Sharpness Puzzle...

[SAShruby]

I try to never expose any 4X5 below F 32...more normally F22 for reasons of defraction.

I know. I tried it with F45 just to see if the negative would improve. I shoot 4x5 mostly up to F32 too. There no too much difference between my F32's and F45 one.

Additionally 16X20 is the upper limit of a print that I am satisfied with on that size negative...more usually 11X14.

Curious about that. If 35mm film can be enlarged to 8x10 which is 7 times, why 4x5 would have different properties? Shoudn't be normal to do 16x20 from 4x5's?

[Greg Lockrey]

What kind of feet does your tripod have? This looks like vibration to me.

[SAShruby]

What kind of feet does your tripod have? This looks like vibration to me.

It's a Ries Tripod.

[Greg Lockrey]

It's a Ries Tripod.

Are the feet metal or rubber? (I don't own a Ries).

[SAShruby]

Are the feet metal or rubber? (I don't own a Ries).

Both. This shot was taken on metal screws. Previous were on rubber. Is it possible that shutter could be a cause?

[Greg Lockrey]

Both. This shot was taken on metal screws. Previous were on rubber. Is it possible that shutter could be a cause?

That's my next thought. Is it a Compur or Copal? My Compur's always sounded like they would scare a rhino. Especially at slow speeds.

I know that this is going to sound weird but harmonic vibrations are possibly at play here. Try setting the height of your tripod a little lower next time.

[SAShruby]

That's my next thought. Is it a Compur or Copal? My Compur's always sounded like they would scare a rhino. Especially at slow speeds.

I know that this is going to sound weird but harmonic vibrations are possibly at play here. Try setting the height of your tripod a little lower next time.

All are Copals. I will try to lower it. My usuall leg spread is around 30 degrees.

[Greg Lockrey]

All are Copals. I will try to lower it. My usuall leg spread is around 30 degrees.

I would pay attention to the length of the leg extension. That's where the harmonics would be in play. It's just an idea. You can probably get to your working height by lengthing the legs and using a wider stance, anything to change the length of the leg. Copals are definitely smoother IMO. There could be other factors causing vibration too. I could be wrong in my assesment, but it looks like vibration to me based on what I'm seeing here.

[SAShruby]

I would pay attention to the length of the leg extension. That's where the harmonics would be in play. It's just an idea. You can probably get to your working height by lengthing the legs and using a wider stance, anything to change the length of the leg. Copals are definitely smoother IMO. There could be other factors causing vibration too. I could be wrong in my assesment, but it looks like vibration to me based on what I'm seeing here.

Well, this weekend if weather will permit (forecast is raining till Tuesday) I will try it. Result will be posted as soon as I will develop the negative.

Thanks Greg.

Still, if anyone has any other suggestions, they're welcomed here.

[Greg Lockrey]

I'm not all that familiar with this 20 minute stand method of development that you descibed. I'm a HC-110 for 7 minutes with agitation every 30 sec kind of guy. I'm wondering if it might be the method of developement being that the emulsion is getting soft by being wet for so long. OR: how about the age of the film? What you do seem to have is consistancey and if you change something in the method will the problem become less? If so, you have your answer. My $.02.