Hey everyone!
So, I recently ventured into the world of ultra-fine grain black and white photography with my Leica, and I decided to try out Adox HR-50 film. I'd heard so much about its sharpness and the beautiful tonality it can produce, especially in bright conditions. I was super excited to see what it could do, but honestly, my first roll wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for. And guys, I'm here to share my experience, show you some of the shots, and maybe get some feedback from you seasoned pros out there!
My Initial Thoughts and Expectations
Before diving into the specifics, let me tell you a bit about what I was expecting. I’ve been shooting film for a while now, mainly with ISO 400 films like Kodak Tri-X and Ilford HP5, which are fantastic for general use and lower light situations. But I wanted to try something different, something that would really shine in bright, sunny conditions. Adox HR-50 seemed like the perfect candidate. I read countless reviews praising its incredibly fine grain, high resolution, and the smooth, almost luminous quality it gives to images. I envisioned crisp, detailed landscapes, portraits with amazing skin texture, and just an overall sense of clarity that I hadn't achieved with faster films.
I was particularly drawn to the idea of using it with my Leica. The Leica lenses are known for their sharpness, and I thought the combination of a sharp lens and a slow, fine-grained film would be a match made in heaven. I loaded up a roll, grabbed my light meter, and headed out on a bright, sunny afternoon, eager to capture some stunning images. I carefully metered each shot, making sure to expose correctly for the low ISO. I even bracketed a few shots, just to be safe. I was so meticulous, guys, because I really wanted to nail it.
However, when I got the negatives back from the lab, I was a little disappointed. The images weren’t bad, per se, but they weren’t the mind-blowing results I had anticipated. They seemed a bit flat, lacking the contrast and punch I was hoping for. The shadows were a bit muddy, and the highlights didn't have that crispness I'd seen in other photographers' work with HR-50. I started to wonder if I had done something wrong.
The Specific Issues I Encountered
Let’s break down the specific issues I ran into. One of the main problems was the contrast. The images seemed to lack that strong separation between highlights and shadows, which is something I really appreciate in black and white photography. The midtones felt a bit dominant, resulting in a somewhat muted look. I'm used to films that give a bit more bite, a bit more drama, and HR-50 just wasn't delivering that for me, at least not in this first roll.
Another thing I noticed was that the shadows seemed a bit blocked up. Even in scenes with plenty of light, the darker areas of the image lacked detail. This could be a development issue, or it could be related to my metering, but it was definitely something I observed consistently across the roll. I’m not sure if I underexposed slightly, or if the film just has a tendency to block up in the shadows, but it’s something I’ll need to investigate further.
Then there's the grain. Now, I know HR-50 is supposed to be incredibly fine-grained, and in some areas, it definitely is. But in certain parts of the images, particularly in areas of smooth tone like skies or walls, I noticed a slight muddiness or lack of sharpness. It wasn't what I would call grain in the traditional sense, but more like a slight lack of clarity or definition. This was surprising, as I was expecting the film to be razor-sharp throughout the entire image.
I also struggled a bit with the latitude of the film. With faster films, I often have a bit of leeway to over or underexpose, and the film will still deliver a usable image. But with HR-50, it seemed like I had to be much more precise with my metering. Even a slight error in exposure seemed to have a noticeable impact on the final result. This isn't necessarily a bad thing – it encourages careful metering and a more deliberate approach to shooting – but it definitely adds a level of complexity, guys.
Examples and Observations
To give you a clearer picture, let me describe a few specific shots. I took some photos of a local park, with trees, benches, and a small pond. In these images, the leaves on the trees look a bit flat and lack texture. The shadows under the benches are quite dark, and the water in the pond doesn't have that sparkling quality I was hoping for. The overall impression is just a bit…meh.
I also shot some portraits of a friend in open shade. These were probably the most successful images from the roll, but even they weren't quite what I had envisioned. The skin tones are smooth, but they lack a certain vibrancy. The eyes don't pop as much as I would like, and the overall impression is a bit soft. I think this film might work well for portraits with the right lighting and development, but it’s going to require some experimentation.
I even tried some architectural shots, hoping to capture the sharp lines and intricate details of some old buildings in my neighborhood. But again, the results were a bit underwhelming. The buildings look a bit flat, and the fine details don't stand out as much as I would have liked. I think this film might struggle a bit with high-contrast scenes, or scenes with a lot of fine detail. I really thought that pairing HR-50 with my Leica lenses, known for their sharpness, would yield spectacular results, but that wasn’t quite the case this time.
Possible Causes and Troubleshooting
So, what went wrong? Well, there are a few possibilities. One, as I mentioned earlier, is my metering. I use a handheld light meter, and I try to be as accurate as possible, but it’s always possible that I made a mistake. Maybe I underexposed the film slightly, which could explain the blocked-up shadows. Or perhaps I didn't account for the dynamic range of the scene properly, leading to the lack of contrast.
Another possibility is the development. I sent the film to a reputable lab, but it’s always possible that there was an issue with the development process. Maybe the developer was a bit tired, or the development time wasn't quite right. I’m not sure exactly what developer they use, but it’s something I could look into.
It’s also possible that the film itself is just not the right fit for my style of shooting. Maybe I prefer films with a bit more contrast and bite, or maybe I need to adjust my expectations for what a slow, fine-grained film can deliver. I went in expecting the film to perform a certain way based on my research, but it’s entirely possible that those expectations were a bit too high. Film is a very subjective thing, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Of course, the lens could be a factor, but I doubt it. I used my trusty Leica lenses, which are known for their sharpness and clarity. I’ve gotten fantastic results with these lenses on other films, so I don’t think the lens is the weak link in this chain. However, it’s always something to consider. Maybe the combination of HR-50 and my particular lenses just isn’t a perfect match.
Seeking Your Feedback and Advice
This is where you guys come in! I’m really curious to hear your experiences with Adox HR-50, or similar slow films. Have you encountered similar issues? Do you have any tips or tricks for getting the most out of this film? Are there any particular developers or development techniques that you would recommend? Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who have shot HR-50 with Leica cameras or lenses. Did you find that the combination worked well for you? What kind of results did you achieve? What were your exposure settings and development parameters?
I’m also open to suggestions for other slow films that I might want to try. Are there any other ISO 50 or ISO 100 films that you would recommend for landscapes, portraits, or architectural photography? I’m always eager to experiment and try new things.
I’m not giving up on HR-50 just yet. I think there’s potential there, but I need to figure out how to unlock it. I’m willing to try different metering techniques, different development methods, and even different subjects. But before I shoot another roll, I wanted to get your input and see if I could learn from your experiences.
Next Steps and Future Experiments
So, my next steps are to do a bit more research, gather some feedback from you all, and then try shooting another roll of HR-50. This time, I think I’ll focus on a specific subject or lighting situation, maybe a sunny day with strong shadows. I’ll also try to be even more meticulous with my metering, and maybe bracket my shots a bit more aggressively. I will probably send the next roll to a different lab and see if the results are different.
I’m also considering trying a different developer. I’ve heard that some developers can enhance the contrast of HR-50, which might help with the flatness I experienced in my first roll. I’ll need to do some research and see what options are available. I'm thinking about trying a developer specifically designed for high-resolution films, or maybe even a contrast-enhancing developer. It’s all about experimentation, right?
I’m also thinking about trying HR-50 in a different camera. Maybe my Leica isn’t the ideal match for this film. I have a few other film cameras that I could try, including a medium format camera. Shooting HR-50 in medium format might give me even finer grain and more detail, but it would also require even more precise metering and a slower shooting pace.
Ultimately, I want to figure out how to get the best possible results from this film. I believe it has the potential to produce stunning images, but it’s going to take some effort and experimentation. I’m committed to the process, and I’m excited to see what I can achieve. And guys, I really appreciate any help or guidance you can offer along the way!
Conclusion
My first experience with Adox HR-50 wasn't quite the home run I was expecting. The images lacked the contrast and punch I was hoping for, and I encountered some issues with blocked-up shadows and a slight lack of clarity in certain areas. However, I’m not giving up on this film just yet. I believe it has potential, and I’m eager to experiment and learn how to get the best results. I’m also incredibly grateful for the film photography community, and I appreciate any feedback and advice you can offer. Have you shot with HR-50? What were your experiences? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading, and happy shooting!