Help me find a B&W film that is same/similar to Plus-X and Pan-X (Kodak)

Mikkornat · Jan 6, 2016

I recently came across a Kodak Signet 35. I'd like to use it for B&W. I ordered a Tiffen V yellow filter off eBay, and now I want to get some film for it. The sliding guide on the back of the camera has exposure settings for Plus-X and Pan-X. I'd like to use that guide and want a film that has the same ISO and exposure properties as those films used to have.

Please recommend some film that fits the bill. Thanks in advance!

Jeff Bradford · Jan 6, 2016

Ilford PanF+ for Pan-X and FP4+ for Plus-X

bsdunek · Jan 6, 2016

I was a great fan of Plus-X, and now love FP4. I think it should work fine for you.

markbarendt · Jan 6, 2016

Pan X - ISO 25

Maybe Ilford Pan F+ (ISO 50) should work reasonably well with Pan X setting as would many of today's ISO 100 films because of their latitude, just adjust during the print process.
___

Plus X ISO 125

Any of the ISO 100-125-160 films should be fine at this setting. Many 200-400 speed films would work fine too because of their latitude.

Hatchetman · Jan 6, 2016

Great camera. I should use it more than I do. I suggest you just learn the Sunny 16 rule by heart and skip the slide ruler on the back.

gone · Jan 6, 2016

With the limited top shutter speed on that camera, you might be better off w/ a 400 speed film. Your top speed of 1/300 is surely a real life 1/150, if you're lucky. With the yellow filter factor, you're down to 1/75 to 1/100 for a TOP shutter speed. Tri-X would be my first choice, but the prices have gone nuts, so possibly Arista EDU 400. A meter, even a cheapie, will save you a lot of badly exposed shots. Sunny 16, to me, is if you don't have a meter, not in place of one.

Sirius Glass · Jan 6, 2016

Jeff Bradford said:
Ilford PanF+ for Pan-X and FP4+ for Plus-X

markbarendt said:
Pan X - ISO 25

Maybe Ilford Pan F+ (ISO 50) should work reasonably well with Pan X setting as would many of today's ISO 100 films because of their latitude, just adjust during the print process.
___

Plus X ISO 125

Any of the ISO 100-125-160 films should be fine at this setting. Many 200-400 speed films would work fine too because of their latitude.

+1

+1

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 6, 2016

That sliding guide is simply based on those film's speed rating. Nothing more. Pick any 100-125 film and any 25-50 speed film.

Gerald C Koch · Jan 6, 2016

Ilford FP4+ is a good replacement for Kodak Plus-X.

Good luck I have been looking for years for a replacement for Kodak Pan-X. Have never found anything satisfactory. Pan-X had a spectacular latitude. But I digress. As far as ISO is concerned Ilford Pan F+ is close enough for your purpose. Many people down-rate it to an EI of 25 to 32.

Harold33 · Jan 6, 2016

In my opinion, the nearest equivalent to Plus-X is not FP4+, but OrWo UN-54.

semi-ambivalent · Jan 7, 2016

Harold33 said:
In my opinion, the nearest equivalent to Plus-X is not FP4+, but OrWo UN-54.

Thanks for mentioning this Harold. I don't myself use these sorts of films but will experiment a bit. I have found in my workflow that ORWO N74+ is certainly not Tri-X.

s-a

DREW WILEY · Jan 7, 2016

In the Ilford lineup, Delta 100 is a lot more similar to Plus-X than FP4 is, though neither can be called replacements. The obvious replacement
for Pan-X is Pan-F, though these are not identical either, nor is Rolleipan 25.

NB23 · Jan 7, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
In the Ilford lineup, Delta 100 is a lot more similar to Plus-X than FP4 is, though neither can be called replacements. The obvious replacement
for Pan-X is Pan-F, though these are not identical either, nor is Rolleipan 25.

I agree: Delta 100 much more similar.

RobC · Jan 7, 2016

plus-x had an upswept curve. I would suggest using dilute HC110 to develop FP4 or Delta 100 would tend to create an upswept curve in the film. i.e. giving better highlight separation than mid to shadow separtion.

Grain structure will still be different though.

DREW WILEY · Jan 7, 2016

Plus-X was what they termed an "all toe" film. That was a bit of hyperbole; but compared to other films, it did a very long upsweep. FP4 has
a much longer straight line. But Delta 100 has a fair amount of upsweep favoring midtone and highlight expansion, which as Rob just noted,
can be accentuated with HC-110. I have never tried an old-school silver solvent developer like D23 on Delta like I used to used for Plus-X. That further contributed to the softer low-contrast look, yet retained sparkle in the highlights. It was a popular film for high-key Caucasian
portraiture and fashion sets. Delta 100 is of course, finer-grained and sharper, with more edge effect, but also distinctly thin-emulsion and
rather slick, without the classic retouching surface.

Roger Cole · Jan 7, 2016

markbarendt said:
Pan X - ISO 25

Maybe Ilford Pan F+ (ISO 50) should work reasonably well with Pan X setting as would many of today's ISO 100 films because of their latitude, just adjust during the print process.
___

Plus X ISO 125

Any of the ISO 100-125-160 films should be fine at this setting. Many 200-400 speed films would work fine too because of their latitude.

Pan-X was 32. Maybe better at 25 but officially 32. I agree with the rest - Pan F+ is a very different film but the only readily available conventional film slow enough. Many people shoot Pan F+ at 32 or 25 anyway.

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Help me find a B&W film that is same/similar to Plus-X and Pan-X (Kodak)

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