Extreme Film Pushing - You are invited to have a go!

At Filmdevelopment, I constantly find ways to improve your film photography experience. My research has churned out some really exciting discoveries about film - that four stop pushes are possible.

I recently shot two rolls of film at very high speeds, in excess of ISO5000. The results that came back are astounding, as much as they are interesting. The contrast is extremely high, and that in order to make a good picture out of film shot at such speed, exposure must be spot-on, or else, with the increase in contrast, your dynamic range tends to shorten, and this will accentuate the underexposure or overexposure.

I've shot Delta 3200 at ISO12500, and Ilford Pan 400 at ISO5000. They were not developed by the standard developer, I used something more powerful (and more expensive). Grain went up the roof with Delta 3200 at 12500, but with the Pan 400 shot at 5000, it wasn't that bad, surprisingly. Pretty good if you are a fan of grain.

Samples:

Pan 400 at 5000:

Ilford Pan 400 at 5000, EOS5. This shot was lit by concert lights, and as a result looked quite good. The lights put the guitarist into the highlights area, which accounts for him looking quite acceptable.

Ilford Pan 400 at 5000, EOS5. This picture really shows how contrast has been pushed through the roof. You can see that the person's face is completely dark in relation to the brightly lit floor.

Ilford Pan 400 at 5000, EOS5

Orchard Road Avant Garde. Ilford Pan 400 at 5000, EOS5. I like this shot a lot! Even though there's a light leak at the corner. If you didn't notice it, beware, that's one of the major problems with such high speed pushing.

Ilford Pan 400 at 5000, EOS5

Delta 3200 at 12500:

Ilford Delta 3200 at 12500, EOS5. Another shot that shows how dark you can shoot in with these speeds. I was in fact using a 90mm, so handholding would not be an easy feat, if I had used slower speed film.

Ilford Delta 3200 at 12500, EOS5. Somehow the dresses' tones came out wonderfully.

Ilford Delta 3200 at 12500, EOS5. This shot can show you how much shadow detail is compromised as a result of going so fast. The shirt of this guitarist is completely void of detail.

Ilford Delta 3200 at 12500, EOS5. I'm impressed!

Ilford Delta 3200 at 12500, EOS5. Check out the grain!

Ilford Delta 3200 at 12500, EOS5. Grain!!!

If you're interested in getting your film pushed at such speeds, contact me. Currently, I'll set the price for such push development at $7, due to the risk of developing such film, and the need for a higher priced developer.