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Film choice in B&W

TareqPhoto

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Nov 19, 2009
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Location
Ajman - UAE
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I didn't read the website yet to see if this question has been asked before [which i think it is already in any film website or forum].

What is the best or recommended B&W film for: Landscapes, Portraits, general [candid, outdoor, indoor,....]
 
It's a matter of preference. I prefer a slower film with fine grain (in most cases). The worst thing about slower film is windy days...
 
bumbersdad said:
It's a matter of preference. I prefer a slower film with fine grain (in most cases). The worst thing about slower film is windy days...
Click to expand...

Hi mate

Great, this a good help, so why slower film? sure you have a reason that you prefer the slower film
 
I do. The fine grain is, to me, more satisfying. I also use two lenses in barrel, so longer exposure times are necessary. I know, Jim Galli can do an eighth of a second pretty accurately without a shutter, but I can't. So I use small apertures and slower film so that I can make longer exposures. I'm currently gnawing away at a 500 foot roll of Panatomic Arecon. I've figured out how to use it pretty well and overcome its shortcomings; I'm using a basic EI of 20. I use that in my 4x5, and there's no visible grain at all.
 
TareqPhoto said:
I didn't read the website yet to see if this question has been asked before [which i think it is already in any film website or forum].

What is the best or recommended B&W film for: Landscapes, Portraits, general [candid, outdoor, indoor,....]
Click to expand...

Answers will vary widely (and they should).

For me.... recently...

Landscapes: pan f, pan 25, Rollei superpan....

Portraits: any of the deltas or tmaxes, chromogenics (xp2), pyro-developed stuff in general

General: fp4+, hp5+ in D76/ID11, 1+1

Just experiment and have fun!
 
Tareq -- I think you'll get a lot of different answers from a lot of different people. I know it's tempting to want to try a lot of different films (I've been there myself) but it would probably be best to stick to one (or two) emulsions for now. Maybe one high speed and one low. I started with Tri-X (400), developed in D-76 because that is a classic, classic combination and I've had very good results with it. I now mostly use HP5+ (from Ilford, very similar to Tri-X) because it was more readily available (and cheaper) in Europe when I was living there. For 100 speed film I tried a bunch of different ones before settling on Fuji Acros 100. These are the two films I use 90% of the time -- I've been using them for a few years now (well, the Acros for less than a year) and I'm happy with what I have been getting. If you don't like grain you might try Kodak TMAX films or the Delta ones from Ilford.

In all honesty, I don't think it's necessary to have a bunch of different films for different subjects, especially if you are just beginning. Pick a film, shoot it -- all subjects, all lighting conditions -- and figure out what you like and don't like. Then you can try other films, once you know what you are looking for.
 
the best one is the one your comfortable using and developing
 
Good point!

Tareq -- are you going to develop the film yourself, or have it developed at a lab? That will make a difference in the recommendations I think.
 
Its "Horses for courses" If you feel the need for speed, or if you're wrestling with reciprocity. or if you want ruddy skin tones there's a film for you---but you've got to choose.
FP-4+ or TXP are good "all-rounders" IMHO.
 
Yes, i will experiment different film and see, sure to each film i will get results and grain as i want and depends on the ASA and developing processing, ok, we will see.
 

I agree and i know that
I will start with T-Max ISO 100 that i will use with holga, and i took out TMY-ISO400 to be nest B&W film.
 
Cainquixote said:
the best one is the one your comfortable using and developing
Click to expand...

In fact i will not develop film myself now, just i will scan it, later when i will be more comfortable or more get used to film then i will start to develop myself.
 
mooseontheloose said:
Good point!

Tareq -- are you going to develop the film yourself, or have it developed at a lab? That will make a difference in the recommendations I think.
Click to expand...

Developed at a lab, not ready now to develop film myself but i will scan it by myself.
 
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