In defense of 100 (and 125) ISO film

[dxqcanada]

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]

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

 

[alanrockwood]

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Good question. Answer: not very often for me.

 

[BrianShaw]

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Yes

 

[Pioneer]

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]

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Yes, parades, performers, street action.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

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]

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]

+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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Sirius Glass]

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

Often, therefore the choice of ISO 400 films.

 

[GregY]

You guys ever photograph moving subjects?

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