Greyish results from my Black/White film ?

tuintu · 08-20-2009, 10:59 AM

i've developed Kodak BW400CN film last week (in a local photograph studio)
when i go and receive them, i saw that they're not black-white. they look like greyish, or infrared-like.

is that the developing process problem? or what ?

how can i get better results ?

thanks.
Mesut

Blue · 08-20-2009, 11:15 AM

can yo scan some images, preferably the negatives? It could be a couple of things including metering/exposure issues. Also, what camera and lens etc may help.

Edit:

This was taken on Kodak BW400CN with an early SV.

tuintu · 08-20-2009, 11:29 AM

Thanks Blue.

i didn't scan any of them, but as soon as possible i'll scan and post here, then you'll see what i exactly mean.

also, it's not a metering/exposure issue. i'm sure about that.

i use my K1000 and 50mm f/2 lens and some other lenses.

(i've and idea: i'll find similar images from film camera examples on the web, then put here to show you.

tuintu · 08-20-2009, 11:52 AM

these are sample shots similar to my pictures.

Attached Images

k100d · 08-20-2009, 12:25 PM

try convert your images to Black and White?

tuintu · 08-20-2009, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by k100d

try convert your images to Black and White?

no.

trying to receive real black/white result from my Kodak BW400CN film shots.

Gooshin · 08-20-2009, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by tuintu

no.

trying to receive real black/white result from my Kodak BW400CN film shots.

who scanned your film?

k100d · 08-20-2009, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Gooshin

who scanned your film?

serge's answer to any scanning problem is scan it yourself

Gooshin · 08-20-2009, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by k100d

serge's answer to any scanning problem is scan it yourself

am i that transpearant? LOL

lbenac · 08-20-2009, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by tuintu

no.

trying to receive real black/white result from my Kodak BW400CN film shots.

From various readings regarding C41 "B&W" film, one of the issue seems to be that depending on the freshness and cleanliness of the chemicals in the machine, it might develop with a color cast.
You can then try to correct the cast either during scanning as I think Gooshin was hinting at or post scanning. I think that what K100D suggested is to scan your negative with RGB output and then try to convert the scan to B&W using your favorite editor LR, CS or other.

Cheers,

Luc

Nesster · 08-20-2009, 02:02 PM

Color scans of BW400CN often come out greenish. Solution is simple: just desaturate the image. Or if you're being purist, you can scan them yourself in B&W. I prefer the desaturation method myself.

tuintu · 08-20-2009, 02:18 PM

thank you all for your responses.

first, i didn't develop and scan

i'm an amateur, when i run out of film, i give it to a local photo studio in my town (1-hour print)

@ Ibenac @Nesster
thank you, but i always receive my photos printed on the photo papers (i don't like digitalize them)

but i'll consider and try your offers.

thanks again

Nesster · 08-20-2009, 02:24 PM

Unless the photo lab does something to put itself into b&w print mode, you'll get similar greenish (or brownish) casts in the prints. Some minilabs are better about this than others. The problem is a wack-out of the auto color balance, with B&W neg's going into a color medium (scan, then print).

You do realize that these days nearly every print is first digitized? Old school printing is very expensive.

tuintu · 08-20-2009, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

You do realize that these days nearly every print is first digitized?

Yes. i know. first digitalized then print on paper or write on CD if you want.

altough old school printing is a bit more expensive, i prefer paper printing, because it has a different ambiance. and i have a box, keeping my photos in it. maybe 20 years after, i'll show them to my children

HGMonaro · 08-20-2009, 09:27 PM

so... you're getting C41 film processed and printed at your local 1hr lab. This is not old school processing and printing... it's a relatively modern way of obtaining a "B&W" image. The problem you are seeing is the printing. The images are being printed on colour paper, which if set up correctly can produce black, white and shades of grey however they rarely do. Colour casts of green or purple are normal. How to fix? Ask the lab if they can do a better job. Whoever supplies their machine should be able to tell them how to set it up for "B&W" printing. If that doesn't work, find another lab? Still no luck... print them yourself using true 'old style' processing and printing.

08-20-2009, 10:59 AM	#1
tuintu New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Turkey Posts: 24	Greyish results from my Black/White film ? i've developed Kodak BW400CN film last week (in a local photograph studio) when i go and receive them, i saw that they're not black-white. they look like greyish, or infrared-like. is that the developing process problem? or what ? how can i get better results ? thanks. Mesut

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08-20-2009, 11:15 AM	#2
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	can yo scan some images, preferably the negatives? It could be a couple of things including metering/exposure issues. Also, what camera and lens etc may help. Edit: This was taken on Kodak BW400CN with an early SV.

08-20-2009, 11:29 AM	#3
tuintu New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Turkey Posts: 24 Original Poster	Thanks Blue. i didn't scan any of them, but as soon as possible i'll scan and post here, then you'll see what i exactly mean. also, it's not a metering/exposure issue. i'm sure about that. i use my K1000 and 50mm f/2 lens and some other lenses. (i've and idea: i'll find similar images from film camera examples on the web, then put here to show you.

08-20-2009, 11:52 AM	#4
tuintu New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Turkey Posts: 24 Original Poster	these are sample shots similar to my pictures. Attached Images

08-20-2009, 12:25 PM	#5
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	try convert your images to Black and White?

08-20-2009, 12:28 PM	#6
tuintu New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Turkey Posts: 24 Original Poster	Originally posted by k100d try convert your images to Black and White? no. trying to receive real black/white result from my Kodak BW400CN film shots.

08-20-2009, 12:30 PM	#7
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by tuintu no. trying to receive real black/white result from my Kodak BW400CN film shots. who scanned your film?

08-20-2009, 01:24 PM	#8
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by Gooshin who scanned your film? serge's answer to any scanning problem is scan it yourself

08-20-2009, 01:39 PM	#9
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by k100d serge's answer to any scanning problem is scan it yourself am i that transpearant? LOL

08-20-2009, 01:44 PM	#10
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313	Originally posted by tuintu no. trying to receive real black/white result from my Kodak BW400CN film shots. From various readings regarding C41 "B&W" film, one of the issue seems to be that depending on the freshness and cleanliness of the chemicals in the machine, it might develop with a color cast. You can then try to correct the cast either during scanning as I think Gooshin was hinting at or post scanning. I think that what K100D suggested is to scan your negative with RGB output and then try to convert the scan to B&W using your favorite editor LR, CS or other. Cheers, Luc

08-20-2009, 02:02 PM	#11
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Color scans of BW400CN often come out greenish. Solution is simple: just desaturate the image. Or if you're being purist, you can scan them yourself in B&W. I prefer the desaturation method myself.

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08-20-2009, 02:18 PM	#12
tuintu New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Turkey Posts: 24 Original Poster	thank you all for your responses. first, i didn't develop and scan i'm an amateur, when i run out of film, i give it to a local photo studio in my town (1-hour print) @ Ibenac @Nesster thank you, but i always receive my photos printed on the photo papers (i don't like digitalize them) but i'll consider and try your offers. thanks again

08-20-2009, 02:24 PM	#13
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Unless the photo lab does something to put itself into b&w print mode, you'll get similar greenish (or brownish) casts in the prints. Some minilabs are better about this than others. The problem is a wack-out of the auto color balance, with B&W neg's going into a color medium (scan, then print). You do realize that these days nearly every print is first digitized? Old school printing is very expensive.

08-20-2009, 03:20 PM	#14
tuintu New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Turkey Posts: 24 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster You do realize that these days nearly every print is first digitized? Yes. i know. first digitalized then print on paper or write on CD if you want. altough old school printing is a bit more expensive, i prefer paper printing, because it has a different ambiance. and i have a box, keeping my photos in it. maybe 20 years after, i'll show them to my children

08-20-2009, 09:27 PM	#15
HGMonaro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melb. Aust Posts: 840	so... you're getting C41 film processed and printed at your local 1hr lab. This is not old school processing and printing... it's a relatively modern way of obtaining a "B&W" image. The problem you are seeing is the printing. The images are being printed on colour paper, which if set up correctly can produce black, white and shades of grey however they rarely do. Colour casts of green or purple are normal. How to fix? Ask the lab if they can do a better job. Whoever supplies their machine should be able to tell them how to set it up for "B&W" printing. If that doesn't work, find another lab? Still no luck... print them yourself using true 'old style' processing and printing.