Originally posted by John Elger Hey,
I shoot an analog BW from time to time and I would like to ask you what difference can I expect from different film manufactures? I'm used to shoot Ilford film but my local camera store offers there three brands (Ilford, FOMAPAN and Kodak). Are there any differences? Talking about the same ISO.
Thank you very much.
Best regards,
Jan Elger
If you scan your film, the "base" on which the sensitive layer is put will have some influence :
- The ilford film remain flat, and don't curl, which is great when you scan.
- the Kodak tend to curl.
- I don't know the foma, never tried.
About the iso : read the spec sheets of film, you can find some details like "400 iso film, better shot @320 for contrast" for example.
So far, with the shop processing (in Paris, we do have a very good photographic shop, that do process really well film), between the kodak and the ilford film, the best @1600 and 3200 remain Delta 400. It's less contrasty and offer more latitude when scanning. The HP5 and FP4 when push, are like the kodak : very contrasty, grain quite visible (but this contribute to a sens of sharpness and detail, IMO).
As some said, the best thing to do, is try them all
You'll notice some differences, and only by seeing them yo will be able to decide what you like. You won't know what you may like, until you see it.