Bergger 400 Plus BW Film

[braxus]

Bergger has a new version out of their 400 speed B&W film. I have used the previous version and also Forte 400 which I'm told was the same film. I have read the new version has fine grain, of which the old version did not. Can anyone comment on the new film and how it compares to the old? Who makes this new film and was is it rebranded from?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Unfortunately, Forte closed its doors in 2006.

Bergger BRF-400 Plus appeared some 3 years ago.
Read here in French: http://www.summilux.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52726
It isn't a re-branded film. It is a collaboration between Bergger, Filmotec, Harman (Ilford) and Labo-Argentique.

There is a new ISO 400 Bergger film: Pancro 400.
Search this forum. It was presented here by Bergger.

 

[braxus]

You sure? Someone suggested all it is- is Orwo 74 which is a Cine film. How does the look of the new 400 compare to the old one from mid 2000s?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

It is a collaboration between Bergger, Filmotec, Harman (Ilford) and Labo-Argentique.

Filmotec is the company behind the production of ORWO film, just like Harman Technology is behind Ilford Photo.
About its properties, I can't say anything as I haven't tried it.

 

[pmargolis]

It's not a bad film, although I can't say it's better than Tri-X or HP5. I shot a half-dozen or so rolls of it last year and found that the film worked best -- for me -- at an EI of 320 in HC110 Dilution H (1:63). I wasn't as happy with it in 1:50 Adonal/Rodinal, but that's largely a subjective opinion. Probably I would have experimented further if the film weren't more expensive than the Kodak and Ilford 400-speed films that I regularly use, and I couldn't see any need to change.