I recently shot some landscapes on XP2 for the first time. I'm having problems getting the negatives to print with high-contrast filters on variable contrast paper. In particular, I have a picture of a mountain cut-through with many layers of light and dark rock revealed on XP2 Super and a shot of a striated rock on regular XP2. I wanted to print both with high contrast, but even the grade 5 filter doesn't seem to raise the contrast above an apparent grade 3. I've tried printing these on Multigrade FB, Multigrade Warmtone and Forte Polycontrast Warmtone Plus without much luck. Is this an inherent problem with this type of film? Has anyone got any suggestions? Thanks.

-- Jeff Damron (damronj@webtv.net), March 13, 1999

Answers

Try a high contrast graded paper and see if it makes a difference. If not, the problem may be with the neg.

-- James D. Steele (jdsteele@erols.com), April 05, 1999.

1. XP2 is variable in speed but actually about 400 ASA. If you 'overexpose', e.g. at 160 ASA, or 'underexpose', e.g 800 ASA this will result in remarkable difference in contrast between the two exposures.

2. Is the color of your negatives neutral grey or greenish?

-- Lot (lotw@wxs.nl), April 06, 1999.

The 'overexposed' negatives should be softer, the 'underexposed' ones harder, if I'm not mistaken.

-- Lot (lotw@wxs.nl), April 06, 1999.

try shooting your xp at 200.

-- gil garcia (gil-garcia@worldnet.att.net), July 18, 1999.

Underexposed negatives can "per definition" not be printed to D-max (because the print would become too dark) and by reducing the exposure time under the enlarger you will have to face a more flat, grayish, print. My experience with Ilford XP2-super is that it is not a true ISO400, closer to ISO200 than ISO320 actually.

-- Peter Olsson (peter.olsson@lulebo.se), July 19, 1999.