One reason that I use colored filters like yellow or orange with B&W is that I dislike the look of a washed-out sky that can occur with using no filter. The sky has a lot of UV light that film is overly sensitive to.
Why exposed at 200?
I come from a place whose Summer light is similar to Istanbul's, just much stronger. I shoot 400 ISO film all the time in Summer and I have never, ever used f/16 or f/22 in my exposures. I also have never owned an ND filter. Probably a matter of taste in terms of target exposure. I like to pull.
Curious you'd use the word 'versatility', I love 100 ISO film, but it's 100 ISO film that doesn't give me as much versatility as 400 ISO film in strong light/handheld Summer photography.
As mentioned above it is meant to be a documentary project along a storyline, not "street". B/w because i really like Ara Güler's book about Istanbul.
I am asking for other people's opinion. If you don't want to share yours, so be it.
I was - perhaps wrongly - assuming you're just starting with film photography, and I was assuming you'd expose using an in camera centre-weighted meter.
Thank you again!More good stuff
I think the question "Now I am having second thoughts - isn't b/w a bit unsuitable for photographs taken in summer?" Is what confused many of us. I have never heard that concern expressed. I would definitely give a thought to your film asa/iso in relation to the light you expect to encounter (as many have said above).
as to your equipment, if the Hasselblad 500 series with a waist level finder is familiar and natural for you to use then it is the appropriate kit. If it isn't a very familiar system for you, I would suggest something that is familiar as a potential backup. you don't want to be "learning" a camera while working on a project. It can certainly be done, but why complicate things?
Thank you!
1. Why the yellow filter? I have the old, C Distagon with all its complicated drop-in filter conundrum.
2. isn't b/w a bit unsuitable for photographs taken in summer?
The whole conceptual and psychological aspects of such project - yes, I am aware of them and will deal with them separately. In this forum I will largely ask for technical advice.
I come from a place whose Summer light is similar to Istanbul's, just much stronger. I shoot 400 ISO film all the time in Summer and I have never, ever used f/16 or f/22 in my exposures. I also have never owned an ND filter. Probably a matter of taste in terms of target exposure. I like to pull.
Curious you'd use the word 'versatility', I love 100 ISO film, but it's 100 ISO film that doesn't give me as much versatility as 400 ISO film in strong light/handheld Summer photography.
pulling XP2 gives me way too soft negatives.
With XP2, overexposure is an advantage. The image is formed in the same way as with normally developed negatives, but during processing the film grain is replaced by overlapping, semi dense ‘platelets’ of dye. Because they overlap in the heavily exposed areas, there is no actual gap between the grains, and hence, no impression of grain on the print.
In areas of shadow, less of the platelets are created, allowing more light through the larger gaps. This gives a grainy look.
With conventional films, quality suffers with overexposure if development is not reduced and this shows as harsh grain. the opposite is true of this film. White hair, white dresses, skies etc, all have a beautiful, smooth tonality, which will come as a pleasant surprise if you are used to seeing the bleached out highlights of a digital image. Portraits on XP2 also have a different look, the lighter tones of the image: the skin etc, display a very smooth tonality. The shadow areas, such as dark clothing will show the grain (with 35mm film), but this is not too much of a problem, in most prints you would have to look closely to see it. From a medium format negative it really wouldn’t be a problem.
So if over exposure produces better results, then XP2 is best over exposed. For instance; rated at 200 ISO.
I have the old, C Distagon with all its complicated drop-in filter conundrum. I dont have the inner filter ring, which is extremely hard to find, so its going to be without filters.
More
Thank you again!
I am going to be in town just for a few days, hence the "rehearsal" notion of my trip. I am going to be in that city twice a year.
I dont have many alternatives; it will be one of the V system cameras and one of the lenses.
The whole conceptual and psychological aspects of such project - yes, I am aware of them and will deal with them separately. In this forum I will largely ask for technical advice.
If this is the case — that this trip is a rehearsal and that you can only bring the one camera, lens, and film — then my advice is to focus solely on the conceptual and psychological aspect of your project and leave the technical matters until after you've developed the film.
Personally, to make this even easier, I would take at least one roll of FP4+ and one roll of HP5+, both shot at box speed, and, since you've been given both advices, shoot one roll of XP2 at 200 and another at 400. This would give you a good, basic, esthetic mapping of what the possibilities are.
Same with lens choice. Only after the fact will you be able to clearly state if you need wider, if it's too wide, if you need a lens that brings you closer, and by how much, or if a two- or three-lens kit is best for what you're trying to achieve.
For the rest, since this is a "rehearsal" trip, your best friend, as I mentioned earlier, will be the notebook. A city is a huge and complex place, and there's no way you'll even begin to get the feel of it, photographically speaking, in a couple of days; and if you spend 8 to 10 hours slowly walking around, as this type of project calls for — you other best friends will be you legs —, you'll have spent your few rolls of film in no time.
This was taken in summer, but I doubt that it answers your question:
View attachment 370238
(It is one of the Moderation team at work - and yes, I missed focus!)
If what you want from the your summer photography is colour, and that is a not an unusual thing to want, then black and white film isn't appropriate.
Which brings up the most important question - What is it you want to create with your photography?
If what you want is more like this image, then the colour may be important
View attachment 370239
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