>>> Q: What's the fastest (box rated) film you've ever shot?
>>> What's the slowest?
The fastest I've ever shot is P3200 at its rated speed of 1000, and the
slowest is ASA 25--Kodachrome, plus some experiments I did with Agfapan and
Tech Pan years ago.
Keeping in mind that I'm a diehard black-and-white shooter, my position for
many years has been as follows:
Re fast films:
--Most films are overrated anyway.
--Most photographers are unreasonably attracted to the idea of "pushing,"
i.e., deliberate underexposure.
--More photographs are ruined by underexposure than anything else (and this
INCLUDES Zone System photographers, since Ansel's classic recommendations
result in too little exposure for most photographs).
--Some "box speeds" are advertising copy, not ISO ratings (this is a fact).
Re slow films:
Many factors contribute to poor quality in photographs. Using films that are
too slow "because they are of higher quality" doesn't take into account the
relevant trade-offs: the fact that increased camera shake, subject motion
blur, reliance on wider apertures, and increased dependence on restricting
tripods (and monopods <g>) ALSO have a deleterious effect on image quality.
With the advent of T-Max 100 and 100 Delta, there is no earthly reason for a
general 35mm B&W shooter to shoot a film slower than 100-speed except for
very specialized purposes. For many of us, an even faster film will result
in "better quality" pictures because it allows increased freedom to
handhold, smaller apertures, less camera shake, and higher shutter speeds.
Further:
I also think that photographers/equipment aficionados are generally overly
obsessed with limits, simply because the experience of butting up against
one limitation or another while shooting is unpleasant and is highlighted in
our memories. I.e., we can photograph for three years without ever using the
1/1000th setting, but let us get into a situation ONE time where we need a
higher shutter speed and it's not available on the camera, and suddenly we
"need" a camera with a higher shutter speed. Thus,
A film can never be grainless enough.
A film can never have high enough resolution.
A camera can never have a high enough shutter speed.
A lens can never be fast enough.
Etc., etc., etc., etc. ad nauseam.
The fact is, for general, all-around, everyday shooting, a good 100- to
400-speed film, an f/2 lens that performs adequately well wide open, and a
camera that has a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000th, etc., ARE ALL PERFECTLY
ADEQUATE for doing superb work in almost all conditions and circumstances.
And lest you think this isn't true, consider all the great photojournalists
and artists who have made great and significant art armed only with a Leica,
a Summicron, and Tri-X...or an MX, an SMC 50/1.4, and Plus-X. Or whatever.
Stepping gingerly off soapbox,
--Mike
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