Pushing FP4

[alaios]

Hi,
I was wondering if you have tried to push FP4 and how much? ILford reports it as very durable to pushing, well not much s the HP5 but I wonder if it can be pushed to 400 or 800

Regards
Alex

[philslizzy]

Results would not be as good as HP5 at the same speeds.

Pushing FP4 is really an emergency solution for example if your meter is accidentally set to 400 or you must get some photos in low light. Grain and contrast will go out of the window.

Not recommended.

Suck it and see

[alaios]

Thanks I will do. IT looks like though pushable to 200. philslizzy what is the iso that you can hand hold without much problems?

Regards
Alex

[philslizzy]

The ISO setting or more accurately the actual film speed doesn't really make a difference, it is the shutter speed you use. Most suggest that 1/30th is the slowest speed to hand hold and that is reflected in your X700 when it beeps as you get below a 30th.

Traditionally it was recommended that your minimum shutter speed should be about same as your lens's focal length so:

28mm lens - 1/30
50mm lens - 1/60
135mm lens- 1/125
200mm lens- 1/250

You will gain at most a stop when pushing FP4.

You are inexperienced in film use and asking lots of questions. This is great, you have come to the right place and getting lots of great answers to all your questions.

Don't ever lose interest!

Phil

[iangreenhalgh1]

FP4 pushes poorly, but if you need to try it, then use Microphen as the developer, you can get 2 stops push (rating the film at 400).