6x6 Depth of Field and Shooting Indoors

jckim · Mar 14, 2017

I just bought a Rolleiflex 3.5E2 (my first TLR!). I've shot a few rolls, but I haven't developed them yet, so I don't know how amazing the results will be!

I have a small get together on Saturday, and I'd like to be able to take some photos of the people I love. We'll just be playing games and enjoying each other's company. I was just wondering what speed film you'd bring and how you'd rate it? And more importantly, what apertures would be deep enough to capture people's faces while also getting enough light?

I have a few rolls of Ilford HP5 400 and Fuji Acros 100. I was thinking of taking only the HP5 and rating it at 1600 ISO, but I've never had to shoot in low light indoors before, so I'd like to hear from your experiences! Thank you so much!

wiltw · Mar 14, 2017

Medium format, with lens that has same (vertical) AOV as 135 format at same camera position (56mm on MF vs. 24mm on 135) and same aperture, will have 1/3 the DOF zone depth

135 format, 48mm (2* frame vertical) f/4 at 16' frames 8' x 12' area with 7' DOF zone
6x6 format, 112mm (2 * frame vertical) f/4 at 16' frames 8.4' x 8.4' area with 2.4' DOF zone

...you would have to use -3EV smaller aperture with 6x6 to get the same DOF

etn · Mar 15, 2017

Film grain is generally not an issue with medium format, therefore you can easily use 400 film. Which is good for 2 reasons: lenses are not as fast as 35mm lenses; and depth of field of MF is smaller so you can use a smaller aperture to get similar DoF as with 35mm.

howardpan · Mar 15, 2017

Recently, I also had to shoot a few rolls in an indoor environment. I used Fred Parker's web site as part of my research.

http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm#Light Intensity Chart

I used an EV 4-6 as my estimate and determined the film EI based on my available aperature and desired shutter speed. Most of shots were take at EI 1600 1/125 f1.4. I have used HP5 and Delta 3200 at EI 1600 and have been quite happy with the results. I was using a 35mm rangefinder. Since you plan to use a TLR, you will face different constraints.

removed account4 · Mar 15, 2017

hi jckim

do you have access to a flash unit? sometimes a flash on a cold shoe with a pc sync/plug pounted UP to bounce off the ceiling
can work well when shooting indoors and you don't have enough light. with your TLR you have a leaf shutter so it will sync at any speed
( from what i remember ), so even when you are pushing your 400 speed film, if you want a little extra light you can give it a little something extra.
you don't need a big flash-burst just a small one. you can practice ( i would recommend shooting a roll in similar lighting before you go )
dimly lit rooms, probably windows are always "fun"
have a nice time with your friends !
john

PS ( added latetr !! )
purchased camera USED - CLA
not sure if it is feasible before when you
want to make your photographs, but it goes without
hesitation purchase a used camera get a CLA ( unless the seller said
he ;she did it already or you have a shutter meter and know how your shutter is performing .....
nothing stinks worse than equipment failure ! make sure you check your PC socket as well !

Neal · Mar 15, 2017

Dear jckim,

This will be of no value but I keep a few rolls of Delta 3200 on hand for just those sorts of occasions. Exposed at 3200 and developed with Xtol stock you get a nice smooth photo with surprising shadow detail.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

chassis · Mar 15, 2017

I would use flash as mentioned above. Years ago I shot many rolls of underexposed and blurry film because I was chasing proper exposure at box speed in low light conditions.

tedr1 · Mar 15, 2017

If you want sharp pictures you need all the film speed you can get. As you probably know there are three problems because of the low light level in typical domestic rooms, slow shutter speeds introduce camera shake blur, slow shutter speeds introduce subject motion blur, wide apertures cause shallow depth of field. By the use of fast film speed some chance of sharp pictures becomes possible. HP5 at 1600 will give you high contrast (strong highlights but weak shadows) if you can find a film with a box speed of 800 or 1600 it will give better results than pushed HP5. How about Delta 3200?

Harry Stevens · Mar 15, 2017

jckim said:
I just bought a Rolleiflex 3.5E2 (my first TLR!). I've shot a few rolls, but I haven't developed them yet, so I don't know how amazing the results will be!

I really think you should have got a roll developed to see if the camera is performing,I personally would not use any purchased camera in the situation you mentioned unless I had run a test film through it and tested the camera and the flash .

John Koehrer · Mar 15, 2017

howardpan said:
Recently, I also had to shoot a few rolls in an indoor environment. I used Fred Parker's web site as part of my research.

http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm#Light Intensity Chart

I used an EV 4-6 as my estimate and determined the film EI based on my available aperature and desired shutter speed. Most of shots were take at EI 1600 1/125 f1.4. I have used HP5 and Delta 3200 at EI 1600 and have been quite happy with the results. I was using a 35mm rangefinder. Since you plan to use a TLR, you will face different constraints.

With a 3.5 lens that's 1/15th sec.
jnanian's suggestion of flash bounced from the ceiling is easy enough, assuming you have a flash.

Fixcinater · Mar 15, 2017

I would shoot at 1/60th or lower if you can brace it or set the camera on something and your subjects/your intent would allow them to sit still.

Pushed 400 speed film can work just fine but Delta 3200 is beautiful in medium format but don't expect the camera to make a dark situation look like a well-lit situation. Dark things can stay dark.

I prefer to use semi-stand when in low light situations, no matter the film. Helps reduce the extra contrast that is sometimes not evident when shooting in low light.

howardpan · Mar 15, 2017

John Koehrer said:
With a 3.5 lens that's 1/15th sec.
jnanian's suggestion of flash bounced from the ceiling is easy enough, assuming you have a flash.

Or maybe use a tripod. Or maybe use a 135 camera which will give you a greater depth of field, all else being equal, and possibly a faster lens.

John Koehrer · Mar 16, 2017

jckim said:
I just bought a Rolleiflex 3.5E2 (my first TLR!). I've shot a few rolls, but I haven't developed them yet, so I don't know how amazing the results will be!

I have a small get together on Saturday, and I'd like to be able to take some photos of the people I love. We'll just be playing games and enjoying each other's company. I was just wondering what speed film you'd bring and how you'd rate it? And more importantly, what apertures would be deep enough to capture people's faces while also getting enough light?

I have a few rolls of Ilford HP5 400 and Fuji Acros 100. I was thinking of taking only the HP5 and rating it at 1600 ISO, but I've never had to shoot in low light indoors before, so I'd like to hear from your experiences! Thank you so much!

Sirius Glass · Mar 16, 2017

Neal said:
Dear jckim,

This will be of no value but I keep a few rolls of Delta 3200 on hand for just those sorts of occasions. Exposed at 3200 and developed with Xtol stock you get a nice smooth photo with surprising shadow detail.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

Welcome to APUG

Shoot the ISO 400 film for now and develop in XTOL. Later try some Ilford Delta 3200 developed in XTOL. XTOL gives a slight speed boost. Shooting film above box speed and developing for longer increases contrast and grain, but not film speed.

6x6 Depth of Field and Shooting Indoors

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