In defense of 100 (and 125) ISO film

dxqcanada · Oct 4, 2023

For a while during my 35mm B&W darkroom phase the two films I used a lot were Kodak Panatomic-X (32) or Ilford Pan F plus (50) ... I hardly ever used any film above 100.

agentlossing · Oct 4, 2023

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

alanrockwood · Oct 4, 2023

agentlossing said:
You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Good question. Answer: not very often for me.

BrianShaw · Oct 4, 2023

agentlossing said:
You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Yes

Pioneer · Oct 4, 2023

I'm an HP5+ pusher or a Delta 3200 puller. Gotta have at least EI800.

With these shaky old hands I need fast shutter speeds.

But if I'm not shooting fast films then I am shooting Adox CMS 20 II Pro from a tripod. Or using up the last of my Efke 25.

But I did recently buy nine rolls of Adox CHS 100 a couple of weeks ago so I guess I'll be testing that pretty soon.

bluechromis · Oct 4, 2023

agentlossing said:
You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Yes, parades, performers, street action.

Thomas Bertilsson · Oct 5, 2023

I'm most definitely a 400 speed user, HP5+ and Kentmere 400 (or Rollei RPX400). 35mm and 120. But the odd roll of FP4+ sneaks in, primarily for pinhole, and currently I'm trying some Rollei RPX25 in 35mm for landscapes while hiking. But 400 is what my instincts are tuned to, so it's 95% of what I use.

Film-Niko · Oct 5, 2023

BrianShaw said:
You’re among friends, @alanrockwood !

I only wish that the thread was entitled, “In praise of…” rather than stated in the negative/defensive. Medium speed film (or photographers using it) really don’t need to be defended.

+1.
I am using mostly medium and slow speed films, especially in 35mm format. I generally like to make bigger enlargements, and for that medium and low speed films offer the high quality I want.
And I am benefitting from using the modern f1.4 top-quality lenses, as they offer superior performance at open aperture and slightly stopped down, so using medium speed film is possible even in not so well-lit situations.
In medium format I am forced to use higher speed film more often compared to 35mm, because of the slower lenses. But also in medium format I use medium speed as often as possible.

warden · Oct 5, 2023

Film-Niko said:
+1.
I am using mostly medium and slow speed films, especially in 35mm format. I generally like to make bigger enlargements, and for that medium and low speed films offer the high quality I want.
And I am benefitting from using the modern f1.4 top-quality lenses, as they offer superior performance at open aperture and slightly stopped down, so using medium speed film is possible even in not so well-lit situations.
In medium format I am forced to use higher speed film more often compared to 35mm, because of the slower lenses. But also in medium format I use medium speed as often as possible.

Much the same here. Slower films for 35mm and faster ones for 120 are a good fit for me.

abruzzi · Oct 5, 2023

agentlossing said:
You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

not often, but it wouldn't really make a difference in a land of sunny 16, I can do ƒ16 1/125, ƒ11 1/250, ƒ8 1/500 (thats the fastest any of my shutters go.)

Wallendo · Oct 5, 2023

I tend to shoot 100/125 speed film in the summer. My older cameras often max out at 1/500th of a second and that forces me to shoot mostly at f16 when shooting 400 speed film.

I tend to shoot 400 speed film in the winter when there isn't as much light.

john_s · Oct 6, 2023

One film, two developers HP5+ in Pyrocat-HD (not full box speed for me), and ID-68 (Microphen) for indoors, children etc. Also two film sizes, 135 and 120 which sort of takes the place of two different films, in terms of results, depth of field considerations etc.

foc · Oct 6, 2023

How about this idea, "one speed fits all".

Sirius Glass · Oct 6, 2023

agentlossing said:
You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Often, therefore the choice of ISO 400 films.

GregY · Oct 6, 2023

agentlossing said:
You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Yes...& I use 400 iso for those since i almost always use a yellow or orange filter....

In defense of 100 (and 125) ISO film

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