Film for curves manipulation. (also looking to neopan)

Currently I am using Tri-X but I am having ideas about Neopan 400 (legacy bulk) due to cost and some of the nice things people say about this film. I like the idea of those black blacks.

But I thought I would consult the gods at apug before I find myself making a mistake.

An important part of my photography is curves manipulation. With curves, sometimes aided by masking, I move my pics to where I want them. Curves is also a big part of converting my Canon 450D snaps of my negatives (taken through an ancient smc Takumar 50/4 macro; I've never used a scanner). With curves I am thinking the black blacks of neopan may be irrelevent. With Curves I tend to find I don't have as much scope with Tri-X as I do with colour negatives.

So I am wondering what would be a good value film for a seasoned curves user? I would rather pay less than I paid for my tri-x: in fact if I do get the neopan I am considering selling the tri-x off. (BTW, I develop using HC110).

I do have another couple of considerations. I shoot only people as environmental/documentary-style portraits. I work very hard for atmosphere above almost any other consideration; so I never use flash and I put some effort in to preserving the sky/clouds (ndgrad and orange filter for most sky pics). My favourite pics are backlit. One example would be a niece sitting at a table with sunlight through the back of her hair: her front in shadow.

Perhaps for such photography I really must stick to films with the greatest dynamic range and that means tri-x hp5+? Perhaps also these films are best for manipulation. But having the best often isn't really necessary. The cost of legacy pro is very attractive. Perhaps it would be enough to use Ansel Adam's compensating HC110 routine (18 mins dil G, less agitation), but that was for Tri-X.

What do you think?

If by curves you mean Photoshop, this is a bit off topic for APUG.

Try Arista Premium 400 from Freestyle if you want to save some money. $2/roll and is the same thing as Tri-X. Look for the one that says "Made in the USA."

Tim Gray said:

If by curves you mean Photoshop, this is a bit off topic for APUG.

Try Arista Premium 400 from Freestyle if you want to save some money. $2/roll and is the same thing as Tri-X. Look for the one that says "Made in the USA."

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I suppose it may be. All the same the base is a negative. Is it really the case that apug is purist analog only?

I don't live in the US.

lorriman said:

I suppose it may be. All the same the base is a negative. Is it really the case that apug is purist analog only?

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Yes, APUG is fairly purist for good reasons. Try Hybridphoto.com, APUG's hybrid workflow sister site for discussing the best cheap film for scanning/digital copying, and subsequent digital manipulation.

Lee

I notice that you keep capitalizing "curves." You must be a commie. You will want to go to the commie version of A.P.U.G. (www.HybridPhoto.com) to ask your questions.

BTW, you are not alone or rare in your methods. I can't think of a photographer who uses Photoshop who does not use the curve manipulations, as curve manipulation is the most fundamental technical thing we do when we shoot, process, and print images. This is tool number one in analog land and in digital land for me, and most others. Information on the topic is vast, if that is what you seek. If you want information on how to manipulate curves without the use of digital technology, you have found the right place.

The traditional b/w film with perhaps the most dynamic range capturing ability would be an inherently flat film such as Delta 3200.

If you include C-41 b/w films as well, then Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford all have a film of this type, all of which will likely beat any traditional b/w film for dynamic range capturing ability. TMK, only Ilford's is available in 120, though I have not ever searched for the Fuji, so it may be as well.

I manipulate film curves all the time by altering my development times.

2F/2F said:

I notice that you keep capitalizing "curves." You must be a commie. You will want to go to the commie version of A.P.U.G. (www.HybridPhoto.com) to ask your questions.

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I am not a Commie!!! I am a Chesterton Conservative, which kind of ends up being similar to the communist ideal, happy peasants, but with a nod to hierarchy (see Distributionism).

The traditional b/w film with perhaps the most dynamic range capturing ability would be an inherently flat film such as Delta 3200.

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Interesting. Pity it's so speedy. I suppose my question might resolve down to "which is the lowest contrast film" but it occured to me that since that's not the only criteria I should mention other factors such as my shooting style.

If you include C-41 b/w films as well, then Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford all have a film of this type, all of which will likely beat any traditional b/w film for dynamic range capturing ability. TMK, only Ilford's is available in 120, though I have not ever searched for the Fuji, so it may be as well.

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Yes, I had considered them but I need to home develop and just don't get through enough film to match the speed of C41 chemicals oxidation (including the use of gases for preservation).

Thanks for your pointer to the hybrid site. I'll go and ask my question there.

Lee L said:

Yes, APUG is fairly purist for good reasons. Try Hybridphoto.com, APUG's hybrid workflow sister site for discussing the best cheap film for scanning/digital copying, and subsequent digital manipulation.

Lee

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Ok, thanks for that.

Your question would best be answered at our sister site, as others have said, Hybrid Photo.

http://www.hybridphoto.com/forums/home.php