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  #11  
Old 16th February 2017, 04:37 PM
Alan Clark Alan Clark is offline
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Dave, let's deal with the practical problem - which you raise - of what to do in changing light. Ilford recommend 8 minutes in DDx for Pan F. If you find that , for Pan F taken in dullish, flat light, 8 minutes gives you negatives that print on, say, grade 2.5, then, perfect! But for Pan F exposed in bright contrasty light, 8 minutes will probably result in negatives that are rather contrasty and need a much softer grade number to print. And be more difficult to print. These negatives really need less development; perhaps 20% less. What to do if you have both these lighting conditions on one roll of film?
One answer to this problem is to have two camera bodies, both loaded with Pan F, one marked "Sunny" and one marked "Dull". Then each film can be given its proper amount of development. This could be a good solution if you are set on using Pan F which, being a slow film, is a bit "fussy".
My solution is to use a different film. HP5. This is inherently low in contrast, less demanding, and contrast is easier to control with it. I rate it at 200, and develop it in ID11 diluted 1+2, and develop for 14 minutes - come what may! Frames taken in flat light may need a grade 3.5 or even 4 to yield a good print. Frames taken in bright contrasty light may need a grade 1.5. Frames taken in hazy sun may print on grade 2.5. I don't have to perform a rescue job with the extremes. And I don't really get problem negatives. And I don't have to carry two camera bodies. But I don't think this " split the difference" approach would would work with more fussy slower films like Pan F or Delta 100, which need more pampering. Because I actually prefer the tonality and "look" of HP5. I can use this simpler, one camera, approach.

On the subject of personal film speed, I wouldn't go to the trouble yet, while you are trying different films and developers. Bracketing is good. A standardised method of taking exposure readings is a must. Scrutinise your negatives. Look for detail in your shadows. If it isn't there, and it was in the subject (and you wanted it) then you have underexposed. You will soon be rating the film generously enough, by trial and error.
Try to read newsprint through your densest highlights. If you can't, then you may have overdeveloped. So cut back a bit next time you have the same lighting..
You will soon get a feel for it.

Alan
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  #12  
Old 17th February 2017, 08:17 AM
DaveRob DaveRob is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike O'Pray View Post

On a more minor note the PanF looks as if it has a slight pinkish tinge. Nothing to worry about but if the tinge is there and isn't an artifact of a scanner then you might want to give the film a longer wash. It looks like the remains of the anti-halation dye.
Mike
To clear up the 'pinkish tinge' issue.... I reassessed the negs and couldn't find the tinge at all.... then noticed that their was a reflection of me taking the photo, and the penny dropped.... the pinkish tinge is actually a reflection of the wall behind me.. that is painted red.

Final conclusions are that the delta is slightly over developed and the panF is slightly under developed.... notes duly made on my dev records for next time with these combinations.

For my next foray Ive loaded a roll of FP4 with a spare roll of FP4 ready... this time I'm going to try rodinal. on the first roll and compare it to DDX on the second roll...... sometime soon Ill settle on my favourite combination of film and dev process, Im sure it will be a long journey :-)

Hopefully this weekend Ill print up some of the ~Delta and PanF images and report back.

Thanks to all who have moved me onward in a short space of time.

DaveR
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  #13  
Old 20th February 2017, 06:52 PM
DaveRob DaveRob is offline
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As promised my first print from the above films developed...... Ill print a few more when Ive organised my blackout of the bathroom window lol

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  #14  
Old 20th February 2017, 09:40 PM
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MartyNL MartyNL is offline
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Originally Posted by DaveRob View Post
As promised my first print from the above films developed...... Ill print a few more when Ive organised my blackout of the bathroom window lol

Attachment 2685
That looks a great print Dave.
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  #15  
Old 20th February 2017, 11:18 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
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That is truly terrible, Dave - that tree needs feeding with a lot of bonemeal. It's skin and bone .

As for the print that looks really good. Not a lot wrong with the neg or the printing ( another British understatement)

Mike
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  #16  
Old 21st February 2017, 04:51 AM
RichardWarom RichardWarom is offline
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Well done Dave the print does look very good.
Richard
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  #17  
Old 21st February 2017, 04:41 PM
DaveRob DaveRob is offline
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Thanks to all that helped and replied..... I was pleased with the first print as it is in fact my first ever.... Im sure once I get into the darker arts of this ill work out the techniques that turn a decent print into a vista for my eyes... until then Ill have more Qs as I go along.... again thanks to all.

DaveR
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  #18  
Old 21st February 2017, 05:14 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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Looks like a nice print to my eyes, not a lot wrong wtih that, but be careful, the dark side can become addictive, I went into my darkroom today for just an hour or so to make just a couple of prints, still in there 41/2 hours and 8 prints later
Richard
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