Difference between over exposure and over development

super_claret · Apr 17, 2023

As an inexperienced film photographer, how can I tell the difference between overexposure and over development? Is there a way to measure density, without having to spend a fortune on a densitomete? Can the Colour Munki printer profiler be used to measure density?

albada · Apr 17, 2023

ColourMunki implies you are using a colour printer, which implies you are shooting colour film, which suggests you are having your film developed somewhere. I'm not familiar with the E-6 process, but the C-41 process, which is used for colour print film, is standardised, and a lab should never under- or over-develop it. Perhaps you could tell us the specifics of your process -- black-and-white vs. colour, developed yourself or by a lab, etc.

super_claret · Apr 17, 2023

albada said:
ColourMunki implies you are using a colour printer, which implies you are shooting colour film, which suggests you are having your film developed somewhere. I'm not familiar with the E-6 process, but the C-41 process, which is used for colour print film, is standardised, and a lab should never under- or over-develop it. Perhaps you could tell us the specifics of your process -- black-and-white vs. colour, developed yourself or by a lab, etc.

No, I’m shooting black and white and processing at home, the Colour Munki reference was to ask if these profiling kits could be used to measure b&w film density? Apologies for not making that clear.

foc · Apr 17, 2023

For B&W film problems here are a few images that might help.

Have a look here at the Ilford website for more details.
B&W common processing problems

And for C41 colour negative have a look at this link.

Color Negative Film Processing Errors

RalphLambrecht · Apr 17, 2023

super_claret said:
As an inexperienced film photographer, how can I tell the difference between overexposure and over development? Is there a way to measure density, without having to spend a fortune on a densitomete? Can the Colour Munki printer profiler be used to measure density?

I consider a densitometer a fundamentally vital tool for analog and digital photographers alike. That said, overexposure raises shadow detail but not overall contrast. Overdevelopment only raises overall contrast. In combination, they render the negative unprintable.

Difference between over exposure and over development

super_claret

albada

super_claret

foc

RalphLambrecht

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