Southern Methodist University – Spring Term 2007
117 Umphrey Lee, Mondays 9:00-11:50am
Robert Flowers, Instructor
Film Black and White Reversal
Film Layers:
- Supercoat
- Emulsion
- Subbing Layer (Adhesive)
- Base
- Subbing Layer (Adhesive)
- Anti-Halation Layer
Silver Halides Crystals: Light sensitive particulars
Sensitometry: Emulsion sensitivity to light
Latent Image: Exposed non-developed image
Black & White Reversal Film Development:
- Developer
- Bleach
- Exposure
- Developer
- Bleach
- Fixer
Kodak Film Types
Kodak Film Tools
The Characteristic Curve
Film Speed & ASA:
- Speed equals sensitivity to light
- EI=exposure index (gives “speed” a number)
- EI=ASA=DIN (Metric)
- Example: Tungsten EI160/23 Daylight EI200/24
- 200 ASA medium/slow
- ASA 200=twice sensitivity as ASA 100
Single Perforation (standard 16, super 16 only)
Double Perforation (standard 16, high speed)
Camera Stocks = Winding B
40 Frames = 1 foot
Film pitch
Film sizes
70mm release stock only
65mm, 35mm, 16mm, Super 8mm, 8mm
Light Meter
- Incident light = light falling on subject (dome = human face)
- Reflective light = light bouncing off subject
- Spot meter reads reflective light very narrow angle
Backlight compensation
Tonal range
Lenses = several elements contained within circular barrel
In 16mm film the 25mm lens = “normal” field of human vision
Prime lenses = fixed focal length = fast lens
10 mm to 100 mm
Zoom lenses = adjustable focal length = slow lens
10 mm to 120 mm
Telephoto lens = fixed long focal length = slow lens
100 mm +
Lens focus = light aimed precisely at film plane
Lens focal length = distance from optical center of lens to focal plane/film plane e.g. 25mm, 50 mm, 75mm, etc.
F-Stop = amount of light allowed by lens diameter, focal length and lens aperture (iris opening) e.g. f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, etc.
Depth of field = range in which objects will appear sharp. Also considered the area of focus starting at 1/3 distance in front of point of focus to 2/3 after point of focus (1/3 Rule).
Greater Depth of Field
Wide angle lenses
High F stop (small aperture)
Subject far away from camera
Smaller format (such as 8mm film)
Less Depth of Field
Telephoto lenses
Low F stop (wide aperture)
Subject close to camera
Larger format (such as 35mm film)
Hyper focal distance = point of greatest depth of field. It is pre-calculated figure indicating that if the given lens at the given F stop is focused at this hyper focal distance, everything from half this distance to infinity will be in an acceptable focus. For example, if for a given lens and f-stop the hyper focal distance is 20 feet, by focusing at 20 feet we would obtain everything in focus from 10 feet to infinity.
Depth of Focus
Refers to the very small distance on either side of the focal plane where the film can be situated and still record an acceptably sharp image.
To get a correct exposure
Set film ASA > set shutter speed on light meter = F stop
Add filter compensation and/or shutter adjustment = adjusted F stop
Set ASA
Film speed = e.g. Tri-X Reversal EI 160T, EI 200D, Plus-X Reversal EI 80T, EI 100D
Set Shutter Speed
1/80th at 24 fps (Bolex)
If Necessary
Make F stop adjustments for:
Adjustable shutter
Filter compensation
Set F Stop on Lens