Highest contrast 35mm...

[J 3]

Everyone's answers here have kind of hit upon this but as a principle if you are looking for contrast beyond that of a normal high contrast film, look for respooled microfilm or lith film (often Ortho films). Anything this a single digit ISO or nearly so is likely to be very high contrast without special low contrast developers. Another option worth mentioning is Infrared film under a strong IR filter. Rollei 400 IR under a suitable filter will give near black skies, white clouds, and white foliage.

 

[KenS]

Years ago I shot a lot of 35mm Kodalith, processing some with Dektol. It was very slow but that was irrelevant.

I have a project for which high contrast 35mm film might be easier than digital.

How would you do that?

See if Kodak still market Tech Pan film. I used to use it 'regularly' when a working' photographer but have never
needed it since I 'retired'

Ken

 

[Adrian Bacon]

Thanks folks...lots of good suggestions...see Darko's example...and im a Rodinal devotee ( no wimpy sodium sulfite ! ).

I recently shot/tested some Rollei 80S/RPX25 (they’re the same emulsion). Man it’s got a lot of contrast.

 

[KenS]

Years ago I shot a lot of 35mm Kodalith, processing some with Dektol. It was very slow but that was irrelevant.

I have a project for which high contrast 35mm film might be easier than digital.

How would you do that?

jtk.. sir,

I'd go for Kodak's Tech pan

And it so happens I just 'found a long lost unopened 'brick' of 20 rolls that were transferred to my freezer a few years ago when a local 'DEEP FREEZE' (-30 degrees C) company 'closed shop' due to bankruptcy

And... I no longer have any interest in 35 mm photography since my retirement... any all all 'exposures' are now made with either my 4x5 Linhof or 8x10 B&J. I do have some 4x5 Tech pan but since my 'retirement', much prefer
FP4.. or my slowly depleting stock of Tri-X'

Ken