B/W film - filters?

rayonline_nz · Jul 22, 2020

I have a set of 4 different filters. I understand what they convey to an image. Regarding more casual shots of say hanging around with people and taking some snaps how often you use use the filters? Also regarding just doing a bit of walkabout or sightseeing do you have a yellow filter or a filter semi permanently stuck to the lens? I guess the question is how often do you shoot B/W film without any filters?

Cheers.

BrianShaw · Jul 22, 2020

For me it’s about 50-50. As time goes on, though, using a yellow filter is getting more common. The use of any filter other than yellow is very low.

Dennis S · Jul 22, 2020

All my cameras for b&w film always have a yellow filter on them. Either a Nikkor Y48 or Hoya Y (K2). The contrast really helps on the negatives.

JensH · Jul 22, 2020

Hi,

in most cases I like the results with one of the yellow filters best, be it a light #5 in the snow or the most used #8 and #12. Only close to sunset or indoors in artificial light no filter is on.

Best
Jens

MattKing · Jul 23, 2020

One of the features of T-Max 400 is that its spectral sensitivity often results in less of a need for a yellow filter.
Outside of that, I would say that there isn't a good argument for leaving any particular filter generally in place - protective filters being the possible exception.
It is a lot better idea to use filters intentionally, with purpose.
I would recommend reading about individual filters, reviewing examples of how they affect results, experiment yourself with filters and the films you use and then, based on what you learn, use them in circumstances that are appropriate.

JensH · Jul 23, 2020

MattKing said:
...
I would recommend reading about individual filters, reviewing examples of how they affect results, experiment yourself with filters and the films you use and then, based on what you learn, use them in circumstances that are appropriate.

Dear Matt,

great advise! Should have done that much earlier instead of ruining my greens often with a #22 filter in the late 1980s...
A side by side comparison like i did here is good to learn what you like and want.

or more subtle:

Film here: Ilford PanF Plus 120

Best
Jens

markjwyatt · Jul 23, 2020

For B&W film (usually FP4+ or HP5+, but also others) outdoors, I usually have a med Y (K2 equiv ) on. In lower light to available light I go to no filter. For my Contax iia I have a deep Y (almost orange) which I like also for a bit more punch with nice skies. I have red (25A equiv) filters too, but use them rarely. I almost never use G[reen] filters (but have them). I need some neutral density filters also so I can use Hp5/Tri-X more and have a range of apertures available in sunlight.

Bill Burk · Jul 23, 2020

Traditional panchromatic film benefits from yellow filter. As has been mentioned, TMAX 100 and TMAX 400 do not need a yellow filter because they have some reduced sensitivity to blue. In practice this means with those films and without a filter, there is some contrast between wispy white clouds in the blue sky (so you can see clouds without a yellow filter). So my typical approach is to use a yellow filter when shooting Tri-X, Plus-X or Panatomic-X and no filter when shooting TMAX 100 and TMAX 400. You can get 3 of those films new.

eli griggs · Jul 23, 2020

Depending on the camera, keep t I have with me, but a first grab/every day a Y2 or next step up in a yellow.

As for cameras with no filter mount, ie. the Olympus XA, should I ever have one again, I might very well tape/place a yellow gel inside the camera, as if it was a large format, to shoot b&w film, as it's irksome to hold them or glass over the front.

Inside, I would compensate with the iso setting

Pieter12 · Jul 23, 2020

I almost always use an orange filter for black and white, rarely yellow, sometimes red or green.

B/W film - filters?

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