Kodak Imagelink HQ microfilm in Speedibrews Celer-Stellar

[iangreenhalgh1]

I've finally found a developer that gives a perfectly clear base with this film. Grain and sharpness are exceptional, the film is so sharp that the lens is revealed to be slightly less than razor sharp.

Sigma 3.5-4.5/21-35 on EOS 10qd. Celer-Stellar diluted 1:10, 60mins at 20C.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

[kds315*]

very nice tonality!

Is Celler-Stellar a bear of some sorts?

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers Klaus.

Celer-Stellar is a low contrast speed increasing developer made by a tiny company called Speedibrews. It was originally intended for astronomy applications, particularly with Tech Pan, which I guess is where the Stellar part of the name comes from.

[cooltouch]

They've certainly spared no expense with their website layout:

http://www.speedibrews.free-online.co.uk/

No expense at all! But I like it. They -- or more likely 'he', a fellow named Michael Maunder -- unfortunately do not do any mail order, not even within the UK. You have to visit their recommended sales outlet in London to buy their products.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Yes, Mr Maunder is an old gentleman, well past retiring age, but his products are top-notch.

Trying to find them now has become difficult, Silverprint seem not to stock them anymore and Process Supplies only have a few of them left. I tried to but the Speedibrews Microdol-X copy but Process Supplies don't list it anymore and haven't replied to my email.

I will have to buy up some Celer-Stellar while I still can as I have a feeling the Speedibrews products won't be available much longer.

http://www.processuk.net/SPEEDIBREWS/cat740598_659593.aspx

[Attila]

beer cool, interesting result still hesitate I like or not.

[kds315*]

embarassing, should have googled that first. Guess Stella-Artois was in my mind,
although I prefer (good) wines

[iangreenhalgh1]

It's all good, to err is human.

I'm not much of a drinker, but I am partial to some white beers like Hoegaarden and Leffe Blone.

[kds315*]

yes, err is human: Leffe Blonde although I prefer brunette(s) :LOL:

[iangreenhalgh1]

Leffe Brun is not bad, gets a little heavy

BTW Klaus, given the inability of this Sigma lens to produce really sharp results with microfilm, I'm wondering if you can suggest some lenses with higher resolution that aren't too expensive?

My Plustek scanner can do about 70 lp/mm so I think that is a reasonable target for the lens.

Of the lenses I have, I think the Micro-Nikkor 3.5/55 and Zenitar-M2S 2/50 are the sharpest. I have the added restriction of the lens having to be mountable on my EOS 10qd as it's the only camera I have that is able to use the unperforated microfilm. I have used the Micro-Nikkor extensively with Agfa Copex HDP13 and it produces results as sharp as my scanner can resolve, but I would like to find something wider if possible.

[Attila]

Very promising indeed, due crap light now, may good idea to try it out with flash and we able to see best performance.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Actually, it performs better in flat, dull light. Due to the inherent very high contrast, strong direct light produces a very contrasty result even with the extreme compensating development methods I use.

I suppose the ideal situation for it would be a day with an overcast sky where there is sufficient light but it is very diffuse.

Here is how it looks in direct sunlight, high contrast with a fairly narrow tonal range:



Agfa Copex HDP13 in direct sunlight:



I do like high contrast for certain subjects such as architecture, machinery; but for natural subjects, countryside etc I think a wider tonal range is preferable.

I need to buy an EZ series speedlite to enable TTL flash metering on my EOS 10qd, when I do, I can try it with a flash.

[Attila]

I like first example on sun pretty much, second to dark right.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I like the first one too.

This film likes to produce black and white, you have to force it to make grays, so if the light is strong, it will make deep blacks and there's little you can do about it. This can work with the right subject, but sometimes it just doesn't work so well.

It is cheap though, about 30p for a 24 shot roll.

[mmelvis]

#6 in the first batch is a great capture, the whole scene is very appealing.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers. I have a thing for trees without leaves in BW. It's a nice bit of countryside with rolling green hills, just a small patch between the mountains and the sea.

[kds315*]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Cheers Klaus.