Spotmatic problem. Please help!!!

HI all
Got some shots developed using a spotmatic (which is usually crystal clear) and ilford hp5 400. The shots were developed in an average photolab. Is the HP5 supposed to be a grainy film?
What would you guys recommend for outdoor portrait photography? I want something fine grained but also a relatively high speed...is it the film or just the developers?

any help on this matter would be wonderful and make my day.
Many thanks

JT

For the most control over the end results, developing the films yourself is the best option. Then you can choose the film/developer combination that will deliver the results you want.

For superb, fine grain portraits, it is hard to beat Kodak T Max 100 or Ilford Delta 100, both T grain modern emulsions that will deliver superb skin tones. My favourite developer for these films is Paterson FX39. This is supplied as a convenient liquid concentrate.

It is rarely necessaru for outdorr or studio portraiture to use films faster than the ISO 100 ones.

HP5 is a fast conventional emulsion which is relatively grainy. I prefer Kodak Tri-X for this sort of film, and use it routinely for landscape work. For portraits, the films mentioned above may be more suitable.

Hope that helps!

many thanks john. I've just ordered some t max today to try out some more. I was also wondering whether you can get 85mm lens' for the spotmatic? I have a 50 and 135 but i need somewhere inbetween really. Any one point me in a direction for second hand spotmatic lens'?

many thanks

The 85mm lens for the Spotmatic tends to be rare and expensive, but you should be able to find the 105mm f2.8, which is a superb lens and ideal for portraiture. Try eBay or the classified ads in AP.

is the pentax 'k' fit suitable for the spotmatic? Also does anyone know where i can get a lens convertor from?

thanks

Pentax K is a bayonet fit, and unsuitable for the Spotmatics.

many thanks john. Kind regards for the quick response. I wanted to make my 50mm smc, into an 85mm with the help of a 1.7x converter. Do you know where these are available on the net john? or maybe on the street? Don't want to spend too much but a converter that won't affect image is key.
many thanks in advance! I'm desperate!!!

just to confirm it's for a spotmatic.

I would highly recomend looking into the fuji line of Neopan films. they come in 100/400 and 1600 flavours................ I havent used the 400 but i was extreamly pleased with the lack of grain in the 1600 film...... i thought....... if this film is this good..... i wonder how much better the 400 will be. also therefore the 100 should be even better.
The whole range of films produce very nice and dark shadows which i like in moody portraits and on overcast days. just a suggestion really.

Portraiture is very demanding if skin tones are to be preserved and a print of any size made. I would really recommend 100 ISO film for this.

A converter on your 50mm lens will probably be a 2x for screw thread and it will reduce the "bite" of the image. However, it should be very inexpensive and definitely worth a go.

Try eBay, camera fairs, PENTAX USER reader ads and AP.

so the image will be distorted if i add a converter then john? That's a real shame because, as you say, they are very inexpensive and i can't afford to fork out £150 odd quid out on an 85mm lens.

Any other suggestions?
Also are there any good second hand sites for camera stuff bar ebay?
And i take it i'm looking for screw thread converter john?

Sorry to be a pain.

You're certainly not being a pain! I can well remember trying to come to terms with the vast subject of phtotography, and it's a long learning curve that only gets steeper. The more you find out, the more you see there is to know...

Yes, you will need a screw thread converter. It wouldn't "distort" the image - this refers to the rendering of straight lines as straight lines, especially towards the edges of the image. (Pincushion and barrel distortion).

But as it is in effect enlarging the centre of the prime lens image and adding more glass into the light path it can have an effect on resolving power (definition, sharpness, etc.). Depending on the converter and the aperture used, this could be OK for portraiture (nice soft pictures?) but it all depends on what you are trying to achieve.

It will not have the crispness of a prime 85mm lens, that's for sure.

I may have a 105mm f2.8 available for sale in a week or two - if you are still looking at that time, let me know.

John......... I just remembered i have a convertor that i bought off ebay by accident thinking that it was a k mount.............. its in good condition and the optic is clear.

price would be £6 including postage. ............... email me at [email protected] if you are interested. a cheap way of trying it out. the 105mm lens with f2.8 does sound great though.

hi sent both john and steely wheel emails. Many thanks

Joe