I'm new to LF photography and have as yet been able to produce a properly expose d negative. I am shooting a new Tachihara 4x5 field camera with a Schneider Sym mar S 135mm 5.6 lens. My problem is that my negatives are underexposed by at le ast 2-4 stops. I am using the light meter in my Nikon FG to determine exposure. Exposures are fine using 35mm film with this camera. I'm shooting Ilford FP4 125 film. The bellows extension is about 5 1/4" (shooting landscapes), and I'm using no filters. Today I shot 4 images, on a relatively sunny day, at the foll owing exposures: 0 (= f/16 at f1/125), +1 stop, +2 stops, and +3 stops. The bes t shot was +3 (=f/16 at 1/15) and it was still underexposed by a stop! What am I doing wrong? Could the shutter be off? Or the apperature? Is it more likely something mechanical or am I missing the boat somewhere? My development is ok as my 35mm film comes out fine. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated! I f I have no success, look here for a good price on some 4x5 equipment!
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