Any comments regarding XP-2 in the Minox? I've had good luck with this film in classic 35s with iffy shutter speeds.

In particular, what EI range works well? Will an EI of 50 give good results, or are you limited to the "normal" EI 100 through EI 400 range?

-- Ken Ford (kford@Ameritech.net), March 05, 2000

Answers

Ilford XP2 Super is a GREAT film. You can use it anywhere from 50-800 with fantastic results. The best part about it is that you can shoot at all of these speed on the same roll without any developing compensation. This means that you can shoot on shot at 800 and the next at 50 and both prints will come out just fine. I strongly suggest you stay as low as possible, as this will allow the best grain, but by all means bump up the speed when you are in a dark situation. Good Luck!

-- George Maltezos (gmm25@columbia.edu), March 05, 2000.

Ken:

I have a follow-up question. I use XP2 Super often. But I simply set my ASA to 400 in a camera with a meter, or calculate exposure roughly, on the basis that this is 400 ASA film. I'm not even sure what "push processing" is - but I assume that it involves shooting, say, a 400 ASA film as if it is rated at 1600 ASA and then processing the film differently. But I think you are saying that in a sense the XP2 Super film "doesn't care" what the ASA setting is and will give good results regardless. Is that right? Are you saying that I can shoot AS IF the film is 50 ASA or 800 ASA, set the dial accordingly, and then process the film in the normal way? (I've got a roll of XP2 in my Kiev 35A copy of a Minox35. Can I just turn the ASA dial up or down, shot after shot, depending on conditions, and see what happens?)

-- Daniel Iggers (iggers@hotmail.com), March 30, 2000.

Oops - I meant to "address" the last post to George.

-- Daniel Iggers (iggers@hotmail.com), March 30, 2000.

Dan -

I'll contribute an answer anyway - I have been using XP-2 for quite some time in 35mm.

XP-2 has very broad tolerance to exposure - I have had spectacular luck in 35mm with EI 100 thru 400, and very good results (thinner negs) out to EI 1600. My concern with this emulsion in the Minox was that of enlargment - I've never tried to take my 35mm XP-2 negs beyond 8x10.

The method you describe is fine - that's pretty much what I do. All should be printable - the negs exposed at a lower EI will be denser and less grainy, and will have a longer tonal scale. I don't even bother carrying a meter when shooting XP-2 - if my eye is off a stop or two, no problem.

I've found it to be the perfect solution for older cameras in need of shutter work, too!

I'll report back after I get some XP-2 Super back from my IIIs.

-- Ken Ford (kford@ameritech.net), March 30, 2000.

And perfect for Minox MX which has only one 1/100 shutter speed.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), March 30, 2000.