Sunny 16-Fact or Fiction?

[Loren Sattler]

Sunny 11, clearer scan

Here is a more readable scan.

 

[Xmas]

See scans of film data sheets for Tri-X dated April 1979 and Plus-X dated January 1980. Both these suggest "Sunny 11" rather than "Sunny 16" Curious??

No normal the film standard for mono was changed in 61 Trix was 200 ASA and was changed to 400 ASA because everyone was using photo electric meters...

So you need to adjust ISO to use the old pro method.

 

[1L6E6VHF]

Since Tri-X is/was 400, and the suggested shutter speed 1/500, it's actually endorsing "sunny f13" or thereabouts.

As for Plus-X, the suggestion is 1/250 - exactly twice the ISO rating of 125, so f11 corresponds to "sunny f16".

 

[blockend]

Tri-X was a lot slower back then.

Most black and white film speed ratings were doubled in the early 1960s. It was felt manufacturer's were erring one stop on the side of caution to accommodate simple cameras, and contemporary models were accurate enough to no longer require the safety margin. See "film speed changes" on this page: http://www.photomemorabilia.co.uk/Ilford/Chronology.html

 

[Xmas]

Since Tri-X is/was 400, and the suggested shutter speed 1/500, it's actually endorsing "sunny f13" or thereabouts.

As for Plus-X, the suggestion is 1/250 - exactly twice the ISO rating of 125, so f11 corresponds to "sunny f16".

If you are doing it correct sunny side /16 over exposes a stop relative to a meter it needs the increased safety factor to allow for errors.

So if you are training against a meter you set the meter to box ISO do your /16 rule and you are good to go it your /16 rule is a stop over.

The meter is way risky unless you know how to use it.