If you could shoot only one Black & White film, what would it be?

[bags27]

Tri-X for MF, as I need the extra speed when shooting handheld, but probably moving to HP5+ because of cost.

 

[Breadbutter]

HP5+ for me.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I answered earlier in this thread with realistic choices, but in my dreamworld... Kodak HIE in 5x7 and 8x10.

 

[bluechromis]

I've been ignoring this thread for a while, but just today it occurred to me -- it'd have to be XP-2 Super. Extreme latitude: shoot from EI 50 to 800 with no change in development, can be pushed and pulled, can be bleach bypassed to gain density (roughly a stop equivalent, whether that's a stop of push or of real speed) -- and it can be developed in B&W chemistry (including the photo traveler's friend, Cinestill Df96 -- use double time as you would with T-Max or Delta films) with fairly similar results to C-41. Just about the only thing it won't do that you might do intentionally with traditional B&W films is produce big grain -- and I'm more likely to get that by shooting small film (35 mm or slit down to 16 mm) and enlarging a lot; given a grain structure similar to Delta 400, you can get grain this way, if you want it (though IMO it'll be ugly).

It's not my main go-to film at present because of costs -- I buy Foma or Kentmere (or rebrands of them), but if it were the ONLY B&W film I'll ever be able to buy forever...

If folks are looking for economical film, I am surprised that more people seem to mention Foma than Kentmere,, especially since Kentmere is available in 120 size. On Freestyle, I don't see a big price advantage for Foma, but perhaps in other places it is different.

 

[mshchem]

TMY-2

 

[Paul Verizzo]

TMY-2

I agree. Providing you can afford it.

Mi dos centavos.

 

[mshchem]

I agree. Providing you can afford it.

Mi dos centavos.

Agreed!!!

 

[John Wiegerink]

If folks are looking for economical film, I am surprised that more people seem to mention Foma than Kentmere,, especially since Kentmere is available in 120 size. On Freestyle, I don't see a big price advantage for Foma, but perhaps in other places it is different.

I've recently been shooting some Foma 100 and while it's certainly not my favorite film it does what it's supposed to do. I have never shot any of the Kentmere brand films, but my 15 rolls of Kentmere 100 in 120 just arrived from Freestyle a couple of days ago. If it's anything like FP4+ I think I will like it better than Foma 100.
Now for my one B&W film. If money were no object it would be TMY2, but since it is I would have to go with HP5+. HP5+ has a lot of versatility and I like that more than anything. Of course I'm not shooting hardly anything smaller than 120.

 

[Arthurwg]

Switching from TX to HP5 because of the price.

 

[bags27]

Anyone rolling their own to keep costs in check? I've been tempted, but there are other dark room things I'd rather work on first.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Anyone rolling their own to keep costs in check? I've been tempted, but there are other dark room things I'd rather work on first.

No. I used to but I have a lot of film in the freezer and it would take much too long to shoot a bulk roll since I shoot much more 120 film rather than 35mm.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I am surprised that more people seem to mention Foma than Kentmere,, especially since Kentmere is available in 120 size.

When this thread started, Kentmere wasn't yet available in 120.

Anyone rolling their own to keep costs in check? I've been tempted, but there are other dark room things I'd rather work on first.

I've got (IIRC) six bulk loaders, with .EDU Ultra 400, Kentmere 100, ORWO DN21 (ISO 12), a couple that are buried in a storage tub with .EDU Ultra 100 and 400, and one that's waiting on my finding/making a replacement crank.

 

[Väinö Louekari]

Fp4+

 

[FriedLouisStudio]

Tri-X, of course. I've been shooting it continuously since the 60s.

 

[relistan]

Ilford Delta 100 would be it for me. Absolute favorite film that is still manufactured.

 

[markjwyatt]

I was looking at it again when scoping sheet film availability recently ; but put off when I saw warnings about not using it in Pyro developers.
Now, was CHS 100 supposed to the the closest thing to the old APX 100, or am I mis-remembering what Adox said when it was introduced ?

No, that is ADOX Silvermax, which is out of production.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

It would most likely be Rollei IR. It's useful as a regular BW film with extended red, or as an IR film. Also available in 35mm to 4x5.

 

[Mark J]

No, that is ADOX Silvermax, which is out of production.

Ah yes - thanks.

 

[David R Williams]

TMY-2.

Straight-line response from a quick toe that provides excellent shadow speed (good shadow details in Zone II), is very responsive to changes in development timing and differing developers, provides excellent product quality and reliability (now that the 120 backing paper issues are behind us), excellent resolution & sharpness, and fine grain that matches, or comes close to, traditional 100-speed films, all in a true 400 speed film.

And, it's spectral profile results in blue skies rendering darker than most other films (TMX excepted, which has the same characteristic) meaning it's like shooting outdoors with a mild yellow filter without requiring the filter and the 1/2 stop loss of speed.

 

[Cluke95]

Ilford HP5+ for all kinds of reasons already listed. I already burn up 6-9 rolls each month anyway, do why switch now.

 

[mshchem]

TMY-2.

Straight-line response from a quick toe that provides excellent shadow speed (good shadow details in Zone II), is very responsive to changes in development timing and differing developers, provides excellent product quality and reliability (now that the 120 backing paper issues are behind us), excellent resolution & sharpness, and fine grain that matches, or comes close to, traditional 100-speed films, all in a true 400 speed film.

And, it's spectral profile results in blue skies rendering darker than most other films (TMX excepted, which has the same characteristic) meaning it's like shooting outdoors with a mild yellow filter without requiring the filter and the 1/2 stop loss of speed.

Greatest film all around use.

 

[Michael Heller]

HP-5

 

[SodaAnt]

Pan F Plus

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

HIE

 

[Jim Peterson]

Acros 100 mostly for it's reciprocity for long exposures, but also great for normal exposures.