Neon Signs

[Jarrett]

I went out to test shooting slide film at night. I found some neon sign to test my metering against. Provia 100 is nice since you get 2 minutes before reciprocity failure. Velvia 50 was a bit more tricky. I just metered for the shadows to overexpose the lights, which I believe worked well here.



Spotmatic / Takumar 200mm 3.5 / Provia 100F
Exposure time was about 1 minute. I can't remember. I need to start taking notes.




Spotmatic / SMC Takumar 135mm 2.5 / Velvia 50
exposure time was 2 minute due to reciprocity



Spotmatic / SMC Takumar 55mm 2 / Velvia 50
exposure time was 2 minute due to reciprocity

 

[dmr]

I've found that negative film works better than slide film for neon. It seems like you're always gonna blow the highlights, but I try to get the exposure so that the non-white tubes show some color. Immediately below is with Cinestill, GIII. The one far below is neon in daylight, auto exposure, generic drug store Fuji, and shows good color on the tubes.

 

[AgX]

As a side note: around my place I do not even know of a display still employing neon tube or similar, they were long time ago substituted by the light-box type of displays

 

[Jarrett]

As a side note: around my place I do not even know of a display still employing neon tube or similar, they were long time ago substituted by the light-box type of displays

Yeah it was pretty tough to find some more lights in my city. I tried find more, but didn't have too much luck.

 

[mshchem]

Yeah it was pretty tough to find some more lights in my city. I tried find more, but didn't have too much luck.

Nicely done. Look up an old Kodak Master Photoguide. According to my 1978 version ASA 64 Ektachrome shooting Neon signs and illuminated signs starting exposure is 1/8th s at f 8. Isn't that Pentax glass beautiful! Bracket like crazy. Reciprocity failure may be so pronounced the shorter exposures may be ok I would bracket like crazy and record each shot. Slide film is awesome (but expensive ) way to dial in the right exposure for your negative film too. I'm not sure about Fujichrome, but in the old days there was S and L color negative film S for shorter the 1/10 second and L for 1/10 to 10 seconds IIRC. I love the subject matter.

 

[Sirius Glass]

There is a setting for neon signs on the Jiffy Night Calculator
https://www.scribd.com/document/2604955/jiffy

 

[Jarrett]

There is a setting for neon signs on the Jiffy Night Calculator
https://www.scribd.com/document/2604955/jiffy

Thank you. I'll give it a try and compare.