> On Jan 1, 2023, at 8:24 AM, Bob W PDML <[email protected]> wrote: >> On 20 Dec 2022, at 22:55, Godfrey DiGiorgi <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> […] >> My 1978 Leica M4-2 is loaded and ready to go with a fresh roll of Ferrania >> P30 in it. :) > > I’ll be interested to hear about your experience with the film. > > I bought 5 rolls of P30 back in August but didn’t shoot them until a few > weeks ago. I’ve just received the scans back from the lab this morning, the > same place I bought the film, who have been promoting it over here. The > results I’ve had are excessively contrasty, so you have to be very careful to > choose a subject that matches the film. I’ll post some later so you can see > what I mean. > > From what I’ve read online you also have to experiment to find the best > combination of chemicals, times and agitation to get the results you want. > I’m not about to start processing my own film, so I’d have to find a lab that > can do it to my taste. I don’t know what this lab did in terms of chemistry, > times etc. But given that, I think it’s unlikely that I’d shoot P30 again. > > Since I started shooting film again I’ve been using Ilford, trying different > films at different labs to see what I like best. My conclusions are that I > like the Delta t-grain films, and the best processing and scanning is from > Harman Labs (who own Ilford). They are also the best in terms of turnaround > and reliability of delivery etc. That’s the UK lab; they also have a lab in > the US but I haven’t used it. Both use Refrema dip & dunk processors with, of > course, Ilford chemistry which is well matched to the film.
Hi Bob! I always do my own processing with B&W film. For years I've used a very simple, standard process with most B&W films … I use Kodak HC-110 concentrate diluted 1:49 for working, and process in an Agfa Rondix 35 tank (daylight loading, continuous agitation) for 8 minutes at "room temperature" … in my place, that's usually between 72°F and 75°F. This works well for the vast majority of standard 35 films (Plus-X, Pan-X, Tri-X, TMax 100/400, Ilford HP4, HP5, Delta 100, etc) with minor changes to EI based on experience with prior rolls. Ferrania FP30 processed this way proved unusably contrasty, but in flat scenes where the contrast was naturally tamed by the subject and ambient lighting it returned beautiful tonalities and gradations, better than most other films I've played with. So… I decided to tailor my process given what I was seeing with a set of test exposures and grayscale chart. I experimented with exposing P30 using ISO 50 base (and down to ISO 30) , development with HC-110 at 1:99 dilution, same tank, same temperatures, and double the development time (16 min). I got lucky: That did it perfectly! With that bit of jiggery-pokery, P30 produces a superb tonal scale, very very fine grain, and lovely mid-tone expression. I posted a few things on this at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAePJM … Can't wait to get out shooting again with the M4-2! :) Happy New Year! G — Godfrey DiGiorgi - [email protected] "Aspera ad astra: If you cannot dream of the stars, how will you get to the grocery store?" -- %(real_name)s Pentax-Discuss Mail List To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
