Changing to another supplier

TPPhotog · Apr 6, 2005

With all the recent worries, problems, issues (call them what you wish) about if our usual supplier will survive, I was wondering if anyone else has discovered they prefer a different film, paper or chemical to what they used to use?

I ask this as for years I always preferred HP5+ and it's earlier versions, however after trying several other films (just in case of the worst) I've discovered I love Tri-X 400 and it works really well with my beloved Rodinal.

Maybe as I get older my tastes have changed and I realise I've become too complacent with sticking to what I'm used to.

photomc · Apr 6, 2005

As a matter of fact Yes! When Ilford had their problems earlier I decided to try out Efke films (was already thinking about it after reading so many good responses here). Now I still love FP4+ and plan to purchase more soon, but felt it is a good thing to use more than one film or paper...found that I like both Agfa and Forte papers very much as well. Spent the first year of darkroom work (after 25 years) using Ilfrod paper (which I find I still like) and Ilford FP4+ - now can experiment with different materials with a bit more comfort. Next...Pyrocat-HD. For me it's part of the fun..plus hope that it will enable me to KNOW how a particular film/paper combo might look when I go out looking for a certain look.

Earl Dunbar · Apr 6, 2005

I started another thread similar to this. I have returned to photography after several years of inactivity, so need to choose films all over again. Not only will that require testing and calibration (as I did previously), but now the "will the manufactuer still be producing film for the foreseeable future" question is very germaine.

That said, I have come to a different conclusion. While I have used and loved Tri-X, and I think it will probably be the last B&W product Kodak continues to produce, on the other hand, Ilford has publicly stated they want to be the "last man standing" in B&W. Since I shoot both 4x5 & 35mm, I am going to standarise on Ilford for sheet film (pending testing, of course), and a variety for 35mm. I'm giving Agfa APX100 a good run for 35mm, along with Ilford films, TriX, etc. I don't know if I will settle on a couple of "standards" for 35mm for a bit. The supply situation makes me a bit nervous.

Earl

Bob F. · Apr 6, 2005

Sometimes it works, sometimes not... I decided to try Forte Polywarmtone as Ilford's uncertainty continued. Two weeks later, Forte went into receivership...

Just tried to order some more and Silverprint don't have any 12x16 for "at least 4 weeks". I can have as much MG WT as I like....

If anyone has it in for Kodak, let me know and I'll order some Polymax....

Cheers, Bob.

Jeremy · Apr 6, 2005

My suggestion (if you can) is to buy in bulk and freeze it. This is what I am planning to do when I run out of my current stock of 5x7 film: buy ~500 sheets of Efke 100 or FP4 (for me this is a lot). I'm not sure which yet, but because I develop in trays the soft emulsion of Efke is making me lean towards FP4 (which I know I already love the results of in Pyrocat).

For 35mm this means buying a bunch of bulk rolls.

This way you lock in the price now because prices never go down....

TPPhotog · Apr 6, 2005

I still prefer Ilfords Pan F and FP4+, but my HP5+ will stay in the fridge now as a back-up. I'll have to start stocking up on the Tri-X 400 without my wife finding out as she caught me today with a Brownie six-20 Model C I found in a local store this morning(but it was so cheap LOL)

Earl Dunbar · Apr 6, 2005

I never got Pan F down properly, but I am determined to get it right! I have a lovely shot of the Virgin River in Zion National Park (Utah) which could have used more contrast, but the midrange tonal scale was very attractive. And while I have used both Rodinal and HC-110 heavily in the past, I have heard very good things about Ilford DD-X, and am planning to use it for some Agfa that I have waiting for processing.

I also plan to stockpile and freeze once it becomes necessary.

Earl

TPPhotog · Apr 6, 2005

Earl Dunbar said:
I never got Pan F down properly, but I am determined to get it right! I have a lovely shot of the Virgin River in Zion National Park (Utah) which could have used more contrast, but the midrange tonal scale was very attractive. And while I have used both Rodinal and HC-110 heavily in the past, I have heard very good things about Ilford DD-X, and am planning to use it for some Agfa that I have waiting for processing.

I also plan to stockpile and freeze once it becomes necessary.

Earl

I used to use DD-X for everything, but after I souped my first roll in Rodinal the grain was too fluffy for me with the DD-X. It's always worth a try though and good if you ever push film.

Pan F is my favourite slow film and I always have plenty in my bag and the fridge.

mikeg · Apr 7, 2005

When Ilford went into administration, I too decided to try different companies for paper and chemicals. Brought some Kentmere paper and got them to send me some samples of their Art paper. On the whole I really like them. The fibre warmtone is really nice and it's nearly half the price of MGIV. Tryed Kentona for lith -- lovely! Also, the art papers are really interesting especially Art Classic.

I think if I was a professional and cost wasn't an issue I would choose MGIV Warmtone, but I'm not, so I'll stick with the Kentmere stuff for the moment.

Ilford chemicals are still very hard to get here at the moment so I've switched to Fotospeed for paper dev and fix -- Fine no problems at all.

Mike

Peter Schrager · Apr 7, 2005

Question

Mikeg-did you by chance try the new graded FB BROMIDE paper? I'm interested to find out if someone has used it and how good it is.
Tahnks,Peter

arigram · Apr 7, 2005

Indeed.
The troubles of Ilford that has been my main supplier of everything did help me "open up" to other brands even though I did try a couple prior to that.
Main thing was that I really wanted to investigate different tools to see what I like and don't. Ilford is the only player of BW stuff in Crete but even those supplies are extremely limited and getting worse.
So, I wanted to be able to choose without confining myself.

Tim Rudman played also an importand role by giving detailed information and opinions in his articles and books about paper. Plus, all you guys in APUG!
Somebody said Rodinal/Agfa paper/Pyro/Efke films/etc was great? Well, that is enough to intrigue me about trying it out.

mikeg · Apr 7, 2005

peters said:
Mikeg-did you by chance try the new graded FB BROMIDE paper? I'm interested to find out if someone has used it and how good it is.
Tahnks,Peter

Hi Peter,

No I haven't tried the graded FB bromide. I've tried most of the others -- Fineprint VC Fibre, Fineprint VC Fibre Warmtone, All of the Art range (except the RC one), Kentona and VC Select RC.

As I mentioned before, on the whole I really liked them. The VC Fibre papers and the VC Select RC are probably not as good as Ilford, Forte, Agfa etc, but they are very good value (at least here in the UK). The art papers are very interesting, Art Classic is lovely, Art Document is single weight, rough textured surface (had problems drying it though as it keeps wrinkling). Kentona is fantastic for lith, lovely peachy colours.

Cheers

Mike

Glenn Mathison · Apr 7, 2005

Freeze?

Jeremy Moore said:
My suggestion (if you can) is to buy in bulk and freeze it.

Just a question on long term storage of bulk film etc.

When you say Freeze, do you really mean store below 0c? Or is any old fridge fine. I have a bar fridge I am considering turning into a film fridge. Any issues or tricks? Does it only go for film or does it prolong paper life as well?

Glenn

Neal · Apr 7, 2005

I'm sticking with my favorites until they are not available any more. I occasionally try other film/paper/chemical combinations for fun though.

Neal Wydra

Peter Schrager · Apr 7, 2005

Freezer

Glenyd- yes I believe Jeremy spoke of Freezers. I have several small food freezers filled with material i.e. film and paper. Some of the newer papers will not keep over a year. Always put the paper back in the freezer after I'm finished printing. This way it doesn't lose any printing speed. .

Mike -thanks for the heads up about the Kentmere but I'm still waiting for an answer about the Bromide/Graded
Regards, Peter

titrisol · Apr 7, 2005

I have always had the philosophy to do my best to whatever I have available.
I have used APX100 as my workhorse but ordered soem Efke 100 and Love it!

I'll keep using whichever film is available.

eagleowl · Apr 7, 2005

I used to use Ilford film and paper,but I've discovered I prefer Foma film,and I'm about to try Tetenal paper.

fhovie · Apr 8, 2005

Earl Dunbar said:
I never got Pan F down properly, but I am determined to get it right! I have a lovely shot of the Virgin River in Zion National Park (Utah) which could have used more contrast, but the midrange tonal scale was very attractive. And while I have used both Rodinal and HC-110 heavily in the past, I have heard very good things about Ilford DD-X, and am planning to use it for some Agfa that I have waiting for processing.

I also plan to stockpile and freeze once it becomes necessary.

Earl

I did some wonderful portraits for a client in Pan F in Microdol - I shot them in 6x6 and wanted grainless 16x20. I used standard N development and used pretty flat lighting. The results were very nice - smooth tonality and grainless enlargements. Happy client - happy me -

Changing to another supplier

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