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Tmax 400 overexposed

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Gerry M

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I just took some shots with my Horizon 202 and Tmax 400. Mid day with very bright sun. Shots were in an open farm field. My LunaPro SBC called for f16@500, but the fastest shutter speed on the Horizon is 250, so I used f16@250. Should I shorten developing time, and if so by how much? I want to use HC110 and the Massive Dev chart shows dil B for 5.5 mins 68F. Any input would be appreciated.
 
In theory that one stop is within the film's latitude however I personally often shoot 1/2 to 1 full stop over exposed especially in bright contrasty sunlight and then pull back development time by 20-25%. In this case I'd recommend you use dilution H which is half as much HC-110 as dilution B and double your Dil B time (for H I do 16ml per 1000ml of water). In this case at 68F I'd do 8min 15sec with dilution H.
 
I'd just develop normally.
 
^^^ Assuming the contrast range of the scene matches the paper/grade you normally use, this would be my tactic.
 
I doubt it has been over-exposed.

At least if you define "over-exposed" as an exposure that results in a loss of quality.

T-Max 400 has a lot of capacity to capture highlight detail. And I would be surprised if the Horiuzon would have an exceptionally high contrast optical system.
 
The exposure is well within the latitude of the film. Just develop it normally and you will be fine. Typically the latitude of many films is from 3-1/2 stops over to 1 stop under exposure.
 
You are exposing a 400 film in brilliant sunlight at an EV of 16, which is not only OK, but just might give better shadow detail without compromising the highlights. Develop normally; under no circumstances give excess development. - David Lyga
 
Thanks to all for your input/help. I have 7 more frames to shoot before developing. This camera takes 22 exposures on a 36 exp roll. If anything worthwhile is on it, I will post to the gallery with exp/dev info.
 
Kodak TMax 400 can record a LOT of brightness range. Overexposure is seldom a problem; one stop is not even worth mentioning. Just process normally - you might even find those who like EI 200 results better than box speed, but it depends a bit on your technique and your equipment how you arrive at your exposures anyway.
 
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I don't think your film is over exposed by much. What I would not do is develop in HC-110 B. My experience is if you over develop with HC-110, you highlights may be blocked or very difficult to get highlight detail. I don't know if other APUGers experienced the same. I would use XTOL instead.
 
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