Closest thing to Plus-X

[Roger Pellegrini]

I am all out of Plus-X 120 and just found out that it has been discontinued. Any thoughts as to what most closely matches it? I have been developing it in 777 and would like to keep the same look.

 

[markbarendt]

FP-4

 

[BrianShaw]

I agree: FP-4

 

[keithwms]

I heard in another thread that Neopan SS is very close.

 

[Existing Light]

looks like you should try a bit FP4 and Neopan SS to see which one you like best

 

[JLP]

I heard in another thread that Neopan SS is very close.

Where do you buy Neopan SS in 120?

Plus-X and 777 are made for each.

 

[jordanstarr]

I don't think FP4 looks like Plus-x, but it's a good substitute. It's what I switched to. I miss the classic look of plus-x though.

 

[clayne]

Neopan SS hasn't been available in 120 for years. It's also gone in 135.

 

[mwdake]

I haven't tried it but I have read that ORWO 54 is quite close to Plus X.
Apparently is is available in 35mm but I don't think in other formats.

 

[keithwms]

Neopan SS hasn't been available in 120 for years. It's also gone in 135.

It's still available in 135...

http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=33

I don't see it in 120, sorry...

 

[summicron1]

uh, take a look at fuji acros 100 -- $2.69 a roll at Adorama, it is grainless, no kidding, making enlargments from 120 I use a focusing magnifier and have to use a detail on the image, I can't find grain to focus on.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Where do you buy Neopan SS in 120?

Plus-X and 777 are made for each.

LOL! Back to trying FP-4...

 

[Mark Crabtree]

uh, take a look at fuji acros 100 -- $2.69 a roll at Adorama, it is grainless, no kidding, making enlargments from 120 I use a focusing magnifier and have to use a detail on the image, I can't find grain to focus on.

Acros is nice film but is nothing like Plus-X.

 

[NB23]

Plus-x is my fetish film simply because I started with it, 20 years ago. Plus-x, APX100, HP5 and TMax3200 are my absolute favorites.

I'm so glad to have shot my latest Cuba series on Plus-X. Couldn't imagine using a different film.

As for a substitute? I'd lean more towards Fomapan100 for the look. FP4 would be very easy to get accustomed to but the look is not the same.

 

[summicron1]

Acros is nice film but is nothing like Plus-X.

have to admit i never shot plus x in 120 -- shooting a lot of it in 35 right now in the Arista rebadged stuff, but have pretty much only used Acros in the Rollei for the last 5 years or so -- amazing stuff.

 

[clayne]

Acros is a t-grain style film. Plus-X is not. Different grain, tone, curves. Different beasts.

 

[Roger Cole]

VERY different beasts. Acros is also not quite panchromatic, or as panchromatic, or something. It has a different look, very worthwhile on its own but sure not Plus-X.

I like FP4+. I got into medium format after Plus-X was already gone, but I've shot a lot of it over the years in 35mm. I'd like to have used it in 120, but alas not. The prices on eBay for 120 Plus-X of reliable vintage always go to levels I'm not going to pay. FP4+ is a very nice film. Not the same, but I don't think a photo is going to succeed or fail based on whether it's on Plus-X or FP4+.

 

[BrianShaw]

The prices on eBay for 120 Plus-X of reliable vintage always go to levels I'm not going to pay.

Aren't those prices horrible. No more than a week before the annoucement that PlusX was terminated I bought some some 120 at "normal" prices. I'm happy for myself but wishing I had bought more when I could.

 

[keithwms]

For what it's worth, I am now experimenting with some outdated but carefully stored aerial +sex and it is very nice I paid next to nothing for it (thanks Mark!) and it's superb. Not a lick of fog.

I agree that fp4+ is the film to try; with a bit of experimentation, you can probably get the tones close enough; the grain is just about equal.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Acros is a t-grain style film. Plus-X is not. Different grain, tone, curves. Different beasts.

Acros is Sigma-grained not T-grain. . Similar yes but not quite the same. But yes, makes it quite different than Plus-X though if one tries you can make Acros look less like Tmax and more towards Plus-X if you want, not exact of course.

 

[Mark Crabtree]

For what it's worth, I am now experimenting with some outdated but carefully stored aerial +sex and it is very nice I paid next to nothing for it (thanks Mark!) and it's superb. Not a lick of fog.

I agree that fp4+ is the film to try; with a bit of experimentation, you can probably get the tones close enough; the grain is just about equal.

I'm glad to hear that. I shot some of the aerial PX last spring cut to 8x10 and was amazed that it still seemed perfect. Slow films certainly hold up better with age, but some emulsions just seem more stable than others. Verichrome holds up amazingly well also. I found another unopened can of the PX in the freezer. This one seems to have shipped without the box, so maybe the last I bought from Mr. Photo.

I have a slitter and planned to slit the aerial film for smaller Cirkut sizes, and then use the cutoff to respool 120, but I just can't build any confidence that I can make the slitter function well enough to trust using it in the dark. I didn't want to risk trashing perfectly good film.

It is a shame to see 120 becoming such an issue, but TX is amazing stuff and still available. I know it is a different speed, but that is what I personally would use to replace PX (if I didn't have a stockpile of Verichrome Pan). The modern Tri-X is amazingly fine grain, too.

 

[Roger Cole]

Aren't those prices horrible. No more than a week before the annoucement that PlusX was terminated I bought some some 120 at "normal" prices. I'm happy for myself but wishing I had bought more when I could.

Yeah, it's good, but it's not THAT good. I'm actually quite happy with FP4+, so my TLR bag has FP4+ and Tri-X. If I expect dim light I'll have a roll or two of Delta 3200, and if I expect sunny outdoor light maybe, sometimes, a roll of Pan F. Add a couple of rolls of Portra 400 and maybe one of Portra 800 and I feel like I'm set for whatever I find.

 

[clayne]

Acros is Sigma-grained not T-grain. . Similar yes but not quite the same. But yes, makes it quite different than Plus-X though if one tries you can make Acros look less like Tmax and more towards Plus-X if you want, not exact of course.

Yea I realize the differences but didn't want to get into it. That's why I said "t-grain style". Sigma and T-grain are much more similar than they are different with the former being somewhat more of a hybrid between traditional and t-grain. But the point is that it's not a traditional film and the curves are significantly different.

 

[StorminMatt]

I don't know if this is an option. But maybe you could try finding a camera shop that has some left? I've not looked for 120. But I know that there is a local shop out here that has quite a bit of 135 still. Maybe there is a place somewhere that still has 120.

 

[Athiril]

I am all out of Plus-X 120 and just found out that it has been discontinued. Any thoughts as to what most closely matches it? I have been developing it in 777 and would like to keep the same look.

Try Shanghai GP3. One of my favourites, also so inexpensive, you have nothing to lose for trying it.