Can I expect an improvement?

[jolefler]

I'm struggling getting good contrast out of my older, uncoated lenses. Using similar exposures and processing, I don't have any trouble with my 1950's and newer coated glass. Haze doesn't seem to be a major factor in either.

Most of my printing with VC paper is at least grade 4 1/2, sometimes greater, when doing the muddy results of circa 1937 Summars and Elmars. With the same film/exposure/developement, I'm printing at grade 2 1/2-3....with my Nikkors, grade 2 is snappy.

I'm springing for a Y2 and orange filter to fit the Leitz glass...am I on the right track?

Jo

 

[Ian Grant]

With the older lenses you'll need to increase the dev times to bump up the contrast. By the sound of it you need a decent increase possibly 30% +, you may also need to drop the exposure by a third of a stop.

Ian

 

[Nick Zentena]

At least do a film test.

Plus hood?

 

[reellis67]

I second the hood idea. I use one with all of my old, uncoated lenses and get very good results. The filters don't increase contrast across the board - they are more of a value separation tool for certain colors. A filter will lighten the values of those subjects that are the same, or similar color and darken those that fall opposite that color on the color wheel.

It sounds like you need to adjust both your exposure and development times to get the negatives into the range that you want, which takes a little testing. It should be easy enough to test varying amounts of exposure and development adjustments to find the right results.

- Randy

 

[Vaughn]

A lens shade (hood) will help you get back on track with contrast. Use the lens shade even on (and especially on) overcast days...as the diffuse light hitting the lens from all directions will lower one's contrast. Adjusting your exposure and development might also be needed, but the lens shade will help maintain micro contrast (I think that is what it is called -- contrast within shadow areas, etc.)

Vaughn