Forte/classic pan 400 & Fomapan 400 in Diafine

[Lachlan Young]

Does anyone know what the EIs for the above films should be when souped in Diafine? Also what are your collective opinions about the quality of Ross Resolux enlarging lenses?

Lachlan

 

[Foto Ludens]

I've only shot one roll of Classic 400 in Diafine, with the sole purpose of finding an E.I. for it. Judging by my non-scientific results, I'd rate it at 200. Anything above 400 was just too thin for normal grade printing, and rating it at 200 gave better shadow detail without any losses of highlights (a white t-shirt in full sun had detail in the contact sheet).

I've never shot Foma 400, but both Foma 100 and 200 look very good at their box speeds (better than their Classic counterparts). So, as a complete guess, I'd rate it at 400.

André

 

[seadrive]

I guess someone could give you his impression of the relative E.I. difference in Classic 400 souped in Diafine vs. something else, but an absolute E.I. just has too many variables, such as meter calibration and shutter speed differences. To get 0.1 above FB+F, you may have to set your meter to 320, while I set mine to 200.

 

[Foto Ludens]

I guess someone could give you his impression of the relative E.I. difference in Classic 400 souped in Diafine vs. something else, but an absolute E.I. just has too many variables, such as meter calibration and shutter speed differences. To get 0.1 above FB+F, you may have to set your meter to 320, while I set mine to 200.

True. To re-state what I said above, I found Classic 400 in Diafine to be about the same E.I. as Foma 200 in diafine (200).

I'd suggest doing what I did: buy a roll of each film you wish to try, shoot a series of frames at different E.I.s in the sun, shade, backlight, etc... I did quick self-portraits holding a notebook with the E.I. of each shot written in large letters (with a magic marker type thing). That way I could not get confused at which e.i. gave me (with my meter, camera, and shooting habits) the best looking prints. And since its Diafine, you can develop them all at the same time...

While you're at it, pick up some JandC Pro 100 and try it. I think it looks really good in Diafine (for me, at E.I. 50 and 100).