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[Barney]

@Kevin Allan

Suggested I use paper negative for my first forays into 5x4 photography. Thank goodness I took his advice. I would never have got film into the holders in the dark, It was difficult enough with a red light when combined with my fat sausage fingers. Cutting the paper down to size proved easier than I expected.

Darkroom





Five loaded film holders, 10 whole shots



As you can imagine I would take a photo of a fly on the wall at moment. How do I calculate exposure for 3el when my incident meter only goes down to 100 iso, also the light that hits the lens has a long way to go before it hits the film (paper).

 

[Kevin Allan]

How do I calculate exposure for 3el when my incident meter only goes down to 100 iso

Count the number of stops between ISO 100 and ISO 6

100 -> 50 ->25 ->12->6->3

ISO 6 is 5 stops lower than ISO 100, so you would need to either use an aperture five stops larger than the one you set the meter at, or increase the exposure time by 5 stops.

If you're stuck, try using a phone app light meter - I have three on my phone (all free) and they all go down to ISO 3 or less.

 

[Barney]

Count the number of stops between ISO 100 and ISO 6

100 -> 50 ->25 ->12->6->3

ISO 6 is 5 stops lower than ISO 100, so you would need to either use an aperture five stops larger than the one you set the meter at, or increase the exposure time by 5 stops.

If you're stuck, try using a phone app light meter - I have three on my phone (all free) and they all go down to ISO 3 or less.

Do we have reciprocity issues with paper?

 

[Kevin Allan]

also the light that hits the lens has a long way to go before it hits the film (paper).

I think you are referring to bellows extension factor; if your bellows length (once focussed on the subject) is greater than the focal length of the lens, then an increase in exposure is required.

There is a formula to work this out, which you can search for, or again use a phone app. I currently use an Android phone and the app is called "Film Photography viewfinder" and includes other useful features. If you are on iphone, search the app store for "bellows"

 

[Kevin Allan]

Do we have reciprocity issues with paper?

For practical purposes, no.

 

[Barney]

Your darkroom is enormous - my little dark tent would fit in ten times over. You appear to have four enlargers ?

And few 1m trays,

That actually fit into the sinks !

I am so lucky to find this facility !

I say "my darkroom" but its a community one available to members. But I think there is only one member, so its mine. I baggsisied it.

 

[Barney]

I think you are referring to bellows extension factor; if your bellows length (once focussed on the subject) is greater than the focal length of the lens, then an increase in exposure is required.

There is a formula to work this out, which you can search for, or again use a phone app. I currently use an Android phone and the app is called "Film Photography viewfinder" and includes other useful features. If you are on iphone, search the app store for "bellows"

That app is fantastic Kevin, Nice one,

It does almost everything !