Back in the summer, my
Film Photography Project pals were involved in testing out some odd films from the Svema factory (detailed on episode 152 of the FPP Podcast). One of the films was uniquely brown, whereas the rest were yellow, lavender, blue, etc. This unknown film became known as "Mr. Brown." It has an ISO of 6, and while a bit punchy, is a film for "normal" photography. As if anything can be normal when using a camera with such slow film in it! Those who have been following my blog know that I have been shooting slow films for quite a few years. I bought a few rolls of Mr. Brown from the FPP store, and finally loaded up my Nikon N90s, set the ISO to 6, and went off to Fleming Creek yesterday. I hoped to do some nice long exposures of the water while it was overcast.
Using a 50 mm 1.8 AF-D Nikkor, and an 80-200 mm AF-D Nikkor on the N90s, I shot a roll of Mr. Brown along Fleming Creek near Parker Mill. Exposures were at f/16 and f/11 in Aperture Priority mode, with the longest time at around 16 seconds, and many were in the 8-11 sec range. The mushrooms were shot at f/8.
After I got home, I developed Mr. Brown in XTOL at 1:1 for 9 minutes at 20°C. I just finished scanning in the negatives on my Epson V700 photo scanner. To say I am impressed with the results would be an understatement! The film is on a very strong and thin mylar base, and lies beautifully flat in the scanner. No curling, cupping, or other problems. It scans beautifully. Based upon my results, I may be tempted to try a roll at ISO 12 under similar situations.
Long exposures of water without using a ND filter is a plus, and this film warrants more experimentation.
