reciprocity failure

[blinking8s]

Im having a hard time grasping this one in my 35mm intermed photo class...I went out one night on the town to do night shots and just guess/metered/did what i do without thinking and everything looked fine, BUT the book and teacher claim i was just extremely lucky....

but do dSLR's have reciprocity failure? or is it just a film thing? if so would the calculations be the same to balance this?

[PacAce]

No, digital cameras do not suffer from reciprocity failure. It's just a film thing, fortunately for us digital shooter. :D

[aam1234]

What is "reciprocity failure".

Thanks

[CoolToolGuy]

I think the trade-off for DSLRs is heat in the sensor during long exposures, which results in noise.

Have Fun,

[Scottes]

What is "reciprocity failure".

A failure of film to expose correctly after very long or very short duration shutters. For example, perhaps you figure out that a particular picture would take 2 minutes at f/16, but when you get the film developed it's underexposed. Or f/2.8 for 1/4000, but this is also underexposed. Both problems are due to reciprocity failure.

Film is generally designed to work correctly in a particular range, say between 1/2000 to 1 second. Shorter or longer shutters don't work right, and the exposure if off.

http://www.nyip.com/tips/tip_reciprocity698.html

[aam1234]

I was thinking 1/focal length kindda thing :oops:

Thanks Scottes for the clarification.

[PhotosGuy]

Scottes has it right. There is also the problem of changes in color balance with long exposures. Digital is SO great!

[robertwgross]

Digital does not seem to have any reciprocity failure problem.

Film, on the other hand, does. When you buy most pro film, there is some kind of warning in the box or on the box about it. It will mention where to expect it and how much to correct for it... generally only on the very long exposures.

I've never seen it printed with consumer film. I guess they figure that a consumer will just have to take his lumps with reciprocity failure.

---Bob Gross---

[PhotosGuy]

I've never seen it printed with consumer film. I guess they figure that a consumer will just have to take his lumps with reciprocity failure.

Color balance, too. As the Kodak rep once explained it to me, pro film is designed to be kept in the freezer & used & processed right away for optimim color balance.
Other film is expected to have Christmas on both ends & summer shots in the middle. Color balance is handled by the printer.