AboutMalcolm Dickinson Expertise Questions about 35mm and medium format cameras, questions about developing B&W film; and questions about making B&W prints.
Experience I've been an avid photographer since 1981 and took a lot of B&W photography classes in college. I've done a lot of medium format work and have always developed & printed my own pictures.
Publications I had several photos published in college magazines and one photograph included in a juried exhibition.
Question If I am shooting 100 speed B&W Kodak T-Max film in my Nikon N80 and wish to darken my shots on sunny days,is it okay to lower my light meter setting when not on Priority. I take a lot of shots but sunny days are a bitch for me and would love to get better in B&W by manipulating my camera settings. I usually shot with a red or lime filter, but want to learn more.
Thanks
Answer Edward,
In order to darken your shots you can do one of three things.
1. If your camera has a manual ASA setting, you can set it at a lower ASA. That is, if you are using 100 ASA film, and you tell the camera you are using 200 or 400 speed film, then the shot will be underexposed by 1 stop or 2 stops respectively.
2. If your camera does not have a manual ASA setting, and gets the ASA information from the code printed on the film canister, then it probably has a manual adjustment setting, where you can set it to underexpose by 1/2, 1, or 2 stops.
3. You can take the shutter speed control off priority, and set both shutter speed and aperture manually. Simply close the aperture one or two stops smaller than the light meter recommends.
I am not familiar with the effects of a red or lime filter. I recommend taking all your B&W pictures without any filter, for best quality.
