XP-2 and exposure

modafoto · Nov 2, 2004

Hi

I have seen that XP-2 can be exposed at rating from 50 to 1600 without change in dev time (C-41).
Is that correct? And how should I expect an ISO 50 neg and an ISO 1600 neg to be?

Morten

psvensson · Nov 2, 2004

You'll get some kind of image at 50 and 1600, but it won't be a good one. XP-2 looks like hell when exposed at anything higher than 320. Overexposure is not as bad, but you lose contrast, because the film has a long sloping shoulder. The most common advice is to expose it at 200-250, and I agree with that.

Melisa Taylor · Nov 2, 2004

I know someone who swears by XP2 rated at 320.

Thomas Bertilsson · Nov 2, 2004

I have gotten excellent results from xp-2 super exposed from ISO100-800. I agree however that it seems to work best at e.i.200 or so.
I guess you have to figure out what you want to do with either added or decreased depth of field, which I think is this film's largest advantage.

If I had a way of processing c41 successfully at home, I'd use it all the time.

TPPhotog · Nov 2, 2004

Morten I rate it at 250 or 320 depending on the lighting conditions. I've heard from people I trust that it's a film that doesn't like to be underexposed so the thought of pushing it sounds a little doubtful.

Jim Moore · Nov 2, 2004

While I haven't used XP2-Super extensively when I do I rate it @ 320 with good results.

The photos I have posted in the gallery shot with XP2-Super where rated @ 320

Jim

Ian Grant · Nov 2, 2004

modafoto said:
Hi

I have seen that XP-2 can be exposed at rating from 50 to 1600 without change in dev time (C-41).
Is that correct? And how should I expect an ISO 50 neg and an ISO 1600 neg to be?

Morten

Well I used XP-1 then XP-2 for years uprating to 1600 & 3200 ISO but I did increase the developing times in Photocolor II C41 chemistry

Here's a couple of images on this board
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
&
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I do have the process data sheet near to hand if you need further details. Personally I now shoot work like this digitally as the quality is far higher IMO, and the clients!

Peter De Smidt · Nov 2, 2004

On a recent trip, I shot about 60 rolls of 120 XP-2 Super. I exposed generally at EI 200, but sometimes at EI100. So far the negatives look very good, and they've been printing on average at ISO grade 1.5. The negatives are contrastier than I expected, but that's not a bad thing.

modafoto · Nov 3, 2004

Ian Grant said:
Well I used XP-1 then XP-2 for years uprating to 1600 & 3200 ISO but I did increase the developing times in Photocolor II C41 chemistry

Hmmm...I guess I will not use this film for pushing hard as I do not develop C41 at home (nor will I get into it...too much hassle)

I try to shoot it from 100 to 800, have them developed at my local photo pusher and evaluate the negs.

Morten

Adrian Twiss · Nov 3, 2004

modafoto said:
Hmmm...I guess I will not use this film for pushing hard as I do not develop C41 at home (nor will I get into it...too much hassle)

Morten

Morten

It may be worth your while processing at home. The results I have had with commercially processed XP2 were less than inspriing. I'm talking about the negatives rather than the prints.

Adrian

Thomas Bertilsson · Nov 4, 2004

The XP-2 Super I had processed was done in a professional lab, using a converted e6 dip and dunk machine with tightly controlled chemistry. Honestly, the XP2 is a very very good film. Like I said, if I could process c41 at home successfully, I'd use the stuff all the time. Latitude is enormous.

Good luck. Please tell us what your findings are.

Cheryl Jacobs · Nov 5, 2004

XP2 can handle a whopping seven stops of overexposure (not recommending that, though!) but is not at all good with underexposure. I've heard some say that they've pushed XP2 with good results, but personally, if I want to push film, I'll push Tri-X.

Lots of people go for the high-contrast look of XP2 at 200 or 320. At 400 it tends to look kind of like Delta 400 without the grain. Portrait photographers tend to blast the hell out of this film to blow out unwanted skin texture and make eyes and eyelashes pop. I don't much care for that look most of the time, but it can be quite eye-catching.

XP-2 and exposure

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency