Photography question

[Anubis]

Hey just a quick question. I?ve taken night shots with my digi cam. Using slow shutter speeds. 5+ seconds. They have come out good. I want to do it with a regular film camera. And im wondering if I keep the settings the same will the pics come out looking the same?

Meaning if I use a shutter speed of 5 seconds with an ISO setting of 400 on my digi cam will the image produced with a film camera using the same shutter speed and ISO 400 B&W film be the same?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Not exactly. Film suffers from something called reciprocity failure. Without getting technical, it means film becomes less sensitive to light as the time of exposure increases. The solution is to either open the lens a half additional stop, or give 7 to 10 seconds of exposure. Will it then look the same? Well not exactly. Film has a greater latitude. It can record more detail in shadow and highlights than an imaging device. Should be pretty close though.

 

[KenGr]

Yes, but...

The ASA equivalent of digital cameras is set to match exposure settings with film cameras so you can use the digital camera manually with a light meter, so the readings are equivalent. However, exposure has three compenents, ASA, shutter speed and aperture (f/stop). You didn't mention the f/stop. You will have to match that also.

 

[Anubis]

I realize the way film captures an image is diff. and wont be exactly the same. Just wanted to know if it would be a good starting point. Which it seems it will be.


Now I just gotta wait a couple hours for the dark. Ive got 2 cameras loaded up and a tripod all ready

 

[Anubis]

i know how it all works. f, ap, shutter. F-stop isnt as important at night as shutter speed is so thats wht i left it out

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Anubis
I realize the way film captures an image is diff. and wont be exactly the same. Just wanted to know if it would be a good starting point. Which it seems it will be.


Now I just gotta wait a couple hours for the dark. Ive got 2 cameras loaded up and a tripod all ready

What're you going to be taking pictures of?

 

[Anubis]

some extended exposures of the night skyline from atop buildings and other stuff like that. also gonna take some of the roads / highways and get thoes cool light streaks.

and anything else i see thats cool while im out