Why do some of my 400-speed black-and-white film scans look grainy and soft?
Asked 6/1/2021
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I’m getting very grainy, low-definition results on some recent black-and-white film scans. The issue shows up across a few rolls, and when I zoom in even slightly the image looks soft and undefined. I’m using the same camera and the same lab, but different films: previously I had acceptable results with Tri-X 400 and Lomography 400, while more recent rolls of Delta 400 and HP5 400 look much rougher. I also used a yellow filter on the newer rolls and wondered whether underexposure or filter compensation could be part of it. What factors most commonly cause this kind of grainy/soft result with film?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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Kodak TriX is known for distinctive and traditional grain structure. Ilford Delta films are T grained. Lomography films are known for...well the fun is in the surprise.
Consistent results with film come from consistent film selection, metering, scene conditions, filter selection, developer, processing times, and scanning.
You have inconsistent results because there is no consistency except the choice of lab. And there are zero guarantees that the lab work is consistent. Many labs are not.
These are the joys of film.
Originally by user95237. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user95237
5y ago
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The most likely reason is variation in the overall film workflow rather than one single fault. Different black-and-white films have different grain structures and rendering: Tri-X, Delta, HP5, and Lomography films will not all scan or look the same. On top of that, film results depend on keeping many variables consistent: film choice, metering, scene conditions, filters, developer, processing times, and scanning. If several of those changed between rolls, it’s normal to see different grain and sharpness.
A yellow filter can affect exposure, but with TTL metering it should usually be accounted for; the bigger issue is that changing film stocks and relying on lab processing/scanning can produce noticeable differences. Also, using the same lab does not guarantee identical results every time—lab processing and scans may not be fully consistent.
If you want more predictable results, keep the film stock, exposure method, filter use, processing, and scanning as consistent as possible for several rolls, then compare.
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