Persistent exp problem driving me insane.

[RodinalDuchamp]

This will be a rather lengthy post so thank you to those who read it through.

I started using the 4x5 nearly 3 or 4 months ago. I know I know a veritable lifetime.

During this time I have experimented with several exposure metering techniques and combinations. However I have still not produced adequate negatives.

My negatives are thin even though I believe I am exposing adequately.

Here is a run down of my setup and an exposure example:

Tri-x 320 @ 200 developed 8 minutes in trays with D76

One of the more successful exposures I have attained was during morning light 9-10 am. The exposure was F32 1/4 sec @ 200

The negatives I am getting have been looked at by a couple of older wiser and much more informed people than myself and both have concluded they need more exposure to accentuate the tonal range/separation.

I have tried using a gray card, I have tried placing shadows in zone 3, I have tried metering for the shadows that is taking a reading at the darkest shadow and exposing for that as zone 5.

I'm determined not to give up but I need some help. Where might I be going wrong? Unfortunately I don't have a scanner to present my prints which are also sub par but more importantly the thin negatives.

Guys I'm ready to take any advice at this point. Too add one more piece of information, None of my negatives are overexposed, I'm not coming any where near overexposure.

[Tin Can]

Check your shutter speeds. Buy the shutter speed app.

However most shutters run slow, so it must be something else.

So double and triple the exposure times. Do a test with dark slide being moved an inch every exposure, write it all down.

[Jac@stafford.net]

We do not know what lens and shutter you are using.
I have had a couple of lenses put into a shutter with
incorrect aperture markings. Perhaps your issue is the same.
.

[Jon Shiu]

Also, check your meter against other meters. Check your development. Make sure your thermometer is accurate.

Jon

[RodinalDuchamp]

We do not know what lens and shutter you are using.
I have had a couple of lenses put into a shutter with
incorrect aperture markings. Perhaps your issue is the same.
.

I can confidently state its probably not my lens or shutter as this has been consistent across all of my lens/shutter combos.

[RodinalDuchamp]

Check your shutter speeds. Buy the shutter speed app.

However most shutters run slow, so it must be something else.

So double and triple the exposure times. Do a test with dark slide being moved an inch every exposure, write it all down.

That has never occurred to me. I'm going to start by making that test on a single sheet.

[Michael E]

Expose for the shadows, develop for the highlights. If your shadows are too thin, you need more exposure, if your highlights are less than deep black (in the negative), you need more time in the developer. I usually rate my 100 speed (b/w) film at 25 to get what I want.

[Ken Lee]

All shadows are not created equal.

We may not want to place a white object on Zone III just because it's in the shade. We may not want to place a black object on Zone III just because its in the shade.

Why not find a test subject in flat light, where there are no shadows at all ? In flat lighting, you can safely place a middle gray item on middle gray.

No system is perfect or best. Each can be misused or misunderstood.

[bob carnie]

Switch from Spot Metering to Incident.. you may be over thinking your exposures a common problem

Also I have been making negs for a long while and I only use the sunny f 16 .. pretty dam simple and very reliable.

I will refer to a incident meter indoors and with hot lights.

expose for your open shadows if you are working outside.

[jnantz]

Switch from Spot Metering to Incident.. you may be over thinking your exposures a common problem

Also I have been making negs for a long while and I only use the sunny f 16 .. pretty dam simple and very reliable.

I will refer to a incident meter indoors and with hot lights.

expose for your open shadows if you are working outside.

+1