suited for 800 or 1000 ISO, and you end up with thin negs. Also, beware of overexposure in theatrical situation with spot lights. A spot meter is a good tool, although waving an incident meter in the bright spots before the show works, too.

--Peter

 

[didotcicero]

@ Peter: Great pic. I rested my arms on the stage during some of the shots and used the TTL-metering of the Bessa.

Don't own a spot meter yet. Stage wasn't accessable before the gig anyway.
Thanks for the info, I hope to put it to good use 🙂

And thank you all for the nice words! I could have never dreamed they would turnout this good, honest. I really thought I was in for a nightmere.

 

[ChrisN]

Thanks Chris. I'm not developing the film myself, thats why I use XP2 C41 so that I can drop it of at the 1 hour lab. Will they be able to push the processing? And do I need to alter the settings on the dial of the filmspeed when I intent to push the film?

I'm not sure about pushing C41 film - anyone out there with experience pushing XP2 and processing?

With normal B&W film, I would use Ilford HP5+ which is normally rated 400asa. If I really needed to, I'd expose it at 800 or 1600 by setting the light meter (or the camera if it has built-in metering) to that speed, then using the indicated exposure settings. You have to shoot the whole roll at the same speed. Then take it to a pro-lab and tell them what speed you exposed it at.

Developing your own is simple and inexpensive - I've shot 50 rolls in the last year and recouped the cost in the first 20. Have a go!

 

[didotcicero]

@ Chris: I ment pushing normal b/w film.

C41 B/W film is very convinient since I have the results relatively fast.
I return normal b/w film when I develop it myself. I've done it a few times at school, 20 years ago. But don't you need a completely lighttight room for that?

Btw: I pulled my camera out of my bag yesterday and the speed dial was set on 1/15 (haven't used it since last sunday) so I might have shot several photos on that speed in stead of 1/8. There's still half a roll of unexposed film in there so I need to make some more before I can have it developed.

 

[ChrisN]

@ Chris: I ment pushing normal b/w film.

C41 B/W film is very convinient since I have the results relatively fast.
I return normal b/w film when I develop it myself. I've done it a few times at school, 20 years ago. But don't you need a completely lighttight room for that?

A completely light-tight room would be useful, but I manage without that by using a changing bag to load the film onto the reel for developing. The changing bag is made of two layers of black nylon, with overlapping zippers for access to put the tank and film inside, and two elasticised sleeves to put my arms into. There's just enough room inside to perform the necessary operations. Once the film is onto the reel and into the tank, the lid makes it lightproof, and I can proceed in the open.

 

[didotcicero]

I see. I will think about it.

I just need to have the guts give it a try and willing to sacrifice a roll of film. Hmmm...

Edit: I just remembered that in school we used our coats to do just that because the darkroom wasn't lightproof enough.

Those were the days 😉

 

[ChrisN]

Do try it - if you can make coffee or boil an egg, you have all the necessary skills already!

Ilford have a good beginners guide at http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=31 . There is a link to a downloadable pdf document that describes the process in detail. And there are plenty of people here to answer questions!

 

[Trius]

Great results! Consumer labs don't do push processing. I once had someone tell me you "can't" push C41 film. That's simply not true, but you would need a pro or specialist lab to do it.