Favorite Films of Photographers

[RattyMouse]

I didnt see this posted anywhere. I'm sure it has been but I can't find it. Just in case.....an interesting read.

https://petapixel.com/2017/07/22/top-10-camera-films-preferred-photographers/

 

[macfred]

We had it here (there was a url link here which no longer exists) in post #9

 

[bsdunek]

As usual, I'm not with the popular crowd. My favorite these days is FP4.

 

[mpirie]

Whenever I see "Top ten xxxxx", unfortunately, my cynical hat comes out and i have to look at the survey with an eye to who will benefit from such surveys.

We (as photographers) have our own favourites and don't need these surveys, so the target audience has to be those gullible enough to buy on the strength of one person's opinion.

 

[removedacct1]

Whenever I see "Top ten xxxxx", unfortunately, my cynical hat comes out and i have to look at the survey with an eye to who will benefit from such surveys.

We (as photographers) have our own favourites and don't need these surveys, so the target audience has to be those gullible enough to buy on the strength of one person's opinion.

Agreed. "Top Ten" lists are for those too lazy to experiment in order to determine where their own tastes lay.

I believe it is also worth asking: who responded to this "Film Dating" survey tool? I suspect the demographic that participated is a narrow spectrum of people, largely omitting seasoned photographers with decades of experience, and heavily favoring those who have started using film relatively recently, and who feel compelled to share their newly formed opinions. (Yes, this is my cynicism at work, admittedly)
I also think it is a flawed premise to conduct a survey in which the question asked is: "which films are the best?" since anyone who has dealt with film technology for any span of time knows that seeking "best" is the wrong premise - what is relevant is: what film gives me the look I prefer, and is it technically capable of delivering that look under the conditions?

 

[NJH]

Definitely. The fact it includes a very niche Cinestil film and a lomo film tells you all one needs to know, might as well be honest and say its the top 10 amongst hipsters and guys who hang out on forums and shoot whatever is fashionable.

 

[OptiKen]

Sheese!!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Who died and made the author god?

 

[TheRook]

I didnt see this posted anywhere. I'm sure it has been but I can't find it. Just in case.....an interesting read.

https://petapixel.com/2017/07/22/top-10-camera-films-preferred-photographers/

I'm surprised the article states that Fujifilm is on its way out. Whenever I visit local stores (drugstores, food stores, and department stores), it's usually Fujifilm I see on the shelves, rarely ever any of the other brands.

 

[RattyMouse]

I'm surprised the article states that Fujifilm is on its way out. Whenever I visit local stores (drugstores, food stores, and department stores), it's usually Fujifilm I see on the shelves, rarely ever any of the other brands.

I dont think Fujifilm has much of a future with non INSTAX film. They just axed most, if not all, of their non pro 35mm color negative films. They have started axing Acros film in 4 x 5 size. It's just one film after another on the chopping block. I had thought that they had reached a happy minimum just before they axed Provia 400X. After that other films started dropping and now it's clear that Fujifilm cannot sustain much of any film production, outside of their INSTAX line.

 

[removed account4]

whatever i might have on hand - expired, fresh, home made &c

 

[mpirie]

Agreed. "Top Ten" lists are for those too lazy to experiment in order to determine where their own tastes lay.

Or those looking for a magic bullet!

 

[mooseontheloose]

Have any of you taken the survey? It's not about choosing a film - there are images and you choose the images whose look you like the best. Many film stocks, except slide film, are represented. At the end, it tells you which film is your match. As in the thread noted above (film dating) some people were surprised at which films came out on top for them. Nobody is god, nobody is talking about magic bullets, nobody is focused on hipsters. It's just a look at the results of this one particular survey that over 38,000 people have done. Relax.

 

[Pioneer]

Have any of you taken the survey? It's not about choosing a film - there are images and you choose the images whose look you like the best. Many film stocks, except slide film, are represented. At the end, it tells you which film is your match. As in the thread noted above (film dating) some people were surprised at which films came out on top for them. Nobody is god, nobody is talking about magic bullets, nobody is focused on hipsters. It's just a look at the results of this one particular survey that over 38,000 people have done. Relax.

Good luck mooseontheloose. These guys are out for blood anytime someone mentions something from the Lomo field. Particularly in a top ten list. You would think they had invented photography the way they carry on about this stuff.

They remind me a lot of a couple of professors I had way back in the day. We could tell them to loosen up a little and have some fun but they will turn that around and turn it into a series of boring lectures.

 

[RattyMouse]

Have any of you taken the survey? It's not about choosing a film - there are images and you choose the images whose look you like the best. Many film stocks, except slide film, are represented. At the end, it tells you which film is your match. As in the thread noted above (film dating) some people were surprised at which films came out on top for them. Nobody is god, nobody is talking about magic bullets, nobody is focused on hipsters. It's just a look at the results of this one particular survey that over 38,000 people have done. Relax.

Well said.

I took the survey and found it amazingly accurate. It said my preferred films were Neopan Acros and 400H, which is 100% correct!

 

[macfred]

Have any of you taken the survey? It's not about choosing a film - there are images and you choose the images whose look you like the best. Many film stocks, except slide film, are represented. At the end, it tells you which film is your match. As in the thread noted above (film dating) some people were surprised at which films came out on top for them. Nobody is god, nobody is talking about magic bullets, nobody is focused on hipsters. It's just a look at the results of this one particular survey that over 38,000 people have done. Relax.

I agree ! I've done it and for me it 's entertainment and fun ! It was accurate for b/w (Fomapan); for color they suggest FUJI Color CN 200 - doesn't bother me ...
It's all about film !

 

[TheRook]

I dont think Fujifilm has much of a future with non INSTAX film. They just axed most, if not all, of their non pro 35mm color negative films. They have started axing Acros film in 4 x 5 size. It's just one film after another on the chopping block. I had thought that they had reached a happy minimum just before they axed Provia 400X. After that other films started dropping and now it's clear that Fujifilm cannot sustain much of any film production, outside of their INSTAX line.

However, Fujifilm still dominates the color negative film market. If this requires discontinuing specific films and formats that do not sell sufficiently to be profitable, then so be it. The reason Provia 400X was axed was simply because not enough people were using it. For any manufacturer to remain profitable, it must adapt to changes in consumer demand. And to claim Fujifilm does not have much of a future in film is a bit premature I think. If Fujifilm steps out of the film production business altogether, what company can fill its place? Lucky Film?

 

[RattyMouse]

However, Fujifilm still dominates the color negative film market. If this requires discontinuing specific films and formats that do not sell sufficiently to be profitable, then so be it. The reason Provia 400X was axed was simply because not enough people were using it. For any manufacturer to remain profitable, it must adapt to changes in consumer demand. And to claim Fujifilm does not have much of a future in film is a bit premature I think. If Fujifilm steps out of the film production business altogether, what company can fill its place? Lucky Film?

Discontinuing all 35mm color negative films except for 400H is hardly a dominate player. Fujifilm is a bit player and we'll see that once all the Superia films disappear.

Clearly Kodak will be the dominate color film supplier now that Fujifilm is stepping aside. Suggesting that Lucky will somehow fill this void is your idea, not mine, and it is ridiculous.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

As usual, I'm not with the popular crowd. My favorite these days is FP4.

FP4 is a great film and works well in D76, ID11 or Rodinal;good film for the retro crowd or beginners alike.

 

[removedacct1]

Have any of you taken the survey? It's not about choosing a film - there are images and you choose the images whose look you like the best. Many film stocks, except slide film, are represented. At the end, it tells you which film is your match. As in the thread noted above (film dating) some people were surprised at which films came out on top for them. Nobody is god, nobody is talking about magic bullets, nobody is focused on hipsters. It's just a look at the results of this one particular survey that over 38,000 people have done. Relax.

I did indeed take the "survey" and was dismayed at the end to find that the result of my effort was kept hostage until I gave an email address to sign up for unwanted junk email. No thanks. I was fine with it all until I realized this was a mercenary effort on the part of the survey creators.

 

[bdial]

I took the survey and it told me my favorite B&W is T-Max 100. I'm not sure I have a true favorite these days, but it picking TM 100 is pretty well on track with my general preferences.
I didn't get prompted for an email to see the result, so I don't know what's up with that.
All in good fun.

 

[pentaxuser]

I did indeed take the "survey" and was dismayed at the end to find that the result of my effort was kept hostage until I gave an email address to sign up for unwanted junk email. No thanks. I was fine with it all until I realized this was a mercenary effort on the part of the survey creators.

Thanks, I did wonder. I now wonder if others here have realised this. If so I'd have preferred a mention of this major drawback before your timely intervention. We seem to fail to realise how much we let strangers into our lives these days. I'll have to live with never knowing what my favourite film is

pentaxuser

 

[Sirius Glass]

However, Fujifilm still dominates the color negative film market. If this requires discontinuing specific films and formats that do not sell sufficiently to be profitable, then so be it. The reason Provia 400X was axed was simply because not enough people were using it. For any manufacturer to remain profitable, it must adapt to changes in consumer demand. And to claim Fujifilm does not have much of a future in film is a bit premature I think. If Fujifilm steps out of the film production business altogether, what company can fill its place? Lucky Film?

"dominates" is based on exactly what? You have not cited any film sales from Fujifilm nor Kodak. Are you counting all the sales of the cancelled films?

Yes, if a film does not sell, then it will be discontinued.

 

[RattyMouse]

I did indeed take the "survey" and was dismayed at the end to find that the result of my effort was kept hostage until I gave an email address to sign up for unwanted junk email. No thanks. I was fine with it all until I realized this was a mercenary effort on the part of the survey creators.

Just cancel out of that page and you get the results. I provided them no information about myself at all.

 

[Craig75]

Didnt ask me my email and gave me hp5+ which is my most used film so was spot on.