Will Slow Speed Films Give More Detail And Sharpness

IanBarber · May 24, 2016

Will using slow speed Medium Format 120 films give more sharpness and more detail than using high speed films.

frank · May 24, 2016

Short answer is yes.

IanBarber · May 24, 2016

frank said:
Short answer is yes.

Thanks

bdial · May 24, 2016

The slightly longer answer is "it depends".
For example, if you are hand-holding the camera, shooting a moving subject, with the lens stopped down for depth of field, the faster film may well yield sharper images with better detail, the print might display more grain though.

IanBarber · May 24, 2016

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate hand held and slow shutter speeds would also be something to add to the mix.

ic-racer · May 24, 2016

Short answer is probably not. Both T-max 100 and T-max 400 have fantastic MTF curves, your sharpness will likely be limited by your choice of tripod and aperture, rather than film. In terms of 'detail' I suspect you mean shadow detail, which will be better with the higher speed film.

frank · May 24, 2016

Slower 135 film can rival faster 120 film in sharpness, rendition of fine detail, in richness of tonality, and smoothness of tonal transitions.

Athiril · May 24, 2016

Yes, T-Max 100 is best out of all the normal films, the next closest is Rollei Retro 80s, which is about as sharp, but with much finer grain, vastly different tonal rendition though. Better at 50 speed than 80. Imho a 400 speed film in 6x7 will be better than a 100 speed film in 35mm. eg: T-Max/Delta 400 vs T-Max 100.

HiHoSilver · May 24, 2016

I'm learning from this one. 'Particularly Frank & Athiril's last posts.
Thank You, Gents.

Prof_Pixel · May 24, 2016

If you want sharpness and detail, use a tripod!

Theo Sulphate · May 24, 2016

In medium format, I used Kodak Technical Pan at ISO 25 when my goal was high detail and virtually no grain with 16x20 inch prints.

I began photography with Kodachrome II at ASA (ISO) 25, so 25 is actually normal for me. I don't photograph black cats in coalbins at midnight and I never use flash.

For me and my style of landscape and city shooting, a 100 speed film is moderately fast, and 400 is very fast. I've never shot at 1200 or above (even with digit*l).

Technique is more important - which is why, when the situation requires it, I use a tripod, pre-release the camera to get the mirror and baffles up, and use a cable release. I also use fixed focal length ("prime") lenses. I keep the aperture at either f/5.6 or f/8 for 35mm format, since those apertures are usually optimal. For medium or large format, my choice depends on the lens I'm using.

Adox CMS 20 at ISO 25 is one I haven't tried yet, but will since Tech Pan is gone.

MattKing · May 24, 2016

There is nothing inherently wrong with tho OP's original question, but it really isn't the best first question.

The first question should be about what tecniques and approaches will give more detail and "sharpness", given the circumstances of the shot.? The next question should be whether faster films are necessary in order to make those techniques and approaches possible? The final question should be, if you have a choice between film speeds, will slower film speeds improve the detail and "sharpness"?

This may be controversial, but I think that with medium format, you may get higher "sharpness" with higher speed film, because grainier film often appears "sharper".

Poisson Du Jour · May 24, 2016

It does come across to me as a very odd question.
For what it's worth though, if you are after hair-splitting sharpness and detail, dock the camera on a tripod, use the best lens you have and load the camera with ADOX CMS II 20 B&W, rating it as either 20 or 25ISO.

There is little point in aiming for detail and sharpness in a film if baseline technique (subject knowledge, composition, exposure etc.) with a camera is wanting.

Kawaiithulhu · May 24, 2016

Anything good to come from mentioning specialty "surveillance" films?

MattKing · May 24, 2016

You will get more apparent "sharpness" from controlling the lighting than from anything you do with the film.

frank · May 24, 2016

I've settled on 400 speed B+W film for all my shooting. In 135 and fast lenses I can shoot quick and in room light at night. With 120 film, I get great enlargements.

Doremus Scudder · May 25, 2016

Let's not cloud the issue here. Sure, camera-handling technique will make a difference in sharpness, as will film size, aperture, subject movement, developer choice, etc., but that's not the question.

As a general rule, slower films are finer-grained, render more fine detail (acutance) and are contrastier. Faster films are grainier, inherently less contrasty and (due to the grain structure) render the finest details less well. All of this is because generally larger silver-halide crystals are needed for faster film.

This basic difference was more important in the past. With modern films, better sensitizing and tabular-grain technology, these differences have been minimized; often you would need a microscope to see significant differences.

This latter is why everyone is recommending to concentrate more on camera handling and optimum aperture.

Best,

Doremus

bernard_L · May 25, 2016

If you want sharpness and detail, use a tripod!

+1

And, Barry Thornton (among others) argued that a moderate amount of grain enhances the subjective impression of sharpness.

Nodda Duma · May 25, 2016

Well-corrected optics give more detail and sharpness on a steady camera. The question is, does the film have the ability to record it, and will the developing process preserve / enhance it?

I think that's a better way to view the process if you're looking for ways to improve image quality.

removed account4 · May 25, 2016

ianbarber:

your question is a trick question ( its not just the film)
there are handfuls of stuffs that effect image sharpness ( and everyting is a compromise).
dont' stop your lens down too much because it will not help but hurt
( they say f16-16.5 is as far as one should stop a 35mm lens down so defraction? refraction? doesn't rear its ugly head )
use a developer designed to enhance sharpness, that might help too.
be careful, the sharpness rabbit hole is long and deep, and when you find the other side
your 35mm will turn into a 11x14 camera, and 19th century landscape lens !

have fun
john

JohnnyAtari · May 25, 2016

bernard_L said:
+1

And, Barry Thornton (among others) argued that a moderate amount of grain enhances the subjective impression of sharpness.

Agreed. In Barry Thornton's "The Edge of Darkness", he explains in great detail of how grain gives the impression of sharpness. Many other factors are in play here, such as tripod, aperture, acutance of developer, developer temperature, etc.

As he was a self confessed sharpness junkie, the whole book pretty much just revolves around getting the sharpest possible images. Well worth a read, it will be a worthy addition to your book shelf.

Xmas · May 25, 2016

Don't worry at normal viewing distance you won't see much difference if you are short sighted or have a magnifying glass yes but people do not view a Turner landscape to look at his brush stroke techniques.
There are those that use a single coated lens from the '50 and try to get the grain bigger for nostalgia.
Digital and IQ is another fora!

RalphLambrecht · May 25, 2016

IanBarber said:
Will using slow speed Medium Format 120 films give more sharpness and more detail than using high speed films.

more detail and sharpness only comes from larger negatives.

frank · May 25, 2016

And the reason it comes from larger negatives is because of less magnification/enlargement of grain. Another way is to use slower film with smaller tighter grain structure.

Prof_Pixel · May 25, 2016

The film isn't the only important issue. The last time I checked, the MTF performance of large format lenses didn't match the performance of medium format and 35mm lenses.

Will Slow Speed Films Give More Detail And Sharpness

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