CHEAP QUALITY FILM

ntenny · Jul 20, 2011

They don't make the Kentmere films in 120, do they? If so, that would be another option.

I shot a few rolls of Kentmere 100 last year, when the price of FP4+ had spiked, and felt like it was OK for the price but noticeably inferior to its "higher-class" cousin.

-NT

michaelbsc · Jul 20, 2011

lxdude said:
Welcome to APUG, hairday.
Sooo..are you a good hairday or a bad hairday?

Does that joke make sense outside North America?

perkeleellinen · Jul 20, 2011

HP5 in 120 is £3.48 at Ag Photographic: http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/hp5-400-120-roll-film-63-p.asp

dugrant153 · Jul 20, 2011

I remember hearing Steven Schaub from his Figital Revolution podcast mention that overexposed Fuji Superia store film is actually pretty good.
I've been using Fuji Superia 400 and 200 as my go-to cheap film (for 35mm). It's readily available at London Drugs and other stores and I can buy in larger packages at package price. Combine that with a reasonable C-41 lab and I'm good to go!

The trick? Overexpose that sucker. I expose Fuji Superia 400 at EI200 (going more towards EI250 now since it gets a little oversaturated sometimes)and Superia 200 at about EI100.

Jon Butler · Jul 20, 2011

Even in the UK I think that Ilford FP4 & HP5 is the best value film you can buy.
You can find cheaper film and have tried some sheet film from Europe but to me it was not fit for purpose and poor value.
J.

michaelbsc · Jul 20, 2011

Thomas Bertilsson said:
...
The attached picture is a print in 9" x 12" size, Foma 400 film, rated at EI 200, and processed in Edwal 12 chemistry. Most people think it's from a medium format negative. ...
The 400 also exhibits some pretty interesting halation when used in situations where very bright and very dark areas meet in the negative. This gives a type of 'glow' that is reminiscent of infrared film use to an extent. Some people like this, and others detest it.

Excellent work. This metered for EI 200 you said? Did you use in camera average weighted? Or a spot and choose a Zone 5 target? Develop pull one stop, or regular time?

hairday · Jul 20, 2011

Thanks everyone for your responses, its all very useful information. Sorry Simon (Harman) if I was incorrect regarding price increases on Ilford products but I was told this by a retailer this morning.

mwdake · Jul 20, 2011

the bargain of the decade is - Fuji Neopan 100 Acros.

Isn't that the truth, and i really like it.

wblynch · Jul 20, 2011

ntenny said:
They don't make the Kentmere films in 120, do they?

You are correct, sir !

Now I know why I haven't tried any yet.

Marvin · Jul 20, 2011

mwdake said:
Isn't that the truth, and i really like it.

I will have to second that the Acros 100 in 120 is a great deal.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 20, 2011

michaelbsc said:
Excellent work. This metered for EI 200 you said? Did you use in camera average weighted? Or a spot and choose a Zone 5 target? Develop pull one stop, or regular time?

Michael,

Thanks! I don't use the zone system. Shadow detail is overrated, in my opinion.

I just use an incident meter at the 'important' piece of the frame and point it towards the camera.
EI 200 is 'normal' for me, so nothing special in processing. Just let the lens do its job and the enlarger help me put it in print.

- Thomas

ROL · Jul 20, 2011

Here are my observations on the state of 120 films. I am looking forward to trying FOMA, but am not optimistic about quality given the above posts, and other films of its ilk.

The generalized comments about the 135 and 120 being of approximate equivalent quality, given the same film, are certainly not what I've experienced, assuming you use as much of the 120 dimension as practical (i.e., 6x6 or 6x7). The difference in tonality in enlargements up to at least 20x24 may often be greater than the jump from MF (120) to LF (4x5, 5x7).

marcmarc · Jul 20, 2011

I'm simply shooting less and have eliminated Delta 3200 from my "go to" list of films I use on a regular basis. Here in the US, Adox/Efke are not budget priced, in fact for awhile, they were more expensive then ilford films but now they are slightly less expensive. I agree, it's hard to beat Fuji Acros 100 for value and consistent quality. This is especially true in 135 under the Freestyle brand Legacy Pro which unfortunately has been discontinued. I have about 50 rolls left that will probably be gone by the end of summer. I did pick up a few rolls of Arista Edu in 135 and 120 which is re-branded Foma. So far I like Acros better in 135, I haven't printed any of the 120 yet. I heard it was very similar to Agfa APX 100 so I was eager to try them out. I do really wish that I could use Adox/Efke more. I really like the look of the 100 and 50 speeds in 120 (the 50 I find to be sharper then Ilford Pan F+) but I've had a number of rolls where the first exposure was right on the very edge of the strip. One could even see a transparent band across the top where the tape holding the backing paper used to be. This was not every roll, but enough where I thought that given the price per roll these days, it was no longer worth it.

wblynch · Jul 21, 2011

The Fomapan 400 in 120 is very different than the 135. Mine came out with an aqua base. Very lovely tonality. I find the 400 in 135 to be grainy and contrasty. Nice still, but different.

2F/2F · Jul 21, 2011

If you can manage working with a 100 film instead of a 400 film, Fuji Acros in 120 format is an outstanding deal. It is under $3 a roll here. It may not be as relatively cheap where you are, though.

thegman · Jul 21, 2011

Hi hairday, in the UK, a quick look on AG Photographic puts HP5+ at £3.48 for a roll of 120.You can get Rollei film for £2.89. ADOX and Efke also have some cheaper films.

I like Rollei films, regardless of price I often prefer them to Kodak B&W, although for colour neg. I think Kodak is unbeatable. I have tried some ADOX and Efke, it's a matter of preference, but I personally like the Rollei stuff better.

It's not film that's expensive, it's the shops we're looking in! High Street shops in the UK are grossly uncompetitive, just don't bother, you'll get a better range and price online.

hairday · Jul 21, 2011

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I am UK based.

pentaxuser · Jul 21, 2011

High Street films are essentially priced as distress purchases in the U.K. now - like motorway petrol. If the petrol stations on motorways relied on my business they'd have all closed down about 30 years ago.

Anyway, hairday, now you know what to do

pentaxuser

markbarendt · Jul 21, 2011

Robert Hall said:
Try telling a Hasselblad shooter that 35mm could compare with medium format.

+1 for an RB shooter.

Theoretically matching "quality" may be possible but practically I have yet to see it in my work.

Where I do see a difference in 35mm's favor is where the subject dictates fast handling, fast shutter speeds, and faster film.

Carl V · Jul 21, 2011

hairday said:
Sorry, I should have mentioned that I am UK based.

You may want to also give Mathers Of Lancashire a try as they are quite reasonable on film prices. At the moment, they're selling a 120 roll of Ilford HP5 at £3.39 and for 35mm, a 36-exposure film will cost £3.99.

http://www.mathersoflancashire.co.uk/index.html

It certainly pays to shop around here in the UK. Jessops would charge you £5.95 for the above films would you believe!

Chris Livsey · Jul 21, 2011

I regret that Ilford is no longer stocked at 7-day shop but you could buy 10+ rolls of Fuji Neopan Acros 100 - 120 Roll - for £2-79 roll free P&P.http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default.php?cat=1&type=1180&man=0&filterwords=&go=SEARCH&comp=

I also agree with Mathers & Ag but would add Silverprint http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ for completeness. You may find one or the other of these sources has the better price depending on offers over time.

agfarapid · Jul 21, 2011

hairday said:
Thanks guys for all of your advice. i will certainly experiment a bit with the 35mm v 120 thing. I do really need to shop around a bit more for my film and thanks for the link to that website where you get the hp5 at such a great price. I think it would be interesting anyway just to try out some different brands of film. I believe that Ilford are about to push up their prices again soon, across the board on film and paper.
I fear that as prices continue to rise, demand will continue to fall and the time will come when film is no longer available

I've used the Foma 400 and 100 under the rebranded Arista Edu name. They are inexpensive but are a good for the price and I've taken some excellent photos with my M/F gear. If you search the threads on APUG, you'll see numerous discussions regarding Foma films and scratches on negatives. I have seen that once among the many rolls I have developed. Suggest you go over to Freestyle, buy a few rolls and see how it works for you.

36cm2 · Jul 21, 2011

Robert Hall said:
Try telling a Hasselblad shooter that 35mm could compare with medium format.

Amen to this. I've seen a lot of this 35 v MF coming up lately. The both have their place, but the lengths you have to go to for 35 to match MF in large print sizes should not be underestimated. Use the right tool for the right job. You don't dig a swimming pool with a hand trowel and you don't plant flowers with a backhoe.

pentaxuser · Jul 21, 2011

agfarapid said:
Suggest you go over to Freestyle, buy a few rolls and see how it works for you.

Are you saying that there is a Freestyle store in the U.K. or that buying from Freestyle in the U.S. plus postage is still cheaper than the prices the OP has been quoted for U.K. based retailers?

The OP is based in the U.K.

pentaxuser

H. James Wolf · Jul 22, 2011

One of the posts mentions Lucky film. Tom A reviewed that several years ago and found it worked well if a bit more contrasty than Tri-X. I've tried to find out if this is still available in 35 in the U.S. but with no luck. Does anybody know if there's a supplier in the U.S. or who's willing to ship to the U.S.? Thanks,

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