April ~ What’s “New”
Some of you may remember my photos using the Minolta SR-T201 using Panatomic-X a couple years ago. I have shot with that camera off and on since 1976 with two lenses: 50mm f/1.7 and a 135mm f/3.5.
I recently picked up a Canon FTb and acquired a 50mm f/1.4 and a 28mm f/2.8.
Earlier this year I took both cameras out to various locations with the Minolta using TMax 400 and the Canon using Ektar 100 for a trial run. I am still waiting for the scans from the photo shop.
This month I am planning a road trip to Borrego Springs, CA and I thought I would try some long exposure star trails. Film has both advantages and disadvantages over digital photography. One of the advantages is the ability to take a single long exposure (30 minutes to 4 hours) in a single frame. This is not possible with a single frame digital but requires multiple (50 minimum - 200+ better) short exposures and blended. Film’s disadvantage is Reciprocity, meaning any time longer than one second actually longer than the metered time as film stops collecting light as easily. For example,
Film | Metered Exposure | Actual Exposure
Kodak Porta 160 | 6 seconds | 11 seconds
Ilford FP4+ | 6 seconds | 9.6 seconds
Kodak Tri-X 400 | 6 seconds | 15.8 seconds
As you can see star trails will need much longer times to collect.
With digital you would need lots of short exposures with the interval between shots as small as possible…to prevent spacing between shots to prevent a flashing beacon.
On this trip I will be shooting Black and White and Color. Depending upon available light I may be shooting exposures at 60 minutes minimum…. At 36 exposures would be a 36-hour night. Okay maybe over a few nights. Both cameras will be using their respective 50mm lens.
I will need to remember and bring a notepad to keep track of camera settings for each exposure.
Photo is from my Minolta using expired Panatomic-X (ISO 32)
"La Misión San José de Tumacácori" about 19 mile north of Nogales, Arizona
10 Comments
Good luck with the trip Dean. Hopefully the cloud cover will play nicely.
Nice! Have a great time. Looking forward to seeing what you come home with! Also hope you post the scans from your trial run as well.
Dean,, you know there's no rules against carrying a notebook while shooting digital! It's actually a good habit at all times:).
Have a grand adventure, and love your Tumacácori image!
Nay, that what the Voice Memo button is for on my digital camera...when I choose (remember) to use it.
What's next might as well include a cell phone in digital cameras. Did you hear Jared Polin comment on cell phones aboard Artemis II as accepting mediocrity.
I'll check it out. I like Jared's "Photo New Fix" episodes rather than watching how "Skittles" is the best Preset on the marker...especially after you change it with a bunch of slider adjustments.
Dean here the link for Jared's cellphone comment aboard Artemis 7:40 mins secs in
https://youtu.be/51WNE4Nb0J0?si=q44ReEdr-BoPsk6C
Later
Paul
Thank you. I spent about 15 minutes scrolling and various searching and couldn't find anything. Again, thanks
Dean go to the video link and advance to 7 minutes & 40 seconds or watch the whole thing Jared is as entertaining as usual.
Minolta SR-T201 (version 1)
Using a 50mm f1.7 and shooting Fujifilm Acros 100 II at "Fonts Point" near Borrego Springs, CA.
I just hope my shots come out okay.