Ilford XP2 400 Super & Adonal (Rodinal)

Some time ago, stimulated by certain images seen on the net, I wanted to try the Ilford XP2 Super 400 film. This stems from the XP1, which appeared in the early ’80s to make more widespread treatment of b/w and to provide less grain than other films of these times (which often had too much of it). I must have somewhere a series of negatives taken with the XP1 ….. The XP2 must be developed by the classic C-41, used routinely for color films. This could have been a major point in its favor, at least until the advent of the digital era.

Printing Time! Adox CMS 20 in Ars Imago Fd

As described in the second post of this blog, I recently made an “hazardous” test with a film (Adox CMS 20) rather difficult to treat, even with its dedicated developer. The test was done at box speed (ISO 20) and as developer, I used the Ars Imago-Fd. The negatives were rather “hard” and contrasted, though (at least when scanning) image data seemed well present in the shadows as in the highlights. But, the ultimate goal of an image shot on film is undoubtedly the wet print in the darkroom. Only on the final print we can make a judgment that has a real sense and evaluate details such as definition, grain, and so on.

More Infrared Experiments Rollei IR 400 in Ars-Imago Fd

As you can see, the experiments with infrared (IR) continue. As mentioned in the previous post, during the last photographic trip, besides the Ilford SFX 200, I shot a roll of Rollei IR 400, with the aim of developing it in new  Ars-Imago Fd. A couple of days ago, I had enough time to do it and as first thing I had to find a starting time for development, given that it was a “first time” and there were no data about in the data-sheet.

Infrared – Another Test

After the first (successful) attempt with infrared photography (IR), I immediately wanted to try it again and so, taking advantage of a beautiful sunny day, I shot other two rolls with my “usual” Rolleiflex. The first, a Rollei IR 400 again, I have yet to develop. As a second, this time I used the Ilford sfx 200, to assess any differences in performance with the previous one.

Leica R5 – But she wasn’t mine

Who knows why, for some reason, every time I used a Leica, was never mine? The first time, an M7 with Summicron 35mm, I was entrusted by the magazine which I collaborate with (Fotografia Reflex), the second time, a D-Lux 6 (Digital), directly from the Leica factory itself. You can see some of the results on the Leica official blog. This time, I had the opportunity to test one R5 with the Vario-Elmar zoom 35-70mm f/3.5, thanks to a friend who had just bought it. Basically, I’m doing the beta-tester for him! Sooner or later … I’ll have to decide to get one of my own … 😉

Infrared: the amazing invisible realm

When we venture into the mysterious field of infrared photography (IR), we enter the realm of the unknown, or rather of the invisible. The human eye, in fact, is not able to perceive the luminous radiation of infrared above 750 nm. And it is beyond this threshold that infrared radiation vibrate. What is therefore beyond the insuperable limit of the visible? Since the 30s of last century, the photographic technology allowed us to find it out, creating emulsions with appropriate sensitizing elements to these frequencies.