Steve, your methods are very sensible and that really is what I should have done right off. I have never tested any of my equipment other than just making an exposure and checking ou the print. I only realized about 6 months ago that I needed to add one stop to my meter readings to get the kind of image I like. I have had a rather haphazard attitude about my photography in the past and I should parhaps take this more seriously. Thanks for the advice (about testing my camera - not about being more professional). Greg Fraser -----Original Message----- From: Steve Shapiro [mailto:sgshiya@redshift.com] If I may say: First of all, it's just plain stupid to have an old camera, shutter or whatever, and not spend the extra couple pence to have the speed checked. Usually, with good conversation included, the camera shop will most likely perform this for free in hopes you will keep coming back. I offer prints and have friends all over the place. It's so frustrating to have a good meter, and faulty shutter. Second: Tests are so simple, and to expose cut film without pre testing is nuts. I have a simple set up with a gray card and a slate rock all in front of a white very textured back, which is a sculpture stand base with plaster of Paris hardened on it. So, I get the middle grey, Zone 2 off the black slate and Zone 7 or 8 off the white textured board. Make a meter reading in the manner most comfortable and expose a sheet at Normal. Then, with aperature prioriety, stop N-1, N-2, N-3; then plus four stops. Next by shutter prioriety, N-1, N-2 etc. So with 15 pieces of film, you develop 16 pieces (include the unexposed piece) in your normal and favorite developer with technique of familiariety and contact all at the same times based on a 'good' print from the normal exposure. >From then on, you'll know. EVERYTHING. S. Shapiro ----- Original Message ----- From: "*-CHILLED DELIRIUM-*" <sfunp@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us> To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" <photoforum@ase-listmail.rit.edu> Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 11:42 AM Subject: Re: Determining the amount of overexposure > > > On Mon, 10 Jun 2002, Gregory Fraser wrote: > > > I have two exposure questions. > > > > 1. While testing a camera on the weekend I estimated the 101 year old > > shutter speed to be 1/30 second. However I now feel my estimate was a wee > > bit off. The negatives are almost solid black with only the faintest > > discernable detail. The shots were of a city lit by direct sunlight at f32. > > Does anyone have a rough idea of how many stops I was likely off by without > > actually seeing the negatives which I didn't even bother fixing. > > Around three-four stops would be my guess. I suggest you > bracket next time you do this. > > > 2. While taking these photos I was only wearing one black sock and a lime > > green thong. Was I overexposed? > > Only if overdeveloped. > > --- Luis >
