> 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.
All the above is true (or, if not, I've believed it anyway for years now, "hook, line, and sinker" - <g>). Back in the early eighties I remember reading about the exposure latitude in typical color print films, and even the suggestion that one should set the ASA on a camera to one full stop lower than rated speed. Although I have done that back then, I am also always trying to get as fast a shutter speed as I can, so I compromise a bit - I almost always set the ASA dial (for 400 color print film) at 1/3 or 2/3 stops lower than 400 (what is it, then, 320 or 260 or something?). Works for me - I think it gives me a good chance of avoiding underexposure if the metering (or my judgement) is off a bit. (Actually, when I use 'em, I do this routinely with other color print films, too - 1/3 or 2/3 stops lower than rated.) Fred - 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 .
