What Black and White Film and Why?

Mohain

Mohain

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Guy Boden
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I've yet to settle on a film and dev combo and have been flitting between several different films. I think I'm going to knuckle down with some FP4+ and try some different dev combos and see where I get with it. However, I'm also tempted to try Tri-X and the Rollei range appeals but I feel I'm not really getting anywhere until I've used one type of film for a decent while. I shoot mainly med format, landscape type shots.

What black and white film do you use and why?
 
Hey matey

So far, I've tried FP4+, Pan F and XP2 (aaaages ago). I have a roll of HP5 and 10 Rolls of Across 100 in the freezer. I'd also like to buy some Adox CHS 25. This is a film that Gandhi uses and gets outstanding results from it. That said, he's probably the best person to talk to regarding this film.

Personally, and only so far, I prefer Pan F 50 over FP4 and XP2. It seems to give similar levels of contrast as FP4, with the advantage of really fine grain.

That said, judging by results I've seen elsewhere, I am probably going to love Acros more than anything so far, and then Adox even more so when I get round to trying it. However, if my choice had to be between FP4 and Pan F, I'd choose the latter. Sorry I can't be of more help fella. W
 
I need to try pan f, got some but its 35mm :bang:

liking the sound of uber slow, when I get a scanner I'll be relearning everything I think
 
I've only tried one roll of the Acros 100, and to be honest, so far, it's been my favourite slow, smooth film. I've just bought a few rolls of the Legacy Pro 100 which by all accounts is the same as Acros 100, but haven't had a chance to shoot any of it yet. Hopefully over the weekend I'll run a roll or two and soup 'em up to see.
 
At the moment I only have Ilford XP-2 as I can't locate a decent lab nearby to me here in Germany to process B&W - there must be one...
 
I always used to use Neopan 400 in Id11 1+1 and for 120 Tri X in Tmax developer, never really got on with Ilford stuff for some reason.
 
david1701 said:
come to the red side :D

we can source you tanks a plenty
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Ooo - that reminds me :bonk:

Umm - looks like the tupperware one went with the colour tank David... sorry :( Will have to be the Rondinax when you need it after all.
 
When the thermotank went I chucked in alot of the stuff I no longer needed, like trays and pipes and tongs and so on... looks like the super 4 tank I thought I still had also went :(
 
Adox CHS 25. Why? I like fine grain (not that it really matters shooting 5x4 :) ), I also like its reduced red sensitivity (its orthopan, not panchromatic). Because the film base is thin and it's only a single coated emulsion, it scans very well and doesn't suffer from callier effect so much. It's also very sharp. I normally use rodinal diluted to 1:100 or 1:150 and stand dev. tbh, this is more cos I cant be arsed standing there for 20 minutes inverting, so I just bang the film in the tank, give it a shake and leave it for an hour. Seems to work well. Rodinal is a non-solvent dev, so it maintains the sharpness too.

The cons are: Very fragile film, prone to pin holes and scratches. Emulsion lift can, and has been, a problem too if you dont keep the temps stable (I have used too warm a wash before) I wouldnt use this film if I was wet printing I dont think. Either that or I'd have to be a damn sight more careful!


I also dabble with Acros cos of its superior reciprocity function. none up to 2 mins then 1/2 a stop up to about 20 mins :)
 
Sorry for the late reply, I was away this w/e. Thanks for the replies :) I've used Pan F and Acros and found the both a bit contrasty but that could have been my development. I am wet printing so fragile emulsion prone to pin holes and scratches scares me ;) Edtog, I know what you mean but for some reason I have an urge to 'buy British'. I'm tempted to try Acros again now as I love Neopan 400 in my Holga.

Perhaps I should do some proper tests, same scene, same lighting, different films, different devs and see what i get.
 
Hmmm, there seems to be a preference for Pan-F here then...I've not used much B&W but I want to give home processing a try so was considering FP4+.

Then I had a moment when I was wondering what the benefits of using Delta 100 were over FP4...now I have a "third way".

Anyone got any side by side comparisons?!
 
Pan F+ 50 6x6
3206372751_0c3ae20325_o_d.jpg


Delta 100 6x4.5 (cropped square)
2902446087_d2440334b7_o_d.jpg


FP4+ 125 35mm
2893781766_ca700d87e9_o_d.jpg


and some Rollei Pan 25 - one of my favourites :thumbs:
3712994959_4cfca76340_o_d.jpg
 
ekimeno said:
Pan F+ 50 6x6

Delta 100 6x4.5 (cropped square)

FP4+ 125 35mm

and some Rollei Pan 25 - one of my favourites :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I think of those three I'm liking the FP4+ and the Pan F+ 50...though the Rollei Pan isn't showing up for me...

Not too sure about the Delta 100...seems to lack a bit of contrast.

I'm really after getting some good contrast with low grain, so I reckon a trial of Pan F (unless I can see the Pan 25 ;) )

Thinking ahead to a project for NEXT YEARS Bristol Festival of Photography.
 
ekimeno said:
2902446087_d2440334b7_o_d.jpg
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Well she's a happy-bunny and no mistake - blimey, if looks could kill...
The next time central-casting is looking for 'Killer Ice-Queen ex-Soviet KGB Honey-Trap Assassin-type', look no further...lol
 
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