Jump to content

Your favourite black and white film, and why?

jagwar.jim

By jagwar.jim
in Film Forum

Recommended Posts

stunsworth

stunsworth

Posted
Posted

I haven't shot a roll of film in 5 years or so, so feel free to ignore me, but the film I used most of the time were Fuji Neopan 1600, Tri-X, FP4. All developed in Xtol.

 

Of those the vast majority used were either Tri-X or FP4.

 

I loved the look of the grain with Tri-X - that isn't the same as saying it's a grainy film by the way.

 

I had a brief daliance with the ISO 25 version of Efke. Very smooth, very creamy, very old fashioned looking. I should have shot more.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Tor1Amos

Tor1Amos

Posted
Posted
I used to like Agfapan 100 (ISO 64 in Kodak D-76) and Tmax 3200 (800 in D-76)

 

Nowadays I use for my Hasselblad Tri-X 400 (800 ISO in Diafine) as my main film.

For the Leica I use Fuji Acros 100 (at 200 speed in Diafine)

 

Oh.. and WHY they are my favorites? - Well they arent... I just happen to have loads of Diafine and Tri-x and Acros is the best film chose for this developer. Thats about half the truth.

I truly belive you can stick to one film/developer for a long time and get familiar with it in stead of trying all kinds of combinations. A film can look very different when using a different developer.

The Tri-X developed in Diafine CAN produce very good results (in my eyes) but can also ruin a good picure. The benefit in using Diafine is that you dont have to worry to much about burn out whites. On the other hand - a motiv with little contrast comes out horribly. (but then again you will consider the "real" iso on the film depending on the light conditions - in contrasty situations the Tri-X in Diafine can be used as 1000-1600 ISO, and down to box speed (400) in low contrasty conditions - making the Diafine quite versatile)

Link to post
Share on other sites
Scandium

Scandium

Posted
Posted

My favorite is Eastman 5222 Double-X in Microdol 1+1 at ISO 250. This combination can handle a wide brightness range with smooth mid tones. The combination is perfect for my general-purpose street photography.

 

Double-X works well at EI 400 when developed in Ilford DD-X 1+4. This combination produces slightly more grain and still maintains a beautiful tonal scale.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Messsucherkamera

Messsucherkamera

Posted
Posted

My favorite is Tri-X @ISO 400. I use it almost daily.

 

The things I like about Tri-X are first and foremost, the fingerprint of this emulsion. It is like velvet. There is a visual texture to a Tri-X print that is unique.

 

I also like the fact that blacks and dark colors retain detail and do not block up. This is thanks to the fact that Tri-X has a very wide exposure latitude.

 

Tri-X also does well in harsh lighting conditions such as direct sunlight. In sunny 16 conditions, the prints are sharp and contrasty with nice uniform shades of gray. 400TX does not block up, even in direct sunlight.

 

In harsh light you can screw on a neutral density filter if you want to shoot with wider apertures. B+W makes a 3 stop and a6stop ND filter. With these two filters, 400TX can be used in nearly any harsh light situation with wide apertures to produce shallow depth of field.

 

This film is very easy to develop - I have never had any problems with developing. Just adhere to the time/temperate/agitation/washing instructions and you will end up with excellent negatives every time. It's so easy to develop this emulsion. I develop in D-76 @ 1:1 strength and get outstanding results every time.

 

Kodak sure has made some financial miscues over the years but 400TX is not one of them. This emulsion is simply monumental IMHO. I had an opportunity to attend a weeklong workshop led by a Magnum photographer who has exposed literally miles of film over 50 years of shooting - color as well as B&W. I askedhim about B&W films and his reply was unequivocal: "Tri-X is the greatest B&W film of all time."

 

It's hard to argue with a statement like that from a guy like that.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Michael Hiles

Michael Hiles

Posted
Posted

I like Ilford XP2 Super. The images are smooth and sharp, shadow detail is magnificent, grain is minimal. The "character" is exactly what I want in a B&W picture. I have it processed by the closest competent and well maintained C41 machine. Almost everything I post here is XP2.

Link to post
Share on other sites
innerimager

innerimager

Posted
Posted

+1 for XP2, my go to. At iso 200 very fine and smooth, and can handle up to iso 800. I scan and print so it fits my workflow, and I like it much better than the kodak C41 b&w. I also process with silver effex and get other film looks, again very versatile. Having a very nearby high end shop that does all kinds of film processing and pay careful attention to their C41 machine and handling is another factor.

Link to post
Share on other sites
epm

epm

Posted
Posted

Well I have been using Tri-X for many years and I really like it. Tri-X has an amazing range of exposure. I have used Ilford Delta, however preferred Kodak's Tri-X. I recently came across a roll of PlusX that I shot several years ago. I would shoot more of PlusX film if it was still available. Too bad that film is gone.

 

I have most recently have been using Efke 25. I really like this films properties. Very smooth values. I really like the Efke in contrasty situations. Too bad this film is being discontinued. I am looking for a replacement for my Efke.

Any suggestions?

 

I continue to use Tri-X as well. You cannot beat a classic like Tri-X.

 

Eric

Eric Patrick McCormack Photography - Fine Art and Portrait Photography

Link to post
Share on other sites
alanw

alanw

Posted
Posted

I must admit about Tri-X being a great film however, I have used HP5+ for years. I stopped searching for the magic film and just bought lots of HP5 and concentrated on taking pictures. Slower films I use are Agfa APX100 and for 120 Pan -F.

Link to post
Share on other sites
garysamson

garysamson

Posted
Posted

I like Fuji Acros 100 at an E.I. of 64 processed in Pyrocat 1:1:100, 72f, for 13 minutes (agitation every 3 minutes after 1 minute initial agitation. This is a great combination for outdoor scenes and really takes advantage of the resolving power of Leitz lenses.

Link to post
Share on other sites
CalArts 99

CalArts 99

Posted
Posted

I think all modern emulsions are pretty good. Everyone will have their personal favorite and I think one just needs to experiment a bit and then settle on two or three and try using them for a while for various subject matter.

 

I kind of like them all depending on particular needs. I like Tri-X too, although I sometimes want something a bit more 'softer' with a wide tonal range and tighter grain. Personally I like Neopan 400 in HC-110 for that (at the high 1:64 dilution it acts as a compensating developer; Xtol is a solvent type developer and you will get smaller grain but not so much the same grain pattern look.) Overall it seems to have a smooth tonal range and tight grain pattern. But film choice depends highly on subject matter and what you want to emphasize, etc..

 

(M4 with Summicron 28mm; Neopan 400 at 320 ISO)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites
andym911

andym911

Posted
Posted

still love NEOPAN but the good old Tri X is a classic...here one taken just a few hours ago after lunch...my father in law.

 

best

andy

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...