FP4 Plus - First Impressions

Max Power · Nov 21, 2004

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Quebec City so I decided to take my C220 down to the Plains of Abraham and shoot some.

I have been shooting almost exclusively Delta 100 and 400, but decided to try some FP4 Plus for a change. I deliberately chose situations of extreme light and dark to see what latitude it has. Wow! Am I ever impressed! Although I have very little experience in these things, my first impression is that the FP4 is much more flexible and forgiving of extremes than is the Delta. All of my frames turned out, even the ones in which the Delta would have failed.

I'm going to print some today to see how the prints differ, but so far I'm quite impressed.

Kent

BruceN · Nov 21, 2004

I prefer HP5, FP4 and Pan F to the Deltas. Especially Pan F. They seem to be more forgiving on both exposure and development. IMO they also have better tonality. Now, if I were only good enough to take maximun advantage of all that...

Honestly, I DO keep a few rolls of Delta 3200 around just for fun.

BWGirl · Nov 21, 2004

Yeah, Kent, I agree!
I started off shooting HP5, then FP4. Then someone said "use Delta 100" so I tried that. (I do like delta 100 shot @ 50). But I was amazed with the FP4 I shot in the Hassy! Wow! Of course I could just be smitten by those larger negs! haha But FP4 is now in my 'arsenal'!

Andy K · Nov 21, 2004

I am rapidly becoming an FP4 addict. I regularly shoot it at 64ASA, with some very nice results.,

ScottH · Nov 21, 2004

Count me as another FP4 fan. Matter of fact, it's about the only thing I shoot in MF these days, and HP5 for 35mm (handheld). EI of 64 and 200, respectively.

Max Power · Nov 21, 2004

Is HP5 to Delta 400 what FP4 is to Delta 100?

What is Pan F like in general terms compared to the Deltas?

Thanks,
Kent

Ole · Nov 21, 2004

Max Power said:
Is HP5 to Delta 400 what FP4 is to Delta 100?

In my experience, YES. Unless you absolutely need the finer grain of the Deltas, the "old" films are supreme. Tonality and flexibility are so much better that I have settled on "classic" films only.

Pan-F is finer-grained, maybe not quite as forgiving as FP4. I won't compare it to Delta - they're too different.

TPPhotog · Nov 21, 2004

Pan F; FP4+; HP5+ are also my ammunitions of choice with Delta 3200 or Tmax P3200 if I need the faster stuff. I occasionally shoot other films these days just in case we lose the beloved Ilford. Generally I only use Delta 100 or 400 when experimenting as it doesn't seem to like me.

Max Power · Nov 21, 2004

Well, I spent a bit of time in the darkroom today and made some quick prints. At first blush, the FP4 seems to have more range, but lower contrast than the Delta 100. Delta 100 seems to have more contrast and 'punch' but is a lot less tolerant of extremes.

I can see how one would vary depending on the effect wanted.

I can see now that I'm going to have to go out and shoot a whole bunch more FP4...Just to see how it works...But honey, I'm conducting photographic experiments

Kent

rbarker · Nov 21, 2004

Max Power said:
I can see now that I'm going to have to go out and shoot a whole bunch more FP4...Just to see how it works...But honey, I'm conducting photographic experiments

Kent

The best way to test film is by using a good figure model for the shots, so you can be assured of getting good, subtle tonal variations and a variety of texture to check resolution. That approach also fits well with your explanation to the spousal unit.

BWGirl · Nov 21, 2004

I like Pan F, too. And I'm developing a relationship with Acros as well. I can't wait to try it in Med Format.

arigram · Nov 22, 2004

In what soup do you develop FP4+ @ 64iso?
I want to try some Rodinal 1-50 with that film to see if it can replace the non-available-around-here PanF+.

Max Power · Nov 22, 2004

Scott,
Same question as Ari: how do you soup the FP4 when you shoot at an EI of 64.
And as a follow up: how does it compare at an EI of 64 as opposed to 125?

Ralph,
Darned fine idea! Thanks for the tip

Kent

sparx · Nov 22, 2004

I shot Delta 100 and FP4 back to back the other day and I personally prefer the FP4. It just seems a little bit more forgiving. Mind you I do like Delta 3200 over HP5 pushed. I just stock HP5 more because you've effectively got rating from 200iso to 6400iso in one roll of film.

JackRosa · Nov 30, 2004

Developing FP4+

My preferences are Rodinal 1:50 or PMK <pyro> 10+20+1000

BWGirl · Nov 30, 2004

arigram said:
In what soup do you develop FP4+ @ 64iso?
I want to try some Rodinal 1-50 with that film to see if it can replace the non-available-around-here PanF+.

Massive Development Chart ( http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html ) shows FP4+ shot @ 64 developed in Rodinal 1:100 for 21 minutes

This place (Dead Link Removed) shows it shot @ 50 and developed in Rodinal 1:50 for 6 minutes.

These might give you some places to start. I guess I'd be tempted to soup it 1:50 for 7 minutes or so as a starting point.

Eric Rose · Nov 30, 2004

FP4 is all I shoot now. My old fav was APX 100 but since they don't make it in 4x5 anymore I had to find a new film. My favorite soups are either HC110 dil B or PyroCat-HD. I rate it at 64asa for 4x5 and 125asa for minicam (35mm).

I've never been a big fan of the T-grain films. They just don't have the look I like. It's purely personal.

John McCallum · Nov 30, 2004

EricR said:
FP4 is all I shoot now. My old fav was APX 100 but since they don't make it in 4x5 anymore I had to find a new film. My favorite soups are either HC110 dil B or PyroCat-HD. I rate it at 64asa for 4x5 and 125asa for minicam (35mm).

I've never been a big fan of the T-grain films. They just don't have the look I like. It's purely personal.

Exactly the same for me. Used to be very keen on APX100, now mostly use FP4+, don't like T-grained film.
The HC110 dil B is very good and convenient too.
When I want higher accutance, I use Rodinal (1:50) with the FP4+.
I also find ID11 very appealing with FP4+, if you don't mind the inconvenience of a powdered developer.

It's good to see you like it too, Kent. Nothing like loving a film enough to put the time in to get to know it well.

TPPhotog · Nov 30, 2004

I soup FP4+ @64 in Rodinal 1+100 for 15 mins at 20C. Invert for first 30 seconds and then invert once every 30 seconds.

For flexibility I find HP5+ rated between 200 and 1600 is a real work horse as well.

FP4 Plus - First Impressions

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