[APML] Film Testing Targets?

["Thomas W. Earle" <twade@bmi.net>]

I hope to venture out Thursday night (10/14), and tests several
medium format films for astrophotography.  Basically, I'll be
looking for two things: how well the film performs and how long I
can expose it at my dark location.  In order to go through as many
rolls as possible, I'll be forced to use the fastest Pentax 67
lenses I own (i.e. 75 mm f/2.8, 105 mm f/2.4, and 165 mm f/2.8).
Since I want be too concerned about aberrations, I'll shoot them
wide open.  The only caveat I see with this approach is that it's
not going to tell me much about reciprocity failure.  For example,
if I find I can shoot 15 minutes at f/2.8 with Fuji Provia 400F, I
cannot assume it applies to 30 minutes at f/4.0.  I'll will tests
the "winning" candidates from the initial study at the optimum
f-stops at a later date.  If time permits, I'll be testing the
following films:

	Konica Professional 400
	Kodak Ultra 400UC
	Fuji NPZ 800
	Fuji Provia 400F (pushed 1 stop)
	Astia 100F (pushed 2 stops)

Does anyone have any suggestions on wide field targets (i.e. fields
that contain Oxygen III and H-alpha targets together)?
Unfortunately, at my latitude (i.e. 45 degrees North), the Milky Way
is too low this time of year.  I believe after 200 AM I'll start
concentrating on Orion.  Any constellation suggestions or target
areas, especially between 800 PM and 200 AM, would be greatly
appreciated.

As an aside, Astia 100F, although slow, looks pretty intriguing
given the fact it's red sensitivity peaks near the h-alpha
wavelength.  Has anybody tested this film?  Is it worth a test?

Thanks in advance,

Wade


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