Ilford FP4 Plus 125 film

 

About 12 months ago, I bought a set of Cokin Filters - the Black and White Creative Kit.  It consisted of a yellow, orange, red and green filters.

I have only got around to using the Red and Yellow thus far.  

I chose an Ilford FP4 Plus 125 B&W film to use the filters with.  This Ilford film is toted as being finely grained but, with some of the photos from this film, the grain was heavier.  I attribute that to using an expired film.  Anyway, it was a good learning experience!

For the photos taken with the Red Filter, the sky is a little darker and the photos more contrasty.  There were not any big fluffy clouds floating around, rather the day was light cloud cover and hazy in the distance.  I prefer the results from the Yellow Filter on this particular day.  For a few photos, there is a light band similar to a light leak on the final scans.  It shows up in those photos I have used the filters on and I think that it is a result of light reflecting off the camera or entering at the side where there is a slight gap between the lens and the filter as it sits in the Cokin frame.  I do have a round sponge like gasket that is meant to fit in this spot but, it is not a tight fit and has slipped out on occasion when using the Neutral Density filter so, I did not use it this time.

The camera I shot with is a Minolta XD7 using a Minolta MD 28-70 zoom f3.5-4.8.  The lens is a little soft on the focus.

The exposure meter on this camera is still functional.  I set the camera for Aperture Priority at f8 and later at f11.  I was able to see how the use of the different filters changed the shutter speed.  The changes in the shutter speed would indicate approximately how many stops the red and yellow filter would affect the amount of light coming into the lens.

A red filter requires a 2-3 stop exposure compensation by winding down the aperture or slowing the shutter speed.  This compensation is required because the red filter is not letting in as much light.  Same for a yellow which filter requires a 1-2 stop exposure compensation.  If you have a look at the notes for the photos, I have included the settings for the particular photo and you can see how the filters have affected this.

I only used the filters on about 6 photos.  The rest are filter free. I think for my next filter trial, I need to use a film that is within it's use by date and pick a day when there are big fluffy white clouds in the sky or maybe, go into the CBD and shoot some streets and buildings to see more of an effect

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Above taken at f8 1/500 - no filter, the Sun just out of shot on the 

right hand top corner. See that lighter patch running down from

top to the horizon on the left. It was a very hazy day.

.

Below taken at f8 1/125 with red filter.  The sky has darkened 

and there is slightly more contrast in the grassy area in 

front and the buildings in the distance. There is also more definition 

in the sandy area.

Below - taken at f11 1/60 with yellow filter.  You can see the 

difference.  The overall tones are lighter and warmer.

Above - I turned the camera 45° to the right with the yellow

filter still attached. The Sun is not shining down onto the 

filter and lens. There is a little more contrast in the shadows.

Above - The Sun is just out of shot to the left and it has blown out the 

exposure a little.  Yellow Filter f8 1/1000.

Below - same angle as above but, with Red Filter.  f8 at 1/250.  Note

the sky has darkened and the photo is much more contrasty. There is

that light streak on the left again.  Much more noticeable in this shot.

The rest are taken without filters.

Morpeth, NSW

Morpeth NSW

Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie, NSW

Kirra Beach, QLD

Kirra Beach, QLD

Kirra Beach, QLD

Shop display - Morpeth, NSW

My wife Kim - Morpeth, NSW