[dugrant153]

While I love shooting my MF (645) stuff, I'm finding myself going back to 35mm (especially rangefinders) for my documentary/photojournalist shots.

I've been shooting a Konica Auto S2, which goes to F1.8. Been loving it so far.

The problem is that I don't like the look of Delta 3200 for 35mm. I expose it at 1600ISO and have the lab develop normally. 120 film - great! Love the detail, even on Delta 3200. 35mm film - not so great (in my eyes anyway).

It could be that I'm using an Epson 4490 flatbed to scan my stuff, but I find the details in Delta 3200 on 35mm are extremely noisy and a bit duller than compared to the absolute crazy details coming from shooting Delta 3200 on my 645 stuff. I realize the format has a lot to do with this, and probably the scanner too.

I've considered shooting all medium format, but two things came into mind: extreme weight of medium format cameras as well as how loud they can be (I try to be inconspicuous), the changing of 120 film every 15 shots (especially for pj style stuff - I take a few shots sometimes), and the developing cost associated with shooting 120 film. Note that 220 film here in Canada is hard for me to get, and if I can get it, it's extremely expensive.


My question is: Does anyone have any examples of shooting Tri-X at ISO 800 (and developing +1 stop push) on 35mm?

I'm thinking I could use a F1.4 lens and shoot at ISO800 maximum in order to keep grain and details in check when I hit lowlight. I calculate that I could shoot ISO800 at F1.4 on 35mm in places where I'd need to shoot ISO3200 at F2.8 (my fastest Med Format lens) on medium format. My hope is that the 35mm would still look pretty detailed.

Thoughts? And examples if any?

[Nesster]

Note that your Konica tops out at ASA 400 - however with the modern 1.5v battery, 400 is actually 1600, and the marked 200 on camera is 400. That's a benefit! Note also that you might be able to shoot 'darker' with a RF than with a SLR.



I don't have a sample of Tri-X but I do have Neopan 400 @800



You can also look at flickr samples here:
tri-x 800 - Flickr: Search

[eddie1960]

another thing i'll point out is when you send to a alb you are at the mercy of their developer choice. you can change the look of delta by changing developer. most labs use d76 or a variant thereof, not the most delta friendly developer for any of the delta films.
220 is hard to get anywhere not just Toronto (where I am as well)

I get my film mostly from the US, Canadian prices are out to lunch still sitting where they were when the dollar was worth 80 cents US for the most part. For b/w films look at freestyle photo and colour usually BH photo is the cheapest. have it shipped usps and you won't get walloped by obscene courier brokerage fees

[Macario]

You also could try Fuji Neopan 1600, it has a pretty fine grain for the speed

[eddie1960]

neopan 1600 is discontinued unfortunately but neopan 400 pushes to 1600 with close to the same results

[vparseval]

I don't think I've ever shot Tri-X at 800, but I've done so with Delta 400 and it wasn't so bad:


See the original on flickr.

I don't think it has a look that would make it totally unsuitable for photojournalism.

Cheers,
Tassilo

[Wheatfield]

Just remember that push processing doesn't actually increase film speed and guide yourself accordingly.
I'd go for the faster film.

[lithos]

There's nothing wrong with Tri-X at 3200:



I love it.

[stevebrot]

Just remember that push processing doesn't actually increase film speed and guide yourself accordingly.

So true!!! All push processing does is amplify the weak sensitivation that is present on an underexposed negative.


Steve

[lithos]

But it still can look awesome.

[eddie1960]

But it still can look awesome.

With the caveat of much more limited DR than would be available on the higher iso film (neopan 1600 was truly awesome, too bad it's gone)

[Nesster]

*sigh* if we want the LOOK, we want the LOOK regardless of all the drawbacks

My daughter's going to a Parsons summer college level photo course - the prof wanted them to show up with 20 rolls of Tri-X. We got 30. I will steal 2 before she goes, and enjoy it at any damn speed

[Wheatfield]

There's nothing wrong with Tri-X at 3200:

Unless you want shadow detail....