Film n00b question here... hope you can help me with this.
^ was this film processed and scanned properly?
Dynamic range seems to be lacking... lots of crushed blacks and blown highlights in pretty much every shot. Not something I expected. This pic was actually one of the better ones, as far as perceived dynamic range is concerned. Yes, it was sunny.
The size is fine. The contrast is high, but there's so much that plays into the contrast aside from scanning like what developer was used. Other's which are more knowledgeable than I can speak more to that.
Did you scan the image yourself? What software did you use? Does the software give the ability to adjust the levels in the histogram? Also, did you develop the film yourself? Generally temperature, length of development, and amount of agitation are factors affect the amount of contrast in the film. Higher temperatures, longer development and increased agitation will yield more contrast.
Here is a helpful chart that should give you an idea of how long to develop your particular film with a given developer:
No, I didn't develop or scan the film myself. The folks at my local camera store scanned it - it's not like they gave me any choice - but they didn't develop it themselves. They can only develop basic 35mm color film. Even Velvia is a problem.
So yeah... I'm starting to think that the scan process was the (only) problem here.
I'm in the Netherlands, but I guess my best bet is to use NorthCoastPhoto.com from now on? TWoK's and Ken Rockwell's scans look pretty impressive, IMO.
Minilab scans are not always a bad thing. It depends on the operator. Try to find a good lab in you neighbourhood, I am sure you can find one that does a good job. I just compared some scans done in a minilab with scans that I did on a Minolta Scan Multi Pro of the same film and the minilab scans where not bad at all.
Morfeus wrote:
Minilab scans are not always a bad thing. It depends on the operator. Try to find a good lab in you neighbourhood, I am sure you can find one that does a good job. I just compared some scans done in a minilab with scans that I did on a Minolta Scan Multi Pro of the same film and the minilab scans where not bad at all.
Thanks, I'll do that. (and then perhaps compare them with the NCPS scans - they look pretty impressive for the money)
Brilliant work with the 400X @ 1600 shots and with the xpan Nate, you have a good eye for panoramic composition I'm going to start using NCPS on your recommendation, and out of necessity since no one in Australia processes 4x5 for any kind of reasonable price.
thrice wrote:
Very nice Zaitz! wonderful tone and detail
KatieInTexas wrote:
Empire - that autocord is brilliantly sharp.
Zaitz - WOW - that is a fantastic image!
A few from my "lowest end" setup - Bronica ETRS
Thank you! It was my third time back to the Cathedral in a few weeks. I like that it's not going anywhere so my ideas about it can evolve and I can always go back and shoot.
KatieInTexas: Composition in that third one is perfect. I really like framing like that where the foregound is evident but still slightly out of focus. Also moves the eye to the subject.
