Anyone Want Return of Panatomic X?

Heading out right now, really, with two rolls of Panatomic-X for the week. Realizing that's not enough, I'm grabbing a roll of Plus X

 

TMY400 is becoming one of my favorite films of all time, in all formats. I use TMX100 mostly in the lab for unsharp masking etc. But when I don't need the speed or deep shadow detail, I shoot FP4 in 4x5 and 8x10 to save money. ACROS is another favorite, though it too is getting expensive in sheets. Was out in extreme contrast intricate details in the woods two days ago, but breezy too. Only a film like TMY can handle that we'll - excellent detail, long scale, and reasonably fast speed.

 

There aren't any stores that carry TMY2 it up here (Huntington Lake) so I'll have to shoot the Panatomic-X

One funny thing about it, it's long toe makes me comfortable shooting it at 32 while most other films I prefer to downrate 2/3 stop.

It felt strange shooting it handheld today but I left my tripod in the tent and didn't get back up there til now. (ps I left the tripod here last year and Dan found it and got it back to me.)

I know it's not high wilderness here at Scout camp, but it's way better than city for me.

 

It's also getting gone (in sheets). Discontinued.

 

If I had rolls of Panatomic X, why would I want to return it?

 

You may return it to me.

I treat TMAX 100 and Panatomic-X the same, they are "high resolution", "fine grain" black and white film to me. I have already proven to myself they are usable, interchangeably, for my 35mm "better quality" work.

 

Panatomic-X is one of the least known Kodak 35mm films i would say, my dad who in the 80s shot black and white during winter preferred Panatomic-X 32 and Plus-X Pan 125 to the Tri-X which had more grain.

 

I am considering Ferrania P30 as a possible substitute. In my experience Ilford Pan F and EFE 25 are both too contrasty for my tastes.

 

I've seen some scans of P30 and they sure have delivered a good film, not too contrasty and very fine grain, surprising since it's supposedly a more old fashioned high silver content emulsion.

 

sigh
Just means more wasted silver, to no good effect.

 

I believe that the "silver rich" notion was debunked as a marketing ploy.

 

A great ploy non the less.

 

Panatomic gave me some of the best BW shots I ever took. Both in negative as well as reversal processed. I still have 2 100' rolls in the freezer. And one half bulk roll that is fogged like a SOB, and still makes great photos.

 

No, I used it when it was available and like other films better.
I would buy HIE in 4x5 or 120 though. A sad day when Kodak discontinued that!

 

YES!

 

+++1! I've got a bunch in the freezer but I'd love to see fresh Pan X on the market. To me it's much cleaner than Tmaxx which Kodak decided was the do all end all.

 

I don't miss it. There are better films available today.

 

No. I'm very pleased with the current TMY and 400TX products.
None of the old stuff is anywhere near as good as these two modern films stocks.
I'd like to see Kodak fix its quality issues (with roll films) and bring down retail prices of its current offerings.

If I were to wish for Kodak to revive a film, I'd wish for Ektachrome E100G in 4x5 sheets

 

Having used Panatomic-X back when you could get it at every good camera shop and having shot way to few rolls since then I would actually more appreciate a good Plus-X replacement at no more than 1 to 1.5 dollars per roll with 100 foot rolls for 20-25 dollars.

 

Since they think they're going to get back into multi-layer films, I wish they'd pump out some of the Greatest Film of All Time--Verichrome Pan. And I wish they'd do it in all formats this time, too.

 

I could not agree with you more! Verichome Pan was an incredible film. Some people may have dismissed it as a "Box Camera" film, but I loved the results I got using it in my various TLR's and other MF cameras. I liked to shoot it at ASA 100 and develop it in HC-110 diluted 1+15, AKA "Dilution H".

 

Kodak is too busy futzing around with bitcoin miners and cryptocurrency to focus on something fundamental like film. This is all pie in the sky.

 

I recall shooting it in my Komaflex S. I almost certainly processed it in Beutler's formula (my Father and I rolled our own) which was my standard for 35mm Plus-X. IIRC the Verichrome gave nice results, smooth tonality and good sharpness. I'd be happy to see it back for my MF cameras, and I'd welcome the return of Plus-X. I wish that 127 film were much cheaper; the Koma needs shutter work - the auto diaphragm won't close down - and I've been told the cost of repair is considerable. Anyone know of a good shop for its repair?

 

Can’t be fogged.
Did you know for 35mm Panatomic-X ... base tint (for anti-halation) is about 0.25

 

Just look at that Base Density line - looks like 0.25 to me