BetterSense
4-Jan-2010, 22:15
Since going handheld 4x5, with available light, I've come to realize just how slow these large cameras are. Unfortunately, the slowest format has the fewest high-speed films available, which is almost paradoxical. You can get Neopan 1600 in 35mm which is grainy anyway, but not in the finer-grained medium format or large format. Delta 3200 is unavailable as well, probably because that would just be too awesome.
This leaves pushing a 400 speed film. Which 400 speed film is best for the job? My usual candidate for pushing, Tri-X 400 isn't available in sheets. I don't know how TXP pushes. I never had any luck pushing TMY in smaller formats, the best I have come is underexposing it and processing normall--but maybe others have different experiences. Right now I'm using HP5+ and processing according to the directions. I get pretty good results out to 1600, but I'm interested in other formulas for pushing sheet film as fast as possible.
Also, what's the slowest handheld shutter speed you can hold, with a 135mm lens? I've been able to hold 1/60th but haven't tested this to large enlargements.
This leaves pushing a 400 speed film. Which 400 speed film is best for the job? My usual candidate for pushing, Tri-X 400 isn't available in sheets. I don't know how TXP pushes. I never had any luck pushing TMY in smaller formats, the best I have come is underexposing it and processing normall--but maybe others have different experiences. Right now I'm using HP5+ and processing according to the directions. I get pretty good results out to 1600, but I'm interested in other formulas for pushing sheet film as fast as possible.
Also, what's the slowest handheld shutter speed you can hold, with a 135mm lens? I've been able to hold 1/60th but haven't tested this to large enlargements.