alex_tudor Posted August 22, 2003 Share Posted August 22, 2003 From my last post (thanks Eric for your help), from reading, and from testst I've done, I've decided to switch to Fuji NPZ from Kodak 400UC since I use a Frontier lab. I've rated NPZ at 640/500/400 and it looks better printed and scanned than 400UC, especially with strong colors - as Scott mentioned before. Since I don't know much about papers, I asked my lab what they use and what they can use. All the use is Fuji Crystal Archive Paper Type One. This I assume is the amateur paper? Now I looked on Fuji's site and here and see that the "better" paper is Type C, but I don't have that option. So seeing that I'll be printing NPZ on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper Type One, what rating is best now? I don't know how contrasty this paper is and if I rate NPZ at 400 for a nice dense negative, will the paper make it too contrasty? Would it then be better to rate it at 500 or 640? What is your opinion? I want to settle down on one rating and move on :) I have found the film I like and I know the paper my lab uses. Now I just need to match the rating with the paper. And I don't know how contrasty or not Type One is. Much thanks, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_tudor Posted August 22, 2003 Author Share Posted August 22, 2003 I should add that I can look at my 4x6 proofs, but with all sorts of corrections going on I can't determine what is what. How WOULD I in the most scientific manner go about finding out? Contact sheets? Too small to judge no? Each day I learn so much reading and then realize I know so little on the developing/printing side of photography. And this is just as important, as photography itself. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_eaton Posted August 22, 2003 Share Posted August 22, 2003 Use the combination that works the best, and use a lab that does the best job. It won't do you any good to obsess over paper type with a Frontier because it' doesn't matter much. As long as it's Crystal Archive you should have no problems. Shooting NPZ at 400 will only cause a problem if the scene has a lot of contrast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_tudor Posted August 22, 2003 Author Share Posted August 22, 2003 Thanks Scott. I'll rate it at 500 if it's too contrasty a scene. I assume the Frontier with any paper will be the same - is that what you mean? Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_tudor Posted August 22, 2003 Author Share Posted August 22, 2003 Scott, For a wedding with flash or without you think 400 would be too much? Even 500? I'm going to be shooting one soon, but can't "practice" a wedding. So far everyone seems to rate it at 640 for weddings, but that may be too flat and grainy. Knowing my above situation, would it be best rated higher than 400? The lighting will be flat mostly - the contrast being the white dress and the black tux. But I was thinking that contrast was more to do with contrasty LIGHTING situations. Thanks, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_andrews Posted August 23, 2003 Share Posted August 23, 2003 Alex, I've had a similar combination from my lab here, and the Crystal Archive Paper Type One will get very good results, IF your lab uses it according to Fuji's guidelines. Try it out and see if you like it. For NPZ, I would suggest shooting a roll rated at 320 to see what you think. I found that at 400 it lacked saturation, and if it was underexposed I got too much grain. That may be the way my lab's printer interprets the negative, but at 320 my results were consistently better for my tastes. Best of luck, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_watson Posted August 23, 2003 Share Posted August 23, 2003 Any chance you're thinking of NPH, Dan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_eaton Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 I don't why you aren't using NPH at EI 320 either. NPZ on a Frontier is good, but NPH is usually breath taking. NPZ has more snap though. As long as you aren't prone to over-exposing 400 should work fine. Like everybody else I shoot it at EI 640, but your camera meter might be a bit lean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_tudor Posted August 25, 2003 Author Share Posted August 25, 2003 Scott, My camera's meter underexposes but what it looks like 1/3. So I always rate my film lower to compensate. NPH@320 for me would really mean 250 then. I haven't gone that low since I need the speed, but I'll give it a "shot". I just shot some NPZ@400 and will see the results this week. I'll try NPH@250 to see if I really like it. I would have to LOVE it, to accept the 250 speed. Otherwise I just use REALA@80. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_tudor Posted August 25, 2003 Author Share Posted August 25, 2003 I should then also mention that with my meter being off by 1/3, NPZ@400 is really NPZ@500. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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