Underexposed 4x5 slides

[Peter_3936]

As a beginner in 4x5 photography I'm getting very frustrated in consistently getting Underexposed 4x5 color slides from professional lab. The slides look like they are consistently 2 f stops or more underexposed!!! This despite experimenting with different exposure settings and two film type, Fujichrome Astia 100F and Fujichrome Provia 100F , and taking color Polaroid's, which come out good and accurate. I also tried two different cameras with different lenses, but the results is always the same dark underexposed film! I will next try a different processing lab, but would appreciate any help and suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong. PS I had no such problems with 21/4 format. Thanks in advance.

[Brian Kennedy]

Sometimes, when this happens, you might have forgotten to change the ISO on the meter, forgotten to adjust for a filter or for the bellows, forgotten to adjust for film reciproticy, or you have a mechanical problem with the shutter or light meter.

However, all of those "normal" problems don't seem to have occurred -- it seems odd that the Polaroids would be exposed correctly but the slides would not, provided the same exposure is being used for both.

Since those Fuji films fare much better than Polaroid film for long exposures, it can't be reciprocity. Since the Polaroids are okay, it can't be a shutter or light meter mechanical problem.

Does your Polaroid film have a different ISO and you forgot to change your exposure for the chromes? Is there a problem with your standard film backs versus your Polaroid back (though underexposure wouldn't normally result from such a problem... just brainstorming)? Is there a problem on the processing end? Did you add a filter in between taking the Polaroid shot and taking the Fujichrome shot?

[Tim Curry]

Peter, Try this. Use asa 100 on your meter. Meter from a gray card with the sun at your back. Focus on a scene at infinity with the sun at your back and take the picture. If this doesn't work, you have a bad meter. You should be somewhere around f11 at 1/125.

[Jim Galli]

FWIW try taking a Nikon 35 along and exposing your 4X5 film exactly the same as what the Nikon averages. Also "listen" to the Nikon at 1/4 second several times and then your lf lens at 1/4 second to see if the time lapse is identical to your ear. You could have shutter problems. Your ear can tell you a lot at 1/4 and 1/2 second. Trust it.

[Ted Harris]

One additional thought Peter,



If you are using a good quality commercial professional lab then they are likely to be interested in helping solve the problem too. If you have not done so, take your chromes and polaroids into the lab and explain the problem. See what they can contribute.

[Peter_3936]

Brian I did not use any filters at all ......Tim I shot at the exposure that you suggested and at f8 and f5.6 if anything I should have gotten overexposed film not underexposed. Another thing that's peculiar about these results is that chromes have a kind of reddish monochrome look to them?!

[steve simmons]

Brian I did not use any filters at all ......Tim I shot at the exposure that you suggested and at f8 and f5.6 if anything I should have gotten overexposed film not underexposed. Another thing that's peculiar about these results is that chromes have a kind of reddish monochrome look to them?!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am willing to bet you have the film loaded backwards and the light sensitive material is being exposed through the back of the film. That would account for the reddish cast and the constant underexposure.

steve simmons view camera magazine www.viewcamera.com

[Darin Cozine]

I think Steves got the right idea. He is a genius.

My suggestion was to double-check that your polaroids were the same ISO as the slide film. Another possibility is that the film tself had degraded in some way, either with time or heat.

[Peter_3936]

I load the film with the notches held at the top right hand corner, inserting the smooth opposite end first. The expiration date on the film box is 2004-9. I will try a different processing lab.....and maybe a new film. Thanks everyone

[Darin Cozine]

When you figure out what the problem is, let us know so others can quickly find answers.

Thanks

[David Richhart]

Peter... when you say you load the film with the notch in the top right corner do you have the film holder's open flap at the top, or do you have the open flap at your right-hand side? IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

As Steve pointed out, having the film in emulsion down is consistent with your results.

[Tom_3925]

There's a good description of loading film into darkslides here (http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm)

[David Hempenstall]

you've loaded the film backwards.

you're description is absolutely dead on for what film shot through the base looks like.

let us all know....

[Alec Jones]

Dave said: "...do you have the film holder's open flap at the top, or do you have the open flap at your right-hand side? IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!"

Wait a minute. Now THAT doesn't make sense. Just look at the site Tom added. Clearly, that holder is being loaded with the holder flap at the top. If you hold the film with your finger on the notches, then turn everything "horizontal", rather than "vertical" as in the illustration, the film will still be loaded correctly. You could not load the film held in a vertical position into a holder which is horizontal.

I'd like to hear more of your theory, Dave.

[Peter_3936]

OK guys I think the problem is solved, looking at Tom's photos I was loading the film incorrectly. For some reason I was placing/holding the film holder horizontally instead of vertically, Dave is right it does make a difference. As soon as I post this message I will load two more films this time correctly I hope :) and have them processed tomorrow......will let you all know what develops.

[Tim Curry]

Peter, please don't feel bad about making an honest mistake. I'm sure everyone here has a "few" stories about doing something which didn't exactly work out well. Welcome to the club! tim

[Peter_3936]

Hello everyone just got back from the photo lab with my 4x5 transparencies, and they look Fabulous!!! perfectly exposed films. (naturally when you load them correctly) I have never seen such richness of color and detail! This format will be a great aid to do some terrific paintings. What a great forum to get some help, thank you All for your help and responses. Tim I don't feel bad about my mistakes anymore....on the contrary I feel like I made a bunch of friends who are eager to help me out whenever I get myself into a jam....which probably won't be the last time. Thanks folks.

[David Richhart]

Hi Alec... I just want to answer your question, you may have to actually try it yourself for it to make sense

If you load the film holder with the flap opening away from you and the notches in the top right corner the film will be loaded correctly

If you load the film holder with the flap open on your right hand side and load the film with the notch in the top right corner the film is loaded incorrectly.

How do it know ???