Response to Alternative to Xtol

Dear Russell, you can influence speed with different developers and developing to different contrast levels, but according to my experience in testing the influce is minimal, certainly far below what you would expect or what the manufactuer may say. Even Tetenal Emofin, which I like particularly, has its limitations and I never get close to the stated speed gains of 3-6 DIN. You are right about very high speed films: The true speed often is far, far below what the manufacuter states. The sacrifice of shadow detail is obviously built into the "system". I can only urge every serious photographer to find out HIS effective speed himself by running the standard tests with controlled underexposure. These test will take the whole system into account: Shutter, exposure meter, lens etc.

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