Ralph Lambrect's Film Testing Spreadsheet

[Chuck_P]

According to the sheet, N-1 is not obtainable and technically, according to the sheet, neither is N+2. Really? You have no insight as to why -1, not to mention -2, is not possible with this data? For +2, looks like the graph could carry out to 17 min, but that same logic can't be used for -2. This is not acceptable. To proceed from here with these results would be quite a limitation IMHO, does anybody disagree? There has to be a reason for such a limitation on the available SBR's that are being shown possible with this data. The curves graph a perfect match with the Excel file I made for myself to input the data for my previous testing, at least the spreadsheet helps me to confirm that.

 

[Bill Burk]

Hi Chuck,

What density range do you want your negatives to have? I used 1.05 for my analysis because it matches Grade 2.

Your curve family yields a clear Time/CI curve. When I drew triangles on the N-series using the "Contrast Index Required to Print Scenes..." chart, I came up with this absurd series of times.

*Absurd Series*
N-3...4:30
N-2...7:45
N-1...8:45
N...11:45
N+1...about 20:00

Then.. I took your 11 minute time for N because CI 0.6 is very close to 0.62, and the "Contrast Index Meter" transparent overlay arc crosses very closely to the reasonable negative density. (In other words, CI looks like a good fit for N).

Then I moved to the left and right increments of 0.30 (one stop). This is where I marked whole N numbers. I plotted these and drew a curve and found the following series...

*Reasonable Series*
N-3...2:30
N-2...4:45
N-1...7:45
N...11:00 - benchmark
N+1... about 20:00

I believe the main differences in my two methods is that CI does not predict well where the 1.05 negative density is going to be reached... But the curve family nails it! So I am more inclined to trust the series of times that came from studying the curve family and where the highlights will fall.

Either way you can see N+1 might be 20 minutes or more. If you need to achieve N+1 you should probably plan to use a stronger working dilution of HC-110.

 

[Stephen Benskin]

Chuck, if Ralph's results are similar to mine, something isn't right about the results from your test. Somehow it's not interpreting the data correctly. Ralph got different results than you using the same program and your data, and I got similar results to Ralph using a different program.

If you accept the results I got from your data, your developmental range is from under +2 to +1 with a projected +2 at around 18.5 minutes. Your normal is at 11 minutes. Your testing appears to be successful. I agree here with Ralph. Your testing data is valid. You are standing on solid ground, but you are using a new tool and it's your results that are suspect. Maybe Ralph can suggest what's causing the difference with your results.

Here are the projected development times based on Ralph's developmental model which is based on a desired NDR of 1.20, an average luminance range of 2.10, and no flare. See the table in post #24.

 

[Bill Burk]

Chuck pm'd me he wants negatives to hit 1.2, and he'd prefer not to include adjustment for camera flare.

So (same curve family - it is totally valid and remains unchanged) here is a graph showing N-times based on what would hit 1.2 densities in the highlights.

I was looking at this being "N"...

Zone VIII = step 5
Zone I = step 19

Then I went left and right two steps per stop... Just working to keep the negative to hit 1.2 above whatever Zone I was giving... Not dealing with Contrast Index, just trying to hit the negative densities that Chuck wants versus the exposure the neg has... Just reading off the curve family graph.

CPorter HC-110 TRI-X v2

This gives what I believe is reasonable N-Series, but is an unusual method of computation, so I would not be surprised there are other suggested time series that fit the same data...

N-Times to hit 1.2 negative density in the highlights Zone VIII
N-2...4 min
N-1...6:15
N...9:15
N+1...13:15
N+2...about 20 min (recommend stronger concentration of HC-110 to hit this).