Making the most of an underexposed negative

138S said:

The challenge is a classic matter: how to get an speed increase while not increasing too much contrast, conserving highlights and not increasing grain too much

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Also known as: the challenge to cut your losses, make the best of it, move on and do better next time.

Sirius Glass said:

Look up the Kodak XTOL data sheet on how much extra development time is needed. Added development time will increase the density and contrast for under exposed film.

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Hi Sirius, I am worried that push processing will result in overdeveloped highlights while doing little for the shadows.

Bill Burk said:

I think you might have given the film correct exposure. 8 seconds, right?

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Hi Bill, yes, I exposed for 8 seconds, as filter and reciprocity totaled an increase of 4 stops. (0.5 s to 8 s). However, the starting point should have been 2 seconds, resulting in a corrected exposure time of 32 s.

I thoroughly appreciate everyone's input. Thanks! I found no way of getting my hands on Diafine or other speed-enhancing developers before I'm leaving for a trip next week, so XTOL 1+2 it is. I am filling the jobo 2520 tank with 1500 ml of working solution and developing for 15 min with reduced agitation.

Hi all, the developed negative are absolutely usable. Thanks again for your insight. I learned the lessons to always double check my meter, and also stock up on Microphen for emergencies like these. Have a great weekend.

andersd said:

Hi all, the developed negative are absolutely usable. Thanks again for your insight. I learned the lessons to always double check my meter, and also stock up on Microphen for emergencies like these. Have a great weekend.

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Great to now that, congratulations !