An outing with Efke positive B&W paper loaded into my 4x5 holders. Scan is pretty much straight, to show the (distressing, IMHO) contrast.
Shot in fading soft and quite dim light near sunset.
That's pretty nice, Colin. Is this single weight paper? I've found that with Dektol you get a bit softer tones when diluted like that, which is probably useful with the high contrast. Two thoughts:
1. Have you tried any older glass with less contrast? I'm thinking Petzval and similar types of lenses used for collodion.
2. Have you tried Ansco 130 developer? I think you gain more softness from it when you dilute it than Dektol, but I could be talking out of my hat on that one.
This is neat, something I will have to try when I get film holders for my old 5x7.
Thanks for sharing your results!
- Thomas
I will try the alternate developers, folks - many thanks for the suggestions!
I think a lot of it is exposure and light conditions, also -- I had my best results in soft dim light, the worst results in hard bright sunlight. I'd be curious to try this paper out indoors.
I don't know how to pre-flash paper but once I do I'd like to try that out and see how it affects results, also.
And Thomas, I think if I had equipment for collodion, I'd be veering off in a whole new addiction on that route! Definitely something I'd like to try.