Show Me Your Night Shots!

[Corran]

You're right, I forgot to mention I did a very short exposure at dusk and then waited for the moon to rise. However the slight shake is not from that...it's from a stupid mistake on my part, unfortunately! So yeah, that's why I've gotta redo it in the future.

[Rory_5244]

Oh! Okay, now I get it.

I'm probably doing something wrong but when I use the exposure times that work well with medium format film, I get underexposed slides/negs with the large format camera. This is using the same film and lens aperture (and infinity focus). Granted, I don't have many LF slides done at night (dangerous where I live), so I'll have to practice some more.

[Leigh]

I'm probably doing something wrong but when I use the exposure times that work well with medium format film, I get underexposed slides/negs with the large format camera. This is using the same film and lens aperture.

Effective film speed is critically dependent on processing method and chemistry.

Also, metering may well differ between the two formats. There are lots of variables.
Film developing methodology is most likely different between the two.

With a studio shoot, I get identical exposures across all formats with the same film and developer.
Of course, I've spent many hours experimenting and fine-tuning the system so that would be true.

- Leigh

[Shailendra]

Shailendra, your moon images are great. I've been experimenting lately with similar things, mostly scouting locations. So many places I want to shoot at have strict rules about being there after around 11pm, which is annoying but I wonder if that's really enforced...but I've been tossed out of places before.

Anyway, shot this earlier this evening. Not perfect but it's a proof of concept. Comments welcome.

Chamonix 45n1, 90mm f/6.8 Grandagon, T-Max 100, FX-39, 2-hour exposure @ f/22

Thanks Bryan! I've gotten into a "night" theme of late and wanted to experiment with B&W film before I try it with color, a lot cheaper and allows me to work out the nuances of the process.

This image of yours is excellent, love the way the moon reflection curved along the water, yet stayed linear along the sky.

[Shailendra]

from Grizzly Peak, Berkely last night.
Chamonix 4x5 500mm T ED
Kodak T-max 100
F/22 ~ 2-3 minutes
Rodinal 1:50


San Francisco Sunset by Shailendra Dhanoa, on Flickr

[Corran]

Thanks, and another nice one! I've been planning some night shots in Atlanta but there are actually very few good places to shoot the skyline, and some serious issues with crime in some places as well as strict restrictions on access past certain times of the night .

[Rory_5244]

Thank you, Leigh: I didn't factor in processing at all! Have to try some more. Beautiful shot, Shailendra.

Effective film speed is critically dependent on processing method and chemistry.

Also, metering may well differ between the two formats. There are lots of variables.
Film developing methodology is most likely different between the two.

With a studio shoot, I get identical exposures across all formats with the same film and developer.
Of course, I've spent many hours experimenting and fine-tuning the system so that would be true.

- Leigh

[Rory_5244]

Whoa, gorgeous images on your website, Shailendra!

[Shailendra]

Thanks Rory, here's another one from the past week:

from Berkeley Marina - 1.5 hour exposure
Chamonix 8x10
Kodak Ektar 100
Nikkor 450mm @ f11


Golden Gate Bridge by Shailendra Dhanoa, on Flickr

[Rory_5244]

Another excellent image, 8x10 colour to boot! Was this at dusk?