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Bergger, where art thou?

randyB

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Sep 7, 2005
Messages
556
Location
SE Mid-Tennessee, USA
Format
Multi Format
I have been thinking about trying the Panchro 400 films (35mm, 120, 4x5) but it seems that they have been out of stock at B&H for some time now. Even the Bergger site shows "out of stock". Is there a problem with this film or is it just that the demand is so great that Bergger can't make it fast enough? I know I should be able to get the film at other places but B&H has free shipping if I order more than $49 worth. Does anyone have any real info as to why they are "out of stock"?
 
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I have tried it in 4x5 and 8x10 and I really like it. It has a very high b+f which surprised me at first, but I got used to it. It has a really nice tonal range and some people are using it as a less expensive version of Tri-X.
 
Doc W said:
I have tried it in 4x5 and 8x10 and I really like it. It has a very high b+f which surprised me at first, but I got used to it. It has a really nice tonal range and some people are using it as a less expensive version of Tri-X.
Click to expand...

It is not cheaper right now (at least not for 35mm or 120).

("b+f" = ? base+fog?)
 
markjwyatt said:
It is not cheaper right now (at least not for 35mm or 120).

("b+f" = ? base+fog?)
Click to expand...

I should have mentioned that I was referring to 8x10. Bergger Panchro400 in 8x10 is 109 USD for 25 sheets while Tri-x is 99.95 USD for only 10 sheets. Huge difference

Yes, b+f = base plus fog
 
Last time I checked (two days ago) Freestyle had it in stock. I use it in 35mm and 120. Good stuff!

Steve
 

It’s probably out of stock because it’s an extremely slow mover. I used to sell it on Amazon and made the mistake of buying 200 rolls of 35mm and 100 rolls of 120. It took over a year to move and I had the price set so I’d just break even. Other films, 100 rolls will move in less than a month.
 
Well, to be a dissenting voice here, I was actually disappointed with it. I shot some in 5x7 and in addition to the noted high base plus fog, it had significant (but not ruinous) frilling when used with Pyrocat HD. I'll stick to my known quantities of Ilford FP4+ and Fomapan 200.
 


What's Frilling?
 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "frilling"?

I agree it should work as their website mentions it can be developed in any B&W developer with excellent results; presumably though, they didn't test with what you used.

My experience is that it has always given me results that are better than my standard 5x4" sheet film, which is Ilford FP4+. I always use D76 1:1 and these days process my 4x5" film in my SP-445 tank.

Mick.
 
Frilling is the emulsion coming off the base at the edges. Was apparently a major manufacturing headache with glass plates in the distant past.
 
Lachlan, thanks for that. After reading your reply, I now remember this frilling business. I believe I have read it on this site before; memory loss.

Up until 1975 we were coating our own B&W glass plates to either Tabloid or Broadsheet size, in a graphic at house; cannot ever remember losing the emulsion at the edges. But then again we only required the plate to hold until we had contact printed the amount of prints required; sometimes hundreds. Then the glass was cleaned off and re-used.

Mick.
 

I shot a bit of it in 35mm and wasn’t that happy with it either. Looking at it up close, it very obviously had different grain sizes like Bergger claims, but for smaller formats, it just has the effect of making it look super grainy. I can see how that might impart a unique look with larger formats, but for 35mm, it just doesn’t work nearly as well.

I’ve got a handful 120 rolls sitting in my freezer waiting to be shot, so I’ll get them shot when I have something that will benefit from the emulsion.
 
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