Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

The FE and FE-2 are fantastic cameras.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I used to deal with a place called 'Freestyle Sales' out of California, lots of interesting roll films, mention it because I still get an occasional e-mail from 'Freestyle' for roll film, sounds like interesting stuff going on in experimental types of film stock now.
Found the link, lots of brands

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/1-Film

Enjoy, Bob.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

When I was teaching there at the U of Alaska. we found that Olympus, Minolta, and Canon seemed to fair the cold better than other brands. They were built like tanks. I do admit that I had a particular fondness for Roillie. But my go to camera in extreme cold was my Exakta. Strictly mechanical. No batteries to die in the cold. Film... Panatomic X but it isn't made anymore. Freestyle photo is the place to go for a large assortment of films. I do like the Ilford products. Happy Shooting

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

My recommendation is buy a few rolls of Ilfords XP2400 B&W film and develop yourself in a B&W developer routine. It's been years ago since i did it myself but I do recall using Microdol X, the only B&W developer I used. The normal routine for using XP2400 is C-41 but I was always unhappy with the results I got from using the one-hour drugstore's results in C-41 and sought another way to do it myself.

One possibility was recommended to me. Do it yourself in a C-41 home kit and omit the bleach part of the C-41 routine. However, one other possibility was recommended; do it myself in my favorite Microdol X diluted liquid (sold as a concentrated liquid then) that I had on the shelf in my darkroom all the time. I experimented based on some others recommendations and found that I could get great results especially when I rated the film at ISO 32, the same as Panatomic X was rated.

I don't recall exactly what time and temp I ended up with then but suspect it was close to what I used to develop Panatomic X, ie. 72 deg. F @ 5 minutes. In any event. you should investigate what Ilford itself has to say about developing XP2 in B&W developers since I do know I and others had great results and amazing photos especially when looking for something B&W at low ISOs to enable use of wide open lenses.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

This has all been good stuff that I will pass on to my grandson. He's been talking about the possibility of taking up shooting with film for awhile, now, so once he gets started, I suspect he'll be in it all the way. I've been passing on a lot of this to him to give hime some info and ammuntion for when/if he gets started. Personally, I think he'll enjoy shooting with film, and I suspect it won't be long before he arms himself with a darkroom set up. I know darkroom equipment can be had very reasonably on eBay and Craigslist. I sure appreciate all the good feedback.

4X5er

I used to shoot Kodak B&W films (predominately Tri-X), but now Ilford HP5. Nearly all my film photos are large format so grain on enlargements is not a factor. Best guess, an enlargement of much greater than an 8 X 10 35 mm neg grain structure will likely be prominent. Not a problem if that's a look you desire. Foma Pan 400 (available from Freestyle Photographic Supplies) is a decent film; my film tests indicate it does not develop as much contrast as HP5 at least when developed in D-76. Be forewarned that manufacture's quoted film speeds are generally higher than the actual film speed, i.e. HP5 actual film speed for my workflow is ASA 320. Good luck, glad to hear he wants to shoot film.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I would highly recommend he consider a medium format camera, perhaps a TLR, over a 35mm. Not only are the images potentially much better, the film is much easier to develop than 35mm film IMO, and the cameras are probably less expensive. Regarding film, it's pretty hard to beat TMax 100 (I think it's still available in medium format).

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

He's a diehard Nikon fan, so unless Nikon has some medium format film camera out there, he'll likely stick with 35mm film format. But a Pentax 645 would be a good choice, if brand loyalty isn't important.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I like the relatively technologically advanced Kodak T-Max - especially the 400 TMY in larger formats ( 8X10, 4X5) - simple easy to use and for me today, simple/easy is better. The 100 is nice in the smaller format - sorry, seems to be many Kodak haters here. I have shot Ilford stuff also - but that was before T-Max......

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bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

On that thought, the best roll film camera if not the best camera I ever had was a Crown Graphic Press, 135mm lens, 4x5'" Grafloc back shot sheet film, 120 roll (RH10 back) or Polaroid, always wanted a Century but never got it. Had a Mamaya TLR did not like it, still have a TLR 120, probably my second camera ever, I think I have to agree 120 Roll is probably the best way to go if just starting out with film, lot bigger printable area compared to 35mm, TLR gives you a 60x45 mm area as opposed to 24x36 mm from 35mm cameras, Bob.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

- reputedly, Salgado used the Pentax 645 for much of the GENESIS book.

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regularguy55

The Canon AE-1 Program has been my favorite film camera of all time. I have shot a lot of B&W and continue to do some today with the same camera bought new in late 1980s for son’s high school photography class. He enjoyed and used it all the time. You can still find some good deals online (not produced anymore) and the “retro camera” look is very nice. Still enjoy shooting B&W today on both film and digital.

regularguy55

yep !!

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I may be motivated to take my Pentax MX in to have the light seals replaced and just have it given a good going over. I hope I can find batteries for it. I've never done much in black and white, but perhaps I just might head in that direction and see what happens.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

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