You need to be aware that traditional, easily home-processed, silver-halide B&W film DOES NOT SCAN WELL.

The problem is that on a micro scale the silver halide crystals that make up the image block light completely. Thus when scanned there are no "gray tones", just full black or full white... so images end up very contrasty and there's a lot of loss of fine detail both in shadows and in highlights.

The best way to make digital files from silver halide-based B&W film is to first make an enlargement in the traditional, darkroom/chemical way... then scan that with a flatbed (that's done reflectively) to make the digital image.

Chromogenic B&W negatives that require C41 processing scan much better, though they look low contrast in their native state and are not as "sharp" (digital files can be sharpened). While chromogenic C41 B&W films start out using silver halides, too... those are replaced during processing with dye layers that allow for a much more completer range of tonalities (grays) in between full light transmission (blackest area of the image) and fully blocking light transmission (whitest are of an image).

However, it really is not generally practical to home-process C41 (requires too careful temperature and chemistry controls). This means you can't oversee the processing yourself, are relying upon and putting trust in the quality control and capabilities of a lab (which can range from excellent to some pimply 16 year old who's too busy texting with his girlfriend to worry about your film).

This also makes impossible using Zone System and other advanced B&W methods that require custom film processing. OTOH, C41 processing (which is what most color neg films use) is still widely available many places.

There isn't much choice of chromogenic/C41 B&W films: Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN are the only two I'm aware of now... Both are ISO 400 films and AFAIK they're only available in 35mm size. Still, if you can live within those limitations and are wanting to directly scan B&W negs digitally, these are what I'd recommend.

If you were to get an enlarger rig and set up a darkroom so you could make traditional silver prints first, then scan those reflectively using a flatbed scanner... you have much more selection of B&W silver halide films. Fuji Neopan Acros 100 is one of my favorites... it's a very rich B&W negative with super fine grain. There are also ISO 50, 400, 1600 and even 3200 B&W silver-based films, many of them available in 35mm, medium format (mostly just 120 these days) and sheet film sizes (most commonly 4x5, 5x7, 8x10). There are even some long-ago-orphaned sizes such as 110, 127, 620 available.

I've seen a lot of interest in film photography, too. There's a definite "cult" of film shooters here in Silicon Valley, perhaps because almost everything else in techies' lives is digital and they already spend so much time sitting at a computer.... and enjoy "going analog" for some relief.

Personally I have a number of film cameras and enjoy using some of them from time to time. I'm currently putting together a Koni-Omegaflex TLR medium format rig... still looking for a good deal on a 58mm wide angle lens set and some macro spacers for it. No rush though... I don't have anyplace to set up my darkroom right now, anyway. In 35mm format I've got several relatively modern Canon EF cameras, vintage Canon FD/FL, Konica, Leica, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Zeiss Contaflex and Zenit systems I like to shoot with occasionally. I've got some medium format, larger format sheet film and glass plate cameras too. Some of those date back to 1930s and earlier.

Helge, I'm not exactly a very nostalgic guy. I actually miss very little about shooting film and certainly don't hoard old film cameras just to remind me of just how old I'm getting. Film is a slow process that I just have a hard time finding the time for. And as for the smells, I don't miss them at all. I'd much rather be smelling Chanel Coco than all those old chemicals!! :lol: And I never watch my prints appear, I keep them face down since the paper is actually still reactive to the safe lights while in the developer.
All that said I DO shoot film! I learn more about contrast shooting and printing film that Digi and color just can't teach you. But I Don't subscribe that one needs to that one needs to learn with film.
In four weeks last month and in April I shot 8 models in a special B&W project that I did. I shot just after or before the golden hours to get very harsh light to try and create a harsh, funky, glamour film noir look that involved a car.
The shot I'm posting is NOT scanned film, its a wet print and then I photographed the print to create the digital file. So what your seeing is pic of the actual print. The background is a gas station, adding to the funk!!
I hope you like her!! :lol:

:lol: :lol: Vlux, thanks, yes, I too would have like to have seen her hand a little different. I think there are 3 things going on her......
1, I'm such a rookie!
2, like most here, get me in the presence of a good looking girl, and I barely know how to act. :lol:
3, just one small detail...., it IS film(Ilford 400), and until I examine the contact sheet with a loupe, I really don't have any idea what I actually shot!!!
I'll admit, I do look at the back of the camera after every shot, but just not much going on there. New habits just die hard!! :lol:
Vlux, thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts! ;-)
SS

I would like to know how many of you still use film. My primary interest is Black and White photography with film. It appears that there is a resurgence on the use of film. Of course I do the majority of my photography with digital cameras, but I have taken an interest in getting back to using film and processing B&W film. Of course at this time I will be scanning the negatives, although I may consider advancing to an Enlarger to do the printing.

Here is a link to explain a bit about what I'm saying.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32337778

Hello SharpShooter-
Since you are just starting out, I will share something with you that will improve every figurative image you will ever make: treat famous people like they're not, treat people who aren't famous like they are. Models and rock stars are just people. Make a soccer mom feel like she's the most beautiful woman in the world. Take the time to learn the difference between a beautiful woman and a beautiful photograph, and reread the first sentence- learn the difference between taking a picture and making a picture.

1, I'm such a rookie!
2, like most here, get me in the presence of a good looking girl, and I barely know how to act.

Hey SharpShooter-
Why so upset? You are the one who said that you were a beginner and uncomfortable photographing an attractive woman. If that was some sort inside joke with one of your buddies, how am I to know that? Regardless, my reply was not critical of you or anyone else in any way. It was a general statement about things I learned during a long career. I learn something new on this website everyday, because other members share what they have learned. I am grateful that I have access to such a wide variety of invaluable information. Many people pay tuition for type of knowledge our members generously give without cost.