I overexposed some 4x5 HP5+ by a stop and need some insight on pulling it. I usually shoot 35mm from an EI of 320 to 400 and develop normally in xtol 1:1; I have found 320 a better rating lately in 35mm with the xtol. At 200 I'm up in the air. I'll probably dilute xtol 1:2 or 1:3 since the film is larger. My normal processing temp is 72 deg. I shot the film figuring an EI of 400 and overexposed it with an incorrect meter setting.

-- Wayne Crider (waynec@apt.net), September 24, 2001

Answers

Wayne: I don't know if I would be too concerned. I usually expose HP- 5 at 250 and develop normally for printing with a cold light head. You might knock a minute off the developing time, but unless there are some hot highlights I would just enjoy the increased shadow detail.

Regards,

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alaweb.com), September 24, 2001.

I agree with Doug - HP5 is fairly bulletproof as far as moderate overexposure goes. Plus, film speed isn't nearly as precise as we'd like to think, unless we're shooting an 18% gray card. Consider this - you're making a photo of a tree. You meter and get ready to expose, then reconsider. "I think I'd like the bark to be on Zone VI rather than V", you decide, and open up a stop. Bam! You just went from EI 320 to 160 (at least in relation to what the meter originally said).

As far as developing your film, I haven't used xtol but everything I've read says NOT to dilute it too much. Again, I'd take Doug's advice and use what normally works for you, maybe dropping a little off your normal time. (I find with HP5 that moderate changes in soup time don't affect the neg density much. I had to go from 8.5 min. to 10 min. [D-76 1:1] to get a change of maybe half a grade.)

Cheers!

-- Mark Parsons (Polar@thegrid.net), September 25, 2001.

Agreeing with the others although if it was a contrasty situation (bright sun and dark shadows) it wouldn't hurt if you pulled 15%. It will make your printing easier. Cheers

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), September 26, 2001.

Results are: At 1:2 in Xtol at 75 deg with 15% pull the negs are fine. Results are better with a 45 to 60 sec longer devlopment.

-- Wayne Crider (waynec@apt.net), October 01, 2001.