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Black & White film
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Mar 13, 2016 16:28:11   #
Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN
 
aellman wrote:
I always found winding the film onto the Nikkor developing reel to be life's great physical challenge. BTW, Ilford films are excellent. >>>AL

Threading film onto a standard stainless steel reel is a piece of cake, once you get the hang of it. You can always tell if something isn't right just by "feel".

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Mar 13, 2016 17:08:00   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Ilford XP-2 is a black & white film that processes in C-41 color negative film chemistry. You should be able to take it anywhere that processes color negative film,
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/product.asp?n=11

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Mar 13, 2016 17:45:02   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Ilford XP-2 is a black & white film that processes in C-41 color negative film chemistry. You should be able to take it anywhere that processes color negative film,
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/product.asp?n=11


I tried that once, and I felt like I just didn't get as good a tonality, especially in the highlights, that I did from conventional B&W film.

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Mar 13, 2016 18:05:55   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
Blasthoff wrote:
Threading film onto a standard stainless steel reel is a piece of cake, once you get the hang of it. You can always tell if something isn't right just by "feel".


Yes, I finally got there. Absolutely right... you can feel if it starts to bend, interrupting the smooth rotation.

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Mar 13, 2016 18:07:00   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
I tried that once, and I felt like I just didn't get as good a tonality, especially in the highlights, that I did from conventional B&W film.


I agree. I used it once, and did not find it equal to B&W film.

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Mar 13, 2016 18:41:57   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
aellman wrote:
I agree. I used it once, and did not find it equal to B&W film.


It IS a different look, for sure.
I used it a lot for jobs, pretty fine grain.
Been a really long time since I used it.
The fact that it can be easily processed is why I suggested it.

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Mar 13, 2016 19:06:56   #
Quixdraw Loc: x
 
Ilford FP 2 is C 41 process which is done in many places. It isn't Tri X, but it isn't bad. That and a scanner, and you're good to go. Walgreens (and others) will develop scan the film for you. Not custom, but affordable, if just for fun.

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Mar 14, 2016 08:03:07   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Captain Jim wrote:
I am thinking about pulling out my old 35 mm film camera..what is a great film on todays market and where could I ever get it processed..?


I've been using Ilford film for some years now. Most photo labs will process it.

If you really want the thrill of accomplishment, for around $100, you can purchase the equipment you need to process it yourself.
--Bob

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Mar 14, 2016 08:54:57   #
twowindsbear
 
Blasthoff wrote:
Threading film onto a standard stainless steel reel is a piece of cake, once you get the hang of it. You can always tell if something isn't right just by "feel".


:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

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Mar 14, 2016 09:15:02   #
eshep Loc: Belen NM
 
B&W is a lot of work to get the good results you want. There's determining the exposure of your negative onto the paper; burning in and dodging highlights and shadows, equipment, enlarger, chemicals and bottles, developing trays (at least 3) a print washer, timer, etc.
If you want to work at being creative, it's a fun medium.
I think most modern digital cameras can be set to shoot or provide B&W pics right in the camera. (I haven't tried that, yet) You can probably post process them in the computer, too.
You need to learn the 10 step grey scale, and how to manipulate that for the proper exposures of your prints. (Ansel Adams was a master with the grey scale).
You'll also need and absolutely light-tight working room, like a large closet or somewhere you can set up enlarger and trays, with a near by laundry sink. It must be absolutely light tight. Even the slightest hint of light can spoil film. You may use a safe light when printing, though.
I don't want to spoil your fun. I had a great time being creative in my darkroom, but it is WORK. Good luck.

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Mar 14, 2016 09:33:53   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
eshep wrote:
B&W is a lot of work to get the good results you want. There's determining the exposure of your negative onto the paper; burning in and dodging highlights and shadows, equipment, enlarger, chemicals and bottles, developing trays (at least 3) a print washer, timer, etc.
If you want to work at being creative, it's a fun medium.
I think most modern digital cameras can be set to shoot or provide B&W pics right in the camera. (I haven't tried that, yet) You can probably post process them in the computer, too.
You need to learn the 10 step grey scale, and how to manipulate that for the proper exposures of your prints. (Ansel Adams was a master with the grey scale).
You'll also need and absolutely light-tight working room, like a large closet or somewhere you can set up enlarger and trays, with a near by laundry sink. It must be absolutely light tight. Even the slightest hint of light can spoil film. You may use a safe light when printing, though.
I don't want to spoil your fun. I had a great time being creative in my darkroom, but it is WORK. Good luck.
B&W is a lot of work to get the good results y... (show quote)


If you shoot B&W in camera with digital, you give up the ability in post to precisely control how the colors translate into grey tones, like using various color filters with B&W film.

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Mar 14, 2016 09:37:41   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
If you shoot B&W in camera with digital, you give up the ability in post to precisely control how the colors translate into grey tones, like using various color filters with B&W film.


My D700 has a BW mode, with filters. It works rather well, but only in jpg. So, I prefer to convert in post.
--Bob

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Mar 14, 2016 10:08:17   #
BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky
 
Captain Jim wrote:
I am thinking about pulling out my old 35 mm film camera..what is a great film on todays market and where could I ever get it processed..?


These people do a nice job.

http://www.fulltonephoto.com/#top

Kodak Tri-X might be something to try. B&H sells it.

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Mar 14, 2016 10:11:49   #
Jim Bob
 
Captain Jim wrote:
I am thinking about pulling out my old 35 mm film camera..what is a great film on todays market and where could I ever get it processed..?


Ilford. Don't know about processing. Always did it myself in the
"old" days.

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Mar 14, 2016 10:17:04   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
JohnSwanda wrote:
I have a film scanner to digitize some of my old B&W negs, but the quality of prints will never equal darkroom prints. I especially found that negs which were underexposed or overexposed that I could pull good prints in the darkroom wouldn't make decent scans. I can't see shooting B&W film just to scan it.


With a decent scanner and the right knowledge and technique, you can scan B&W negs and make better prints on a high end inkjet than was ever possible with silver halide processes. That's been true for over a decade!

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