Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-03-2010, 07:47 AM   #1
Forum Member
scimitar12's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Sterling, VA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 70
B&W film use

I am going to try using B&W film for the first time. Do I need to make any adjustments to my cameras as opposed to using color? I don't have any particular settings in mind other than I will be shooting outdoor shots.

01-03-2010, 08:01 AM   #2
Veteran Member
Nesster's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NJ USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 13,072
In short: no adjustments necessary for exposure. Chromogenic films such as BW400CN and XP2 behave like color print films, and 'real' b&w film has a very wide latitude when it comes to exposure.

But your composition thinking needs an adjustment - you don't have color contrast to separate out different objects in the frame - red and green may turn out very close on the grey scale. So you need to look for light/dark contrast instead.
01-03-2010, 08:59 AM   #3
P67
Junior Member




Join Date: May 2009
Location: S. Ontario
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 30
Try different films, don't be afraid to experiment with the f stop, and see how it goes. If you become hooked on B&W - you can read up on the use of filters. Filters, and their proper use, makes all the difference with most B&W photography.
01-03-2010, 11:08 AM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
gofour3's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,085
Ditto for filters with B&W film, they make a big difference. I find UV, Yellow, Orange, Red and a Polarizer the most useful. Try some test shots of the same scene using different filters and compare the results.

Phil

01-03-2010, 02:35 PM   #5
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by Nesster Quote
But your composition thinking needs an adjustment - you don't have color contrast to separate out different objects in the frame - red and green may turn out very close on the grey scale. So you need to look for light/dark contrast instead.
+1 to rethinking!

+1 too regarding use of filters!

Bright green moss on gray rocks --> gray mess

Bright green moss + gray rocks + yellow filter --> light moss on gray rock

Bright green moss + gray rocks + red filter --> dark moss on gray rock



Steve
01-03-2010, 09:01 PM   #6
Inactive Account




Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS
Posts: 3,261
QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Bright green moss + gray rocks + yellow filter --> light moss on gray rock
How Photography Has Changed Me #182: I will walk through a lush tropical rainforest and think, "Man, this place is yellow..."
01-04-2010, 12:28 AM   #7
Veteran Member
keyser's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Posts: 376
As Steve says, colours can appear very similar in gray. Using a filter may help you see the tonal contrast better. Things like wood always come out will in B&W.

01-04-2010, 08:21 AM   #8
Veteran Member




Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 497
What do polarizers do for B&W photos? More contrast?
01-04-2010, 08:36 AM   #9
Pentaxian




Join Date: May 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 836
Polarizers give you almost crazy contrast.

For an awesome effect on a drab downtown shot, use a red or an orange filter. The sky will be almost black.

The real fun comes when you develop your own negatives. Then you can do a lot to control contrast and gradation. You'll learn about pushing and pulling film, contrast filters in printing, and dodging and burning.

To me, a real photographer is someone who exposes the film, develops the film, processes a final print, and displays it in matte and frame. Henri Cartier-Bresson would disagree with my view, however.
01-04-2010, 12:26 PM   #10
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
gofour3's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,085
QuoteOriginally posted by brkl Quote
What do polarizers do for B&W photos? More contrast?
The same as for colour film. (Polarizers were originally invented for B&W film.)

Use a polarizer and red filter for some 1930's horror movie effects!

Phil.

01-04-2010, 12:30 PM   #11
Veteran Member




Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 497
What, more saturated colours? I doubt it

I'm going to have to try this!
01-04-2010, 12:34 PM   #12
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
gofour3's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,085
QuoteOriginally posted by brkl Quote
What, more saturated colours? I doubt it

I'm going to have to try this!
Unfortunately the red filter removed the Maple Leaf and edges in the Canadian flag! It does wonders for the sky though!

Phil.
01-04-2010, 05:36 PM   #13
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by gofour3 Quote
Unfortunately the red filter removed the Maple Leaf and edges in the Canadian flag! It does wonders for the sky though!

Phil.
Does that mean that you guys are going to finally surrender?

Steve
01-04-2010, 05:44 PM   #14
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
gofour3's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,085
QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Does that mean that you guys are going to finally surrender?

Steve
Haha. Maybe, but never in hockey!

Phil.
01-04-2010, 11:20 PM   #15
Veteran Member
keyser's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Posts: 376
QuoteOriginally posted by gofour3 Quote
Haha. Maybe, but never in hockey!

Phil.
Hey, they have Ryan Kesler...
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
film
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Yashica T4 Super - 135 film point & shoot camera dave9t5 Sold Items 4 07-20-2009 05:32 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Film LX & MX & Glass DaddyLuna Sold Items 5 06-03-2009 02:09 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax MZ-S Film Body & FA* star 24mm Light_Horseman Sold Items 8 04-08-2009 07:11 PM
For Sale - Sold: Multiple Auto (Digital & Film) and Manual Lenses, flash + more jjdgti Sold Items 18 10-03-2008 09:30 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:41 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top