B&W film recommendations wanted

**NaClH2O** · 03-06-2007, 05:43 AM

Hi everybody, A while ago I picked up a completely manual Vivitar V4000s at a garage sale. Nice little camera. I decided to use it for taking B&W, I even found that my FA 50 1.4 works quite well on it. I taken a couple of rolls of Fujifilm Neopan ISO 100, and it's OK, but I was wondering if there was better out there. I'd be taking mostly scenery/archetecture shots in fairly good light.

NaCl(back to my roots I guess)H2O

-=JoN=- · 03-06-2007, 06:24 AM

Kodak TMAX

**NaClH2O** · 03-06-2007, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by -=JoN=-

Kodak TMAX

Thanks Jon, do you recommend any particular ISO? I'm pretty much a complete newbie at this

NaCl(I've found that shooting film makes me more careful)H2O

-=JoN=- · 03-06-2007, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by NaClH2O

Thanks Jon, do you recommend any particular ISO? I'm pretty much a complete newbie at this

NaCl(I've found that shooting film makes me more careful)H2O

depends on what and where your going to shoot. I mostly used ISO 400, gave me a better all around balance between indoors and outdoors.

pick up 200 and 400 24 shots each, see how they turn out.

on a side note, i just found 2 rolls of Ilford XP2 super B/W c-41 ISO 400.
want to give those a shot? i'll probably use them up soon
i got them cheap (cheaper than the T-Max)

just remember salt, the t-max wont get developed by the 1-hour lab places, they need to send those out. they can only process c-41 (hence why i got the ilford sometime back)

but the t-max gives out better results...

**jfdavis58** · 03-06-2007, 09:53 AM

Processing it yourself?

I'm a die hard fan of Tri-X, several developers; something on the order of 60,000 rolls--still have 600 feet in the reefer. I've also used Ilford's HP-5 and FP-4; the former is similar to Tri-X (sorta), the latter is not. Also used the PanF stuff, which borders on remarkable.

If you home process and you want a real kick in the pants B&W blast, find some Efke. It's tonal range is unparalleled. It's an old process, high silver content film that drives the EPA types into a rage. J&C Photography was a good source, but they are moving operation until Sept '07. Freestyle Photo has a (small) supply in 25,50,100 ASA.

**NaClH2O** · 03-06-2007, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the info Jon, I'd prolly go down to Adorama to have it developed anyway. I'd go there to buy the film in any case. Makes for a good excuse to drop in.

NaCl(not that I need an excuse to buy more photo gear)H2O

-=JoN=- · 03-06-2007, 11:22 AM

when are you planning on stopping by..I might be stop in myself on thursday..haven't been there in a good bit. LoL

**NaClH2O** · 03-06-2007, 11:24 AM

That's quite a bit further than I want to go John. Besides I have a NYC apartment, I think in other parts of the country they call them "walk in closets"

NaCl(I've got as much "stuff" as this place can hold)H2O

-=JoN=- · 03-06-2007, 11:29 AM

your going later? LoL
yeah, the very spacious yet luxurious 100x100 NYC apt.

you want to do a NYBG shoot one saturday?

**NaClH2O** · 03-06-2007, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by -=JoN=-

your going later? LoL
yeah, the very spacious yet luxurious 100x100 NYC apt.

you want to do a NYBG shoot one saturday?

Thursday would be good for me and Adorama, payday

PM or e-mail me and maybe we can hook up.
An NYBG shoot sounds like fun, but I've got committments for this Sat. The Orchid show runs till Easter so there's some time yet.

NaCl(besides it might be good to let the crowds die down a bit)H2O

-=JoN=- · 03-06-2007, 12:27 PM

i'll PM you later or tomorrow if I can make it. tomorrow is the first time im going back to work after about a week off from surgery. lets see how my work load is...

and yeah, as for the NYBG, maybe Sat. after next (17th?) or perhaps the 31st
would be great

PentaxFan · 03-06-2007, 08:37 PM

I like T-Max as well, but have always been happy with Kodak Professional B&W ISO400

It's only $5.95 CDN per roll as well and is C-41 processed.

Finn · 03-07-2007, 06:51 AM

I grew up shooting Tri-X, mostly because my dad is totally old school like that. He'd probably think it's blasphemous of me to say this, but I like Tmax a lot better -- better contrast, better shadow and highlight detail, just a smoother, inkier "look". I haven't developed it in the darkroom in as while

, so I can't really comment on that.

Ivan Glisin · 03-07-2007, 11:56 AM

ILFORD XP2 Plus 400 which uses standard C41 color processing so you don't need to mess up with any chemicals at home. Once developed you can have it professionally scanned, again no chemicals involved. If classic gelatin silver prints are required you could always make them since you have negatives.

There is a Kodak equivalent for C41 processing, I think it is T400CN. Reportedly also excellent but I do not have any experience with it.

dgmaley · 03-07-2007, 01:02 PM

Boy have you asked a key question. Each photographer will have their own "best" B&W film and each film will have a different "look". If you have your own darkroom, check out Ilford HP5 plus. There's also a Kodak equalivent. I believe it's PX160. If you want to just have a mini-lab take care of development, check out Ilford XP2 super or Kodak 400CN. Both are really color film. The Ilford processed negatives look more like a B&W film, but with a slight pinkish cast. The Kodak film looks orange, like any color film. Have fun.
Dave Maley

03-06-2007, 05:43 AM	#1
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	B&W film recommendations wanted Hi everybody, A while ago I picked up a completely manual Vivitar V4000s at a garage sale. Nice little camera. I decided to use it for taking B&W, I even found that my FA 50 1.4 works quite well on it. I taken a couple of rolls of Fujifilm Neopan ISO 100, and it's OK, but I was wondering if there was better out there. I'd be taking mostly scenery/archetecture shots in fairly good light. NaCl(back to my roots I guess)H2O

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03-06-2007, 06:24 AM	#2
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999	Kodak TMAX

03-06-2007, 07:20 AM	#3
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631 Original Poster	Originally posted by -=JoN=- Kodak TMAX Thanks Jon, do you recommend any particular ISO? I'm pretty much a complete newbie at this NaCl(I've found that shooting film makes me more careful)H2O

03-06-2007, 08:43 AM	#4
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999	Originally posted by NaClH2O Thanks Jon, do you recommend any particular ISO? I'm pretty much a complete newbie at this NaCl(I've found that shooting film makes me more careful)H2O depends on what and where your going to shoot. I mostly used ISO 400, gave me a better all around balance between indoors and outdoors. pick up 200 and 400 24 shots each, see how they turn out. on a side note, i just found 2 rolls of Ilford XP2 super B/W c-41 ISO 400. want to give those a shot? i'll probably use them up soon i got them cheap (cheaper than the T-Max) just remember salt, the t-max wont get developed by the 1-hour lab places, they need to send those out. they can only process c-41 (hence why i got the ilford sometime back) but the t-max gives out better results...

03-06-2007, 09:53 AM	#5
jfdavis58 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 13 S 0357397-3884316 Photos: Gallery Posts: 887	Processing it yourself? I'm a die hard fan of Tri-X, several developers; something on the order of 60,000 rolls--still have 600 feet in the reefer. I've also used Ilford's HP-5 and FP-4; the former is similar to Tri-X (sorta), the latter is not. Also used the PanF stuff, which borders on remarkable. If you home process and you want a real kick in the pants B&W blast, find some Efke. It's tonal range is unparalleled. It's an old process, high silver content film that drives the EPA types into a rage. J&C Photography was a good source, but they are moving operation until Sept '07. Freestyle Photo has a (small) supply in 25,50,100 ASA.

03-06-2007, 11:18 AM	#6
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631 Original Poster	Thanks for the info Jon, I'd prolly go down to Adorama to have it developed anyway. I'd go there to buy the film in any case. Makes for a good excuse to drop in. NaCl(not that I need an excuse to buy more photo gear)H2O

03-06-2007, 11:22 AM	#7
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999	when are you planning on stopping by..I might be stop in myself on thursday..haven't been there in a good bit. LoL

03-06-2007, 11:24 AM	#8
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631 Original Poster	That's quite a bit further than I want to go John. Besides I have a NYC apartment, I think in other parts of the country they call them "walk in closets" NaCl(I've got as much "stuff" as this place can hold)H2O

03-06-2007, 11:29 AM	#9
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999	your going later? LoL yeah, the very spacious yet luxurious 100x100 NYC apt. you want to do a NYBG shoot one saturday?

03-06-2007, 11:45 AM	#10
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631 Original Poster	Originally posted by -=JoN=- your going later? LoL yeah, the very spacious yet luxurious 100x100 NYC apt. you want to do a NYBG shoot one saturday? Thursday would be good for me and Adorama, payday PM or e-mail me and maybe we can hook up. An NYBG shoot sounds like fun, but I've got committments for this Sat. The Orchid show runs till Easter so there's some time yet. NaCl(besides it might be good to let the crowds die down a bit)H2O

03-06-2007, 12:27 PM	#11
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999	i'll PM you later or tomorrow if I can make it. tomorrow is the first time im going back to work after about a week off from surgery. lets see how my work load is... and yeah, as for the NYBG, maybe Sat. after next (17th?) or perhaps the 31st would be great

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03-06-2007, 08:37 PM	#12
PentaxFan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 257	I like T-Max as well, but have always been happy with Kodak Professional B&W ISO400 It's only $5.95 CDN per roll as well and is C-41 processed.

03-07-2007, 06:51 AM	#13
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	I grew up shooting Tri-X, mostly because my dad is totally old school like that. He'd probably think it's blasphemous of me to say this, but I like Tmax a lot better -- better contrast, better shadow and highlight detail, just a smoother, inkier "look". I haven't developed it in the darkroom in as while , so I can't really comment on that.

03-07-2007, 11:56 AM	#14
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	ILFORD XP2 Plus 400 which uses standard C41 color processing so you don't need to mess up with any chemicals at home. Once developed you can have it professionally scanned, again no chemicals involved. If classic gelatin silver prints are required you could always make them since you have negatives. There is a Kodak equivalent for C41 processing, I think it is T400CN. Reportedly also excellent but I do not have any experience with it.

03-07-2007, 01:02 PM	#15
dgmaley Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Marion,Iowa Posts: 21	Boy have you asked a key question. Each photographer will have their own "best" B&W film and each film will have a different "look". If you have your own darkroom, check out Ilford HP5 plus. There's also a Kodak equalivent. I believe it's PX160. If you want to just have a mini-lab take care of development, check out Ilford XP2 super or Kodak 400CN. Both are really color film. The Ilford processed negatives look more like a B&W film, but with a slight pinkish cast. The Kodak film looks orange, like any color film. Have fun. Dave Maley