What are some excellent high quality B/W film alternatives?
Apr 12, 2013 00:23:06 #
Hi all, (Photography student here)
My question today is Film alternatives. (and no I'm not concerned with the price)
At school they reccomend we shoot with Ilford or TMAX as that is what the dark rooms are set up for.
So my question is simple. What are some alternative B/W 35mm and 120mm films that yield superior quality? I figure that since i'm doing this I might as well branch out from Ilford and TMax and try my hand with as many Professional grade B/W films as possible.
Oh and I'm shooting in manual 100%. I stumbed by Adox film from Germany. Any advice on Adox, and any other High Grade film would be greatly appreciated.
I'm going to ask my Instructor about using Adox (if I can I'll buy an entire box of it). On that same note I've already decided to print with Oriental Seagull Matte when I get enough money saved up for their insane order amounts. lol
Thank you all well in advance!
V/r,
Doogie
In the mean time advice is appreciated.
My question today is Film alternatives. (and no I'm not concerned with the price)
At school they reccomend we shoot with Ilford or TMAX as that is what the dark rooms are set up for.
So my question is simple. What are some alternative B/W 35mm and 120mm films that yield superior quality? I figure that since i'm doing this I might as well branch out from Ilford and TMax and try my hand with as many Professional grade B/W films as possible.
Oh and I'm shooting in manual 100%. I stumbed by Adox film from Germany. Any advice on Adox, and any other High Grade film would be greatly appreciated.
I'm going to ask my Instructor about using Adox (if I can I'll buy an entire box of it). On that same note I've already decided to print with Oriental Seagull Matte when I get enough money saved up for their insane order amounts. lol
Thank you all well in advance!
V/r,
Doogie
In the mean time advice is appreciated.
Apr 12, 2013 00:33:42 #
Apr 12, 2013 05:15:16 #
Apr 12, 2013 05:32:03 #
Apr 12, 2013 06:06:15 #
Malcolm B
Loc: Leicester (UK)
My preference would be Ilford FP4 or HP5. The ADOX you mention is the modern Agfa B&W film, all their other versions having been discontinued, but may still be available(?).
I have used Fuji colour and slide film, which I found to be good, so hopefully their B&W film (Neopan) is of similar quality.
Having done a search I see that Rollei also do a B&W film.
Look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photographic_films
I have used Fuji colour and slide film, which I found to be good, so hopefully their B&W film (Neopan) is of similar quality.
Having done a search I see that Rollei also do a B&W film.
Look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photographic_films
Apr 13, 2013 05:56:48 #
many moons ago when I was younger I always used TMAX both in 35 or 120, best I ever used. When I felt like experimenting I used those film and developed in ''ACUFINE''.. this allowed me to use 32 ASA but shoot it at 100ASA . Never in 40 years in the darkroom had I come across any sharper negs.
Apr 13, 2013 09:46:51 #
pj81156
Loc: St. Petersburg, FL
Thanks for the film question. Especially b&w. It shows there are still some of us film users. And, I agree with TMAX. Never tried Ilford. I think I will.
Apr 13, 2013 09:46:52 #
pj81156
Loc: St. Petersburg, FL
Thanks for the film question. Especially b&w. It shows there are still some of us film users. And, I agree with TMAX. Never tried Ilford. I think I will.
Apr 13, 2013 11:10:51 #
I've used a lot of the films out there and much prefer the Ilford films. They are very consistent and I know exactly what I can expect from them. I usually develop my own, so I'm not so concerned with what the labs do.
Apr 13, 2013 12:31:22 #
Apr 13, 2013 12:35:49 #
Apr 13, 2013 13:07:34 #
NMR
Loc: Edmonton, Canada
I use a lot of the Ilford and TMax. Fuji Neopan I use occasionally. Each of them has their pros and cons. I think it really depends on the subject matter and what you need the film to achieve. I love the texture of the TMax. I love the contrast of the various Ilford offerings. I've never been disappointed with Neopan, but tend to gravitate towards TMax or Ilford.
All that said - I think there is a look achievable only by B/W film that you just can obtain digitally. And I like it a lot. Film is NOT dead! :D
All that said - I think there is a look achievable only by B/W film that you just can obtain digitally. And I like it a lot. Film is NOT dead! :D
Apr 13, 2013 14:14:31 #
doogie wrote:
...My question today is Film alternatives. (and no I'm not concerned with the price)....
For starting out, first choice would be Tri-X or HP5 depending on which is easier to obtain (you did not disclose your location). Second choice would be FP4.
My third choice would be any other film you can purchase conveniently including the other Kodak and Ilford films as well as any Rollei/Agfa film that might appeal to you.
Regardless, I strongly recommend you pick one film exclusively and master it before trying anything different.
Apr 13, 2013 16:33:43 #
You cant go wrong with ilford,always top quality. But sometimes i like to take any bog standard colour film and develop it in black and white chemicals. I like the; you never know what to expect aspect.
Apr 13, 2013 16:54:02 #
doogie wrote:
Hi all, (Photography student here) br br My quest... (show quote)
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