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Low contrast neg

Mats_A

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I have a similar question to Belelan in a prev thread.
I made a picture of a flower with my old ICA folding camera using Fomapan 100 as film and Fomadon LQN as developer. Paper is Foma FB.
Picture is attached.
I like it very much. The softness I assume comes from the 90 year old uncoated lens. But I am curios about the lack of contrast. Could that be the developer, the film, the camera or what.
Development was 10 minute in tray. I lifted up the sheet every minute, once tilting to the right, once to the left.

I understand that it is very hard to give a definitive answer from just one picture but any advice would be appreciated.

r

Mats
 

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It'll be a combination of lighting, the uncoated lens, dev time etc. When uncoated lenses where common photographers processed to higher contrasts & densities using formulae most wouldn't dream of using now as they aren't fine grain.

Try increasing the dev times by 25-30%

Ian
 
LQN is a Phenidone Hydrochinone normal contrast developer.
LQR is a contrast working Phenidone Hydroquinone developer.

Combined with a soft old lens it will give softer results. But this is in general. By developing longer and having a higher gamma the developer curve will be steeper.
By putting on paper you normally correcting this by multi-grade paper to have a regular contrast.

Normally you select a developer on grain, sharpness, acutance. By diluting a developer you can sometimes reach more sharpness.

So all parameters are messing around a bit and you will try to find the best compromise for the picture.
 
Also consider a lens hood to increase the effective contrast (by lowering flare).
 
Like Ian says, older lenses that are uncoated will not exhibit as much contrast and you have to adjust (increase time and/or agitation) your film processing accordingly until you reach a level of contrast you are comfortable with in your printing.

The lens hood suggestions is also helpful.

.
 
paulie said:
i like it, wouldnt change a thing, which lens?

i have a boyer that gives a similar contrast. love it
Click to expand...

I like it too. I just like to understand what causes the softness and how I can control it if I want to.
Lens is a Tessar 1:6.3 13,5cm

Lovely

r

Mats
 
tessar foma well theres a match made in heaven.

also consider era film great tones , cheap as chips

kodak ilford never heard of them, must be for the toffs and the rich, way out of my league
 
Mats, just try playing with your lighting. If you move your light source from front to side, you will pick up a tremendous amount of contrast. Y ou only need a single light source with a snoot and move it around to see where you like it best, and you will have more interesting photos. I love this shot as is, but it is your vision that must be satisfied.
 

I love this shot too. I am very happy with it. I was just curious to find out what causes the softness.
Lightning on this was an overhead chandelier and a silver reflector on the right side of the flower.
I will make more pictures with this camera. Amazing what fun you can have with something you picked up at a swap-meet 15 years ago for 10€.

r

Mats
 
I think that your lighting is flat. Its too even all around with no shadow or highlight. I think a book on lighting technique would serve you well. You could have used a different color backdrop. That being said, I find nothing wrong with the photo, and its softness makes it stand out.The starkness of the stems is somewhat profound. At first glance, the thumbnail appears to be (almost)an industrial shot.
 
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