Guest darkstar2004 Posted June 13, 2008 Share #1 Posted June 13, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) That's my question: What is your favorite black and white film and why? While we're at it - What subject matter do you use it for? Do you use different films for different subjects? I'll go first. Presently I'm using Kodak Tri-X rated at ISO 400. I recently shot some Ilford HP5+ rated at ISO 800 and really liked the look of it, so I may go back to that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 Hi Guest darkstar2004, Take a look here What is your favorite B&W film and why?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
JHAG Posted June 13, 2008 Share #2 Posted June 13, 2008 Neopan 100 & 400. My Leica dealer pushed me to try it 2 years ago. After some time with Tri-X only, now I prefer this one for its fine rendering of highlights, greyscale and better handling of contrasts. Compared to it, Tri-X seems a bit harsh. And I feel it's not a bad way of encouraging Fuji, one of the last to invest in developing films. I mostly shoot available light portraits with it, but also some of my favourite subject matters : shoes, feet, everyday life items lying on the floor. Neopan 100 is also excellent for street photo (recessed doors, places, lowlit backgrounds, etc.). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted June 14, 2008 Share #3 Posted June 14, 2008 TMX and TMY grain + sharpness + tonality + pushability + availability + price +++ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Austerby Posted June 14, 2008 Share #4 Posted June 14, 2008 I have recently been exploring Adox CHS50 and it has become a new favourite - a lovely old-style film, which develops beautifully in Neofin Blue. I plan to try some of the other films in their range in due course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted June 14, 2008 Share #5 Posted June 14, 2008 Neopan 400 is hard to beat...fantastic tones when developed with hc 110, and great contrast and sharpness.It has become my universal film.I don't change films for different subjects although I can imagine that many do. Here a couple of already posted examples in different lighting situations. regards 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/55391-what-is-your-favorite-bw-film-and-why/?do=findComment&comment=581241'>More sharing options...
andym911 Posted June 14, 2008 Share #6 Posted June 14, 2008 and one more this time with some toning. regards 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/55391-what-is-your-favorite-bw-film-and-why/?do=findComment&comment=581248'>More sharing options...
Kent10D Posted June 14, 2008 Share #7 Posted June 14, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Kodak's new T-max 400 is very nice. Of course that's a personal opinion, but I do think it's worth checking out. I use it in 35-mm and 120 formats, and find the detail and tonality to be very impressive. But if you like the "punch" of Tri-X you might find it a bit tame. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 14, 2008 Share #8 Posted June 14, 2008 Ilford FP4 and Kodak Tri-X. I developed these in Xtol diluted 1:3. I loved the way they looked scanned. Then again I haven't used film for over 18 months. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent10D Posted June 14, 2008 Share #9 Posted June 14, 2008 Andy, Beautiful! You're getting some gorgeous results with that Fuji film! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeplanter Posted June 14, 2008 Share #10 Posted June 14, 2008 Efke 25 developed in Rodinal. Love the fine grain and there's something about the richness of the blacks that make this B&W film stand out from the others I've tried. Favorite B&W film # 2 is Ilford Delta 100, again in Rodinal. As for subject matter, mainly street photography and portraits. Jim B. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicar888 Posted June 14, 2008 Share #11 Posted June 14, 2008 Fuji's Acros 100 processed in undiluted Ilford ID-11 at 68 degrees for 6:45 minutes.This scene was captured with my R8, 90mm APO/ASPH Summicron-R, and Metz 54 MZ-3 flash in TTL mode. 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/55391-what-is-your-favorite-bw-film-and-why/?do=findComment&comment=581475'>More sharing options...
peter_n Posted June 14, 2008 Share #12 Posted June 14, 2008 Kodak's new T-Max 400 is very nice.My favorite is Agfapan 100 or Foma 100 developed in Rodinal for that old fashioned grainy look. I did take a few rolls of the new T-Max 400 on a trip to Europe a few weeks ago to try it out and liked it. Not much grain and good tonality. Below is some graffiti on a fire-station in Wienerstr. near the Gorlitzer U-bahn stop in Berlin. 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/55391-what-is-your-favorite-bw-film-and-why/?do=findComment&comment=581487'>More sharing options...
patashnik Posted June 15, 2008 Share #13 Posted June 15, 2008 Adox CMS 20. The sharpness and resolution I'm able to get with this film is simply overwhelming. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted June 15, 2008 Share #14 Posted June 15, 2008 Adox CMS 20. The sharpness and resolution I'm able to get with this film is simply overwhelming. I found it here : apparently, it must be developed in their dedicated ADOX developer. How do you work it yourself ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patashnik Posted June 15, 2008 Share #15 Posted June 15, 2008 I found it here : apparently, it must be developed in their dedicated ADOX developer.How do you work it yourself ? Nothing different than any other developer, one small bottle is enough for five films. Quick and easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted June 15, 2008 Share #16 Posted June 15, 2008 I have recently been exploring Adox CHS50 and it has become a new favourite - a lovely old-style film, which develops beautifully in Neofin Blue. I plan to try some of the other films in their range in due course. Same here including the CHS100. Bit carefull in handling till dried. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted June 15, 2008 Share #17 Posted June 15, 2008 Adox CMS 20. The sharpness and resolution I'm able to get with this film is simply overwhelming. I don't know this film--can you post a couple of examples please? thanks andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patashnik Posted June 15, 2008 Share #18 Posted June 15, 2008 I don't know this film--can you post a couple of examples please? thanks andy I'm not at home now, so I don't have any samples here. But check out these: http://www.adox.de/english/ADOX_Films/ADOX_Films/ADOX_Films/ADOX_CMS_Pictures.html The modern slow speed silver halide film: Adox and Spur | Photography and image capture: the Leica technique and philosophy by Erwin Puts | Erwin Puts Needless to say, this is the film that made me realize that a tripod actually is useful at times Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted June 15, 2008 Share #19 Posted June 15, 2008 I'm not at home now, so I don't have any samples here. But check out these:http://www.adox.de/english/ADOX_Films/ADOX_Films/ADOX_Films/ADOX_CMS_Pictures.html The modern slow speed silver halide film: Adox and Spur | Photography and image capture: the Leica technique and philosophy by Erwin Puts | Erwin Puts Needless to say, this is the film that made me realize that a tripod actually is useful at times The ADOX english link is broken. Only ADOX german working. You may try this also : Films or http://www.retrophotographic.com/cgi-bin/trolleyed_cart.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.retrophotographic.com%2Fshop%2F59%2F84%2Findex.htm&action=update_postage&country_id=22 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 15, 2008 Share #20 Posted June 15, 2008 There are some details here... Retro Photographic Ltd - Black & White Specialist Photographic Products Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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