I read contradicting informations on the actual speed of Fuji Neopan 1600: - Some claim it's a true 1600 asa film (not on this forum) - Others give values between 640 and 100 asa

Did anybody perform serious tests and know the real speed of this film (not just looking at curves, ...)?

Thanks,

Xavier

-- Xavier Colmant (xcolmant@powerir.com), September 10, 2001

Answers

Xavier;

I do not know about "Tests" but I've been shooting it for years with the numbers 1600 in my meter and the prints look great. I develop it in D-76: nothing exotic.

Everybody's tests could turn out differently, so that's my testing protocol. What does it say?: "these indices are to be considered the starting points for your own tests with your own equipment and techniques".

Cheers

Cheers

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

I agree with "these indices are to be considered the starting points ...". Simply it's much easier and faster to use the 'real' speed as starting point...

-- Xavier Colmant (xcolmant@powerir.com), September 10, 2001.

I tested it with a densitometer using rodinal 1:50 and got that it gave the .1 density at EI 160. So I was a bit dissapointed at the slow speed. But the grain has a nice look...

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), September 10, 2001.

This is beautiful film, but exposing at EI=1600 and developing in Rodinal or TMax gives empty shadows. Doubling the EI to 800 doesn't seem to increase the grain or block out the highlights while giving a real increase in shadow detail. Probably another 1/3 stop increase to EI=640 would be about right in D-76.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), September 10, 2001.

Thanks Russel, but I'm surprised also at your EI 160. It seems pretty low, even with Rodinal... Thanks also Bill. EI 640 is also the number given in the 'Darkroom cookbook' where D-76 was also probably used to come with this number. In short, I'm disappointed by the speed of this film. Basically I was looking for a traditional film faster than 400 asa. I love TRI-X pushed in D-76, but it does not work well with all subjects... Anyway I will give Neopan 1600 at 640 a try and see what I get. Again, thanks for the feedback to all.

-- Xavier Colmant (xcolmant@powerir.com), September 11, 2001.

I'm sure this will be considered Heresy, but you might consider TMax3200 exposed at EI=1000 and developed in Microdol-X @ 1:3. Fantastic latitude, exquisite shadow detail, and less grain than Tri- X at 400 in D-76.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), September 11, 2001.

Another way to go is shoot TMAX, TMAX-CN or Ilford XP2 Super and under-expose by one stop--giving an ISO of 800.

-- Robert Gordon (rgordon@sienahts.edu), September 24, 2001.

actually i went back and looked at my results for neopan 1600 and i found the .1 over fb+f was for EI 125!! but highlights were all burnt out... in the meantime i am looking at TMZ around EI 800 in emofin for around 7 to 8 minutes if i want full tonality.

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), September 25, 2001.