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Favorite film/developer combo for 120

Merg Ross

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Mar 16, 2006
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Location
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Large Format
This is not a newbie question, rather from one who has been using primarily sheet film for the past fifty years.

I contemplate using only 120 b&w film on my next trip to Europe (Rollei SLR 66) and have been experimenting with various film/developer combinations.

Do you have a favorite?

Regards,
Merg
www.mergross.com
 
Probably Ilford Pan-F Plus in PMK 1:2:100.
 
TX or TXP in PMK works nicely for 6x6, and if you like TXP in large format as I do, it gives you a somewhat consistent tonality across formats--or at least it's in the same family. For speed, TX or TXP works well in Acufine.

I also like Delta 400 at EI 200 in Perceptol sometimes.
 
I think that if 320TXP or FP4+ were the only film available...I could easily be happy.
 
Thank you so much for your replies. I have most of the films mentioned on hand, as well as a PMK kit. I will head to the field tomorrow and continue testing.
 
bring tri-x 320 if...

... you think you will be handholding your camera a lot.
Process in Pyro ...

...bring Rollei 25 if you will be shooting using a tripod and want the finest smoothest look around (in slightly lower contrast situations).
Also process in Pyro...


Per Volquartz
Dead Link Removed
 
HP5/HC, HP5/D-19, D3200/HC, D3200/D-19, Pan F/HC, Efke 25/ID-11 1:3 (minimal agitation), Efke 100 pushed one grade/ID-11 1:1, Tri-X 320/HC, and a new (rediscovered) one, Tri-X 400 in the guise of Arista Premium 400/HC, are my faves. HP5/HC is my most commonly used of them, though I am currently having an affair with Arista Premium 400. Tri-X 400 is available in 120, BTW.

For HC, I use dil. H for normal or a pull, and dil. B to push.
 
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Neopan 400 in D76 1+1. Fine enough grain for me to use it for everything, very nice look to it.
 

Hi Per, my hope is to use a tripod as much as possible (a Feisol purchased from Kerry last year). High speed is not a major consideration.

Which Pyro fromula are you suggesting?

By the way, your work is stunning, have viewed it for years.

Appreciate the help.

Merg
 
Actually I use Pyro Rollo...

... in tanks, trays what have you. Its very consistent!
It has a certain look that is different. I have tried d-76 (dislike it as it - for me at least - it dumps the shadow detail).
After that I used HC-110 for years - good developer.
THEN I discovered Pyro Rollo = a whole new ball game.
I love Pyro Rollo negs!

I still use Rodinal on a rare occasion (tried stand development = interesting)...
But where I compare Pyro Rollo to PMK, Pyrocat, Xtol, HC-110, etc. negs that I have here there is no comparison... at least in my mind and from the look that I prefer in a negative.


By the way Pyro Rollo is apparently not recommended for continuous tray processing but it works just fine. In a Jobo Expert drum it is terrific!



A Feisol is a great tripod by the way. I too bought one...







Per Volquartz
Dead Link Removed
 
Oh what the heck...

Plus-X in HC110 dil H

Matt
 
hallo
hp5 in d-23 1+3 (or d76 1+3)
acros or tmx in rodinal 1:100 or 1:50
this is all i really need.
 
hi merg

my suggestion would be
neopan or foma ... in the developer
of your choice ...

have a nice trip!
john
 
Foma 100 in Rodinal. This has been my favorite combination for the past year and I LOVE it. Nice tones, nice grain, and very classic looking.
 
I am going to take a leap of faith and assume that you are asking about black & white film only. I have been using Tri-X 400 at box speed or at 320 and developing in XTOL undiluted. After taking Per Valquartz's class I am getting ready to try Tri-X in Pyro Rollo.

Steve
 
That's what Kerik Kouklis uses as well if I remember correctly; Tri-X & Rolly Pyro.

For me - Tmax 400 & Xtol (replenished) is the cat's meow. I think you will get a LOT of replies that are all different.

 
Personally I'd shoot Tmax100/Delta 100 in Pyrocat HD if I could use a tripod, or Tmax400/Delta 400 and Pyrocal HD hand-held.

For about 20+ years I shot either APX100 or Kodak Tmax 50 (so called 100) with Rodinal results were virtually indistinguishablee except APX100 was a full stop faster (same contrast, graim, tonality), I sot them with 35mm too

I've switched back to Ilford films because I find it hard buying Kodak films of the shelf now, but Ilford films seem to be almost always available.

Pyrocat in many ways is quite similar to Rodinal but it has an edge with Tonality and sharpnes.

Ian
 
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