Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted April 23, 2016 Share #1 Posted April 23, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) As the title says what do you guys feel is the best B&W film for studio work with strobes? I planning on using Ilford 100 professional Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 23, 2016 Posted April 23, 2016 Hi Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS, Take a look here Best B&W film for studio work??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
EoinC Posted April 24, 2016 Share #2 Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) It really depends on what look you want to achieve, Neil. Generally a fine grain / slow speed film will give you something more akin to what you expect from digital (although there are exceptions to this, such as TMax 400 - Which effectively presents fine grain in a higher speed film). Delta 100 is a good film for this, although I personally prefer Neopan Acros 100. If you want a film that really plays the light (and shadows), Tri-X remains my favourite (with noted caveat to all old timers that it ain't what it used to be...). I suggest that you look at examples of each (Flickr pages, "I like Film..." Thread etc), and see how each handles highlights, shadows, and mid-tones, then figure what you want to try. Then play with the ambient and flash lighting to achieve it. I also suggest that you step outside of this to vary it up, so that you can see what is possible. Edited April 24, 2016 by EoinC 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted April 24, 2016 Share #3 Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) Neil , some pictures with TX400 ,as said Eoin, in this link , to show you "pores skin" and "soft" edges and lines, well reproduced by film versus MM with "smoothing" skin and "cutting" edges and lines (translated by google, normally in french) https://translate.google.fr/translate?sl=fr&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.summilux.net%2Fforums%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D10%26t%3D51356&edit-text= You have pictures in HD and big size under each picture Best H. original link : http://www.summilux.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=51356 Edited April 24, 2016 by Doc Henry 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted April 25, 2016 Share #4 Posted April 25, 2016 Neil - the great thing about film is that there teally is no right answer. There are many brilliant choices and each givrs a slightly different look. There are two basic questions: Do you want grain, and if yes how much? Do you want more contrast or less contrast? I would suggest that you look into what film stocks Jan Scholz uses. After seeing what he does in natural light you might just be sold on the isea of using only natural light, which would increase your film choices infinitely. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypus Posted April 25, 2016 Share #5 Posted April 25, 2016 You don't say what you are shooting in your studio with your strobes. I assume female skin? If so you probably want a reliably contrasty film such as Tri-X....the old choice of champions for "glamour" portraiture.... it prints lovely in high key thus giving every girl's complexion, no matter what her age, a glowing film star quality. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted April 25, 2016 Share #6 Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) As the title says what do you guys feel is the best B&W film for studio work with strobes? I planning on using Ilford 100 professional Why don't you try different films and find out which you prefer for yourself? Questions such as this are largely pointless here and you are getting replies from people who have probably never seen the inside of a studio anyway. Fyi, when I did run a commercial studio, my standard pre chromogenic silver halide film stock was Ilford FP4 and later Kodak 400CN. Make of that what you will, but your time will be better spent experimenting and learning for yourself instead of constantly asking what is 'best'. Edited April 25, 2016 by honcho 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted April 25, 2016 Share #7 Posted April 25, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why don't you try different films and find out which you prefer for yourself? Questions such as this are largely pointless here and you are getting replies from people who have probably never seen the inside of a studio anyway. Fyi, when I did run a commercial studio, my standard pre chromogenic silver halide film stock was Ilford FP4 and later Kodak 400CN. Make of that what you will, but your time will be better spent experimenting and learning for yourself instead of constantly asking what is 'best'. Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir, I asked the question because I like asking questions...............if you don't like answering questions like this then I suggest you do just that and ignore it ......Thanks 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted April 25, 2016 Share #8 Posted April 25, 2016 You don't say what you are shooting in your studio with your strobes. I assume female skin? If so you probably want a reliably contrasty film such as Tri-X....the old choice of champions for "glamour" portraiture.... it prints lovely in high key thus giving every girl's complexion, no matter what her age, a glowing film star quality. Dee we are actually going to try and mimic this picture: so basically full body shots. 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! 2 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/259607-best-bw-film-for-studio-work/?do=findComment&comment=3032858'>More sharing options...
honcho Posted April 25, 2016 Share #9 Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir, I asked the question because I like asking questions...............if you don't like answering questions like this then I suggest you do just that and ignore it ......Thanks I answered your question because my studio film choice is 'best' . There's gratitude for you! Edited April 25, 2016 by honcho Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted April 25, 2016 Share #10 Posted April 25, 2016 I answered your question because my studio film choice is 'best' . There's gratitude for you! I do appreciate your film choice recommendations............I didn't appreciate the rest of the BS that came with it. I will ask my supplier in KL if he has such film:) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted April 25, 2016 Share #11 Posted April 25, 2016 I do appreciate your film choice recommendations............I didn't appreciate the rest of the BS that came with it. I will ask my supplier in KL if he has such film:) Ask him which is best! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted April 25, 2016 Share #12 Posted April 25, 2016 If he says BW 400CN or XP2, I'd be inclined to agree with him. Try them alongside the Ilford Deltas and work it out for yourself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotoklaus Posted April 25, 2016 Share #13 Posted April 25, 2016 Take your Delta 100. Sharp, Fine Grain. With Strobes you don´t have problems with light, so you will get wonderful 6x6- Negatives with your 503. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotoklaus Posted April 25, 2016 Share #14 Posted April 25, 2016 You can develop almost every BW-film from very soft- or to very hard contrasts, some developers will push up the grain, some don´t , but you can´t chnage a native more grainy film to a very fine grain film. So if you want to have sharp, fine grain pictures, get a delta 100, a Tmax 100 or a ACROS 100. Correctly exposed and developed in a well tested standard- developer they will deliver technical high quality. In the studio you can control contrast and soft/ hard lighting with your strobes and softboxes, etc. more than by choosing a different film brand. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted April 25, 2016 Share #15 Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) How sweet and how beautiful film photos really How beautiful this skin finely grainy ... we feel that the photo has a soul when watching I'll have to try the 135 in FomapanI do not know what Neil thinks .... ... with Hasselblad (color and b&w) and M6 (b&w) https://mrleica.com/2015/11/21/hasselblad-fashion-portraits/ https://mrleica.com/2016/03/13/leica-m6-vs-hasselblad501c/ Neil's question : best b&w ? Fomapan , Kodak TX ? Not bad eithe with Kodak and MP http://blog.ricecracker.net/category/film/ Rg H Edited April 25, 2016 by Doc Henry Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted April 25, 2016 Share #16 Posted April 25, 2016 I do appreciate your film choice recommendations............I didn't appreciate the rest of the BS that came with it. I will ask my supplier in KL if he has such film:) BBG will have FP4, Neil. 400CN is discontinued (It's a C41 B&W film). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted April 25, 2016 Share #17 Posted April 25, 2016 ...and you are getting replies from people who have probably never seen the inside of a studio anyway... Don't hold back on the assumptions, Honcho. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted April 25, 2016 Share #18 Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) You can develop almost every BW-film from very soft- or to very hard contrasts, some developers will push up the grain, some don´t , but you can´t chnage a native more grainy film to a very fine grain film. So if you want to have sharp, fine grain pictures, get a delta 100, a Tmax 100 or a ACROS 100. Correctly exposed and developed in a well tested standard- developer they will deliver technical high quality. In the studio you can control contrast and soft/ hard lighting with your strobes and softboxes, etc. more than by choosing a different film brand. This is fine advice for someone who is an experienced developer and printer, or for someone who is interested in the knowledgeBut my sense is that Neil is interested in hearing views on the rendition and performance of various B&W films at more or less box speed and developed in whatever chemicals his lab uses (at least until he gets farther up the learning curve and figures out how to develop himself at a pro level and push and expand/contract film to manipulate its rendering). Edited April 25, 2016 by A miller 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted April 25, 2016 Share #19 Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) BBG will have FP4, Neil. 400CN is discontinued (It's a C41 B&W film). There are still some remaining stocks of 35mm BW400CN around and it's worth searching for. At this stage of the OP's game, C41 emulsion would probably be more useful for studio work. Edited April 25, 2016 by honcho 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted April 25, 2016 Share #20 Posted April 25, 2016 This is fine advice for someone who is an experienced developer and printer, or for someone who is interested in the knowledge But my sense is that Neil is interested in hearing views on the rendition and performance of various B&W films at more or less box speed and developed in whatever chemicals his lab uses (at least until he gets farther up the learning curve and figures out how to develop himself at a pro level and push and expand/contract film to manipulate its rendering). you hit it on the nail Adam. All that other BS might as well be written in Chinese. I'm still memerised about all this film lark, but enjoying the hell out of it Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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