Can anyone suggest a good film/developer/paper combination for me? I particularly love the softness, or "harshlessness" (!) in the work of the Cartier-Bresson prints I saw at the London exhibitions last year. For the record, at the moment I'm using HP5 Plus and a Leica 50mm Elmar f2.8 from about the mid 50s.

Thanks for any help,

Neal Wilkinson.

-- Neal Wilkinson (mmmmmbakun@aol.com), October 26, 1999

Answers

Try using Saran-wrap over the projection lens or a light tan nylon pulled very tight over the taking lens. Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), October 26, 1999.

Give Tri-X in Xtol or D76 1:1 a try. Also try printing on Agfa MG Classic 111 fibre paper, under cold light, developed in Nuetol WA. I found this to be most pleasant for me, and I was after the same look I think you are speaking of.

-- Paul Klingaman (pklingaman@hotmail.com), October 27, 1999.

You might try a softer paper developer. Most people use Dektol, which is very harsh. I use Ektaflo Type 2, which has a much better tonal scale. Also, try a soft-working, compensating film developer. I have no real suggestions here. My two favorite film developers, PMK and Rodinal, are not really suitable for 35mm.

http://www.ravenvision.com/rvapeter.htm

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), October 29, 1999.