Film preferences for SC Color-Skopar lens (Perkeo II)

[36cm2]

While I know that film choice is very subjective and depends upon subject, lighting and development factors, I was wondering if anyone had helpful observations regarding their B&W film preference when using a Perkeo II (or any camera with a single-coated Color Skopar lens). Shooting conditions will be varied while traveling though southeast Asia. I'm leaning toward HP5 or Neopan 400, but am open to suggestions. Development will be in HC-110 or, in limited cases, Rodinal. Many thanks.

 

[Matthew Rusbarsky]

Tri-X and the Color Skopar is a great combo. For me, it has a grit and punch that brings out the best in classic glass. HP5 was so nice and smooth that everything tended to look a bit blah. Stopping down does make zone focus easier, but you might find ISO 100 to be more at home in a 60 year old camera. Bringing along a few rolls of Plus-X or FP4 couldn't hurt.

 

[36cm2]

Yeah, I was wondering if 200-400 was the best film speed. I'll be shooting quickly and without a tripod so I figured faster film would help, but maybe I should think about that more in light of Prontor-S' 1/300 max shutter speed. I haven't used the camera much because of a repair that needed to be done, but I'm dying to get at it. Thanks for the tips on things looking blah. Exactly the perspective I was looking for. Maybe something slower souped in Rodinal will work best. Much appreciated.

 

[Ian Grant]

Don't assume that it's necessarily single coated, multi-layer lens coating has been around since 1938 and coatings gradually improved after WWII. Your Color Skopar probably has better balanced coatings than my 1950's CZJ Tessar which, while well coated, is particularly blue in cast for colour work.

My own choice for hand-held work with a 120 camera is Delta 400 or Tmax400.

Ian

 

[Matthew Rusbarsky]

Maybe something slower souped in Rodinal will work best.

Shooting 400 in bright daylight with my old cameras limits me to my fastest shutter speeds and smallest apertures; a good thing for zone focusing and shooting quickly, but limited choices for DOF. When shooting BW 400 I try and carry around a 2 stop yellow filter when I want to open it up a bit, like here: Bessamatic w/ Color-Skopar, Tri-X

 

[DWThomas]

I've tried quite a few films and can't say any were disappointing, except where there was a problem with the liveware holding the camera. Most recently I've shot a few rolls of Neopan 400 in mine with pleasing results. Plus-X and Tri-X (400) I've happily shot also -- those just feel "right" with a 60 year old camera. Acros 100 has been good too in the "great outdoors", although the faster films might be better if one is unsure of light to be available. I usually rate the 400 films at about 250 and use HC110 1+63, so they're OK with the 1/300 fastest shutter for me. I do indeed like my perky little Perkeo!

 

[36cm2]

Most recently I've shot a few rolls of Neopan 400 in mine with pleasing results.

I settled on HP5 as my 400 speed film of choice a couple of years ago, but Neopan 400 has been nagging at me ever since. Its crisper contrast may be the ticket. Hmmmm, definitely leaning toward Neopan down-rated appropriately and souped in Rodinal.

Matt, I like your filter comment. I have a snap-on yellow-green filter for the Perkeo. It's probably 1 stop.

Ian, I always thought it was single coated lens, but if my experience with your posts is any measure, then you're probably right!

Thanks. Very excited.

Leo

 

[2F/2F]

Come on, now. Just use any black and white film.

 

[36cm2]

Come on, now. Just use any black and white film.

Yeah, you're right and I would if I had your shooting experience, but I'm trying to stick to Acros and one 400 speed film till I have them down pat. Same with HC110 and Rodinal. Baby steps.

 

[2F/2F]

What I meant is that the lens won't really make a difference nearly as much as the film you use. People make too much of the "color" of lenses...and with b/w, it is really not a consideration at all.

Any modern color film has worked exactly as expected when I have used it with very old and/or non-coated and/or single-coated lenses. Reala looks like Reala, Provia looks like Provia, etc.

 

[DWThomas]

Any modern color film has worked exactly as expected when I have used it with very old and/or non-coated and/or single-coated lenses. Reala looks like Reala, Provia looks like Provia, etc.

Yeah, my understanding (which may or not be all that comprehensive) is that the primary effect of lens coatings is in flare. That may result in a slight reduction of contrast, but if one uses a lens hood (or hand, or old hat, etc.) to keep sun or floodlights off the lens, the effects are minimal. Now if one's primary subject material is backlit stuff in sunsets, maybe the coatings could be a deciding factor.

The OP asked about B&W, but I have also gotten some nice results back from the Perkeo with Provia 100F. I would think variations in processing would exceed the effects of coatings.