If I rate ISO 100 film at ISO 400 but overexpose by 2 stops, should I still push-process it?
Asked 12/13/2015
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I’m shooting ISO 100 film. If I set the camera/meter to ISO 400, that would normally mean underexposing by 2 stops and then push-processing in development. But if I also intentionally overexpose by 2 stops when shooting, does that cancel out the push? In that case, should I just develop the film normally instead of pushing it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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Your question is pretty much semantics. "Pushing" ISO 100 film to ISO 400 means you underexpose by two stops when shooting the film and then "push" the development to compensate. Although not many people actually refer to it as such, when you "push" film in development it is because you "pulled" the exposure when shooting the film. Most people just say they "pushed" the film.
In the case of your example, this would usually mean you put ISO 100 film in your camera, set your meter for ISO 400, and then use the recommended values of the meter set at ISO 400. This would result in the ISO 100 film being underexposed by two stops.
But if, as stated in your question, you increase the recommended exposure of the meter set at ISO 400 by two stops you are then exposing exactly the same as if the meter were set to ISO 100 to begin with! So you haven't really pushed anything when exposing the film. You've shot your film at proper exposure for ISO 100.
The thing one must understand is that changing the ISO setting on a film camera does nothing to affect the sensitivity of the actual film, it only affects the calibration of the camera's light meter to account for what you are telling it is more sensitive or less sensitive film.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
10y ago
0
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Yes. In your example, the exposure change and the push rating cancel each other out.
Rating ISO 100 film at ISO 400 normally means giving the film 2 stops less exposure, then extending development to compensate. But if you then add 2 stops of exposure at the camera, you’re effectively exposing the ISO 100 film at its normal speed again.
So the film should generally be developed normally, not push-processed.
In simple terms:
- ISO 100 film rated at 400 = 2 stops underexposed
- Add 2 stops of exposure when shooting = back to normal exposure
- Result: normal development is appropriate
A practical note: negative film has a fair amount of latitude, so small exposure errors are often still printable/scannable. But push processing is specifically used to compensate for underexposure, not overexposure. If you gave the film normal exposure overall, there’s nothing to compensate for in development.
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