My name ain't Fred (And, that reminds me of a long running joke). For years I worked in the same building as another guy. Every morning, he would greet me, "Hi Fred". I'd reply, "Hi Mac". "My name's not Max", he'd come back. "That's OK, my name's not Fred", was my punch line. We did that for several years before we bothered to actually learn each others real name. Anyhow, As I said my name's not Fred, but I can answer your question.
C-41 film is strange about that. If all you carried was 400 speed, you would have no problem because you would get a good printable negative from 100 to 400. Advertised film speed for C-41 films are about the maximum useable speed. You can almost always get away with a 2 stop over exposure. In fact many of us think a one stop over exposure is not an over exposure at all, but the correct film speed for general use. Further, if you are not trying to be artistic you can get a useable exposures in bright sun at 400, and of course it is usable in normal low lighting. Now, back on subject, 35mm C-41: I usually keep up to about 8 rolls (24x) of 100 in my bag, and 4 rolls (24x) of 400 speed, and just lately have added a couple rolls of 1600 (36x). By those ratios it is obvious, I think, that I tend to use the lowest speed film that will work. I don't usually use more than 2-4 rolls at a time, but like to have some available at all times, and it is cheaper in 4 packs. I do not normally keep film in my cameras. When I finish a shoot, I pull all the film and have it processed, thus next shoot I load whatever film I want to use. Since the cheap labs I have to use these days don't charge for unprintable negs that doesn't cost much extra. With the Graphic I have been using only 125 speed B&W film (FP4+, or PX). I usually put 3 double holders (I have a dozen) in one coat pocket and 1/2 dozen #5 flashbulbs in the other. So far the #5 flash bulbs have given enough light for everything I have shot. If I really need more light I would have to find some #11 or larger flashbulbs. Cavers and such use some really serious flashbulbs. Unfortunately, I can not afford to get 4x5 sheet film processed right now, but in a couple of months I hope to have somewhere to do it myself. Kodak seems to be telling me I am going to have to change to Tri-X, and buy more film than I want at a time. <not so happy grin>. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto ---------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: Shel Belinkoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 9:18 AM Subject: Re: How Much Film Do You Carry > Hi Fred ... > > I'm at a loss to understand how you can standardize on essentially one > emulsion and speed. How do you deal with a wide range of light? If it's > very bright or if you're shooting at dusk, can one film speed/emulsion > handle the different brightness ranges and contrasts? Doesn't using 400 > speed film limit your DOF options in bright light? - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
