Honestly? Please excuse me for being so forward in making this suggestion... Your skill, built by getting to know a film, will make 100 times more of a difference than the actual film you choose. Perhaps buy the cheapest of this lot, as these are all excellent, get just one developer, and stick with it for the next year (or two).
Stone, I am not sure why you are paying $100 for 50 sheet 4x5 TMY2 because I just went to see how much it is at B&H and oddly enough it has actually dropped in price a few bucks to $84 a box, that is a lot cheaper than Acros100 by the way as it is $1.14 per sheet more...that is the cost of Delta 100 alone!
As for that tone curve, toe and shoulder stuff. I read about it, understood it awhile ago and then forgot about it not long after. I am not a technical photographer as much as an artistic one, I just want to get on with making strong photographs. I use Tmax 100 & 400, Efke IR820 in 4x5. I use the same in 120 ( 6x12 ) but also Acros 100 as well due to having a big stash of it when it was dirt cheap.
Just pick a couple of films and get on with making great photos, in the end when you are viewing a great photograph, you are not looking at toes and shoulders....well unless they are clearly part of your subject matter as is this case with yours...;-)
The tech side is definitely valuable, I am just not one of those who can spend too much time on it. It's kind of like tuning a guitar, by all means tune it, get it as close as you need to start jamming.....then start jamming.
I have HP5+ but I think I'll save it for pushing to 1600 and want something else for the 400-800 range...
Why do you want something else? You already have a film which works in the 400-800 range. You're making your life more complicated, looking to work with more films than you need. Use HP5 (or whatever) for everything. Use Acros when it's reciprocity characteristics matter. There's a reason everyone recommends working with one film/one developer for a year. You need to master your materials. I think great photographers are usually film/developer monogamous. What makes their images great is their intimacy with their film and developer. Being so in tune with their materials, they can concentrate on what really matters...
Why do you want something else? You already have a film which works in the 400-800 range. You're making your life more complicated, looking to work with more films than you need. Use HP5 (or whatever) for everything. Use Acros when it's reciprocity characteristics matter. There's a reason everyone recommends working with one film/one developer for a year. You need to master your materials. I think great photographers are usually film/developer monogamous. What makes their images great is their intimacy with their film and developer. Being so in tune with their materials, they can concentrate on what really matters...
Eddie the same question was bouncing around my head.
So Stone, exactly what problem does HP5 have that makes switching important, especially to a film that you've admittedly struggled with?
What change to your prints do you hope to gain?
How many sheets of HP5 have you shot and developed?
it's just frustrating, like when you go to buy a car and you say I want a Prius but I can't decide between the model that plugs in (EV) and the fully gas hybrid model, and the salesmen says "oh why don't you just but a highlander hybrid SUV, have you tried them? I think that's the car for you" even though they have no real idea of what I want, they push what they want anyway.
Do you know how aggravating that is?
Yeah, it's just frustrating, like when I go to sell a car and you say you want a Prius but you can't decide between the model that plugs in (EV) and the fully gas hybrid model, and so I purposefully say "oh why don't you just but a highlander hybrid SUV, have you tried them? I think that's the car for you". I do it to piss you off just enough to break the stalemate. I do this because you won't tell me the real reason (like your significant other wants the white one and you want the red one) so I have to push you a bit.
So, do you know how aggravating it is guessing why you are dumping HP5 for TMY is?
This forum is a two-way street Stone, you want us to share so you can learn, well we want you to share so we can learn.
Hint: if it's not a technical reason that's ok.
(And yes I used to sell cars, among other things.)
Then why do you ask questions like this in the first place?
................
2) Find a truly world class photographer who has shot thousands of sheets of each, and ask some relevant questions.
Ugh, I'm not dumping HP5+..... I'm simply using both!
Not every film is the best one for every purpose....
Dear Stone,
All this care, all this preparation, all this striving......and then you scan ?
Its like preparing and cooking the greatest meal ever....and then giving it to your dog....the dog will eat it....but never truly appreciate it !
Why don't you print ? then your photography will live on and you get to be really and truly creative twice over.
And yes...of course I have a vested interest !
Believe me you are missing so much...some would say the best bit.
Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :
It is fine to use both, or all three.
What I am saying is that you haven't defined "the purpose" or why HP5 can't address that task. In an analogy, you are trying to pick a path without knowing where you want to end up.
Dear Stone,
Whatever you use...from whichever manufacturer just enjoy your photography...all points noted.
And GET A DARKROOM....
Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited
When you do your first sheets of paper are on me....!
Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :
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