4x5 Equivalent to Fuji Neopan 400?

brian steinberger · Aug 19, 2007

I have recently found my love in medium format for Fuji Neopan 400 developed in xtol 1:1. Unfortunately, Fuji doesn't make it in 4x5. Actually, just recently I found out that Neopan 400 is a traditional emulsion. I had no idea. I had always figured it was a modern emulsion based on Acros. Anyway.. does anyone know which current 400 speed 4x5 emulsion (HP5, Tri-x, Tmax 400) behaves most similar to Fuji Neopan 400?

fschifano · Aug 19, 2007

Probably gonna be HP5+. Tri-X only comes in the 320 version in that size, and it's not the same.

Dug · Aug 19, 2007

Hmm... I would think HP5 as well. I have been working in the darkroom this evening with two 4X5 negatives of the same scene - HP5+ and Tmax 400 (developed in Pyrocat though). The HP5+ is certainly behaving more like a traditional negative in the tonal qualities.

This probably does not answer your question, but I would look into HP5+ before I would go after Tmax 400. YMMV

Doug

Tom Stanworth · Aug 19, 2007

I would say try both HP5 and TriX. TriX seems to be closer tonally to my eye but dont know how different the 320 version looks to the 400 I use in 35mm and 120.

And yes, aren't traditional emulsions beautiful.......If you are prepared to give up speed, Efke PL100 and Foma 100/200 might also give a look that you like. There seems to be debate as to whether the foma 200 is traditional or not but many love the look. I prefer TriX and APX100, with FP4+ thrown in over the Tmax/Delta/Acros lot. Hp5+ can look rather modern and maybe this is related to the fact that technical people much more experienced than I say it has a rather straight line. HP5+ is a great film, only I found I preferred TriX....a bit.

Mick Fagan · Aug 19, 2007

I use Neopan 400 a real lot in 35mm land and tonality wise, the closest 4x5" film to that, is FP4 + from what my negatives and prints are saying.

I know you are after a nominal 400 film conventional film, but HP5 + just doesn't have the vibrancy Neopan 400 has. I haven't used other European films so I cannot comment.

Mick.

brian steinberger · Aug 19, 2007

My first thought was HP5 as well. I do have some experience with this film and found it kind of muddy. I know other people have found this as well, but then again I didn't really give it enough time to test, and get used to. I've heard that the closest match to neopan 400 is tri-x, but the 400 speed not the 320 TXP. So that leaves me with HP5. Maybe I could try a box and run some serious tests. Thanks for suggestions!

Rolleijoe · Aug 20, 2007

brian steinberger said:
I have recently found my love in medium format for Fuji Neopan 400 developed in xtol 1:1. Unfortunately, Fuji doesn't make it in 4x5. Actually, just recently I found out that Neopan 400 is a traditional emulsion. I had no idea. I had always figured it was a modern emulsion based on Acros. Anyway.. does anyone know which current 400 speed 4x5 emulsion (HP5, Tri-x, Tmax 400) behaves most similar to Fuji Neopan 400?

I have 3 boxes of Neopan 400 4x5 in the freezer. Already used the other 2 I'd purchased back in 2002. Fortunately, this film is still available in 4x5, but only in Japan.

We were livin on Maui at the time, and I was able to go directly to the Fuji distributor, and get what I needed. Yes, Neopan 400 is a traditional emulsion, and if you're looking for the same high-speed type of film, your choices are limited. Most people said Neopan 400 is what Tri-X would look like w/out the grain.

Since you seem to like the Fuji look, try the Acros 4x5 (although I always process my Fuji in Rodinal).

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 20, 2007

Any idea of where one might purchase Neopan 400 in 4x5 sheets today?

- Thomas

Rolleijoe said:
I have 3 boxes of Neopan 400 4x5 in the freezer. Already used the other 2 I'd purchased back in 2002. Fortunately, this film is still available in 4x5, but only in Japan.

We were livin on Maui at the time, and I was able to go directly to the Fuji distributor, and get what I needed. Yes, Neopan 400 is a traditional emulsion, and if you're looking for the same high-speed type of film, your choices are limited. Most people said Neopan 400 is what Tri-X would look like w/out the grain.

Since you seem to like the Fuji look, try the Acros 4x5 (although I always process my Fuji in Rodinal).

P C Headland · Aug 21, 2007

Not sure that it is really comparable to Neopan 400, but the other old school ISO400 4x5 film is ClassicPan 400. Pretty cheap too. I know it's available from Retrophotographic in the UK, but I'm not sure where else you can get it.

Rolleijoe · Aug 21, 2007

P C Headland said:
Not sure that it is really comparable to Neopan 400, but the other old school ISO400 4x5 film is ClassicPan 400. Pretty cheap too. I know it's available from Retrophotographic in the UK, but I'm not sure where else you can get it.

"Classicpan 400" was Forte which has gone under.

Rolleijoe · Aug 21, 2007

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Any idea of where one might purchase Neopan 400 in 4x5 sheets today?

- Thomas

Might try the Fuji store on Maui, I don't have their # any longer, but it shouldn't be hard to find thru the online information services. If I run across it, will sent it to you. The manager's name is Linda, and she was always very helpful.

I shot a lot of 120 Neopan 400 while living there, (mostly because it was so convenient to just drive over and pick it up. Found I liked it best in Rodinal, but that's just my 2¢.

brian steinberger · Aug 22, 2007

Why doesn't Fuji just market their black and white films in 4x5 loose sheets in the US? Doesn't make any sense to me. I'd be all over Neopan 400 in 4x5 if I could get my hands on it. I know that megaperls carries lots of film in Japan. I didn't see the Neopan 400 emulsion on their site. Rolleijoe, are you sure their still producing this emulsion in 4x5?

GeorgesGiralt · Aug 22, 2007

Hi !
I asked Dick Rössler of Megaperl yesterday. Neopan 400 is not availlable anymore in sheet.

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 22, 2007

Thanks for the feedback, Georges. At least it's better to know. I wish it was different. I would have made that my only film.
- Thomas

GeorgesGiralt · Aug 23, 2007

So as time goes, we are only left with HP5, Tmax 400 and Tri-X (which is a 320, not a 400) .
There is no more FortePan 400 and Ilford does not make Delta400 in sheet.
I've very good results with Tmax 400 in HC110.

4x5 Equivalent to Fuji Neopan 400?

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