indecision syndrome TMX,Acros,APX100

[dpurdy]

It is not funny, I really do have a degree of indecision syndrome and it derails my decision making for months or years on end.

Here is my problem. I have to invest some money in 120 film before the end of the year. I have been stressing over the decision all year long. Is there really any difference between ACROS and Tmax 100? I like these film because I can process them in Beutlers and they are still very fine grained.

I have 50 some rolls of 120 APX100 frozen, should I sell it and add to my other film investment? In my apug research I read someone saying that 120 APX 100 in Rodinal is magical. Is there some less subjective way of describing what different films offer?

Should I just buy the cheapest film.. Acros I think. Sell the APX?

Dennis

 

[PhotoJim]

Shoot the APX 100 you have. Why take a loss on it? There's nothing wrong with this film.

As for which to use afterward, you can start experimenting anytime. Try some of each. See which you like better.

If you spend too much time chasing the magic bullet you'll not spend any time shooting. Besides, who is to say that someone else's "magical" is yours?

Pick one film. Shoot it. Develop it. Tinker with different developers if you like (on noncritical subjects). See what you like. If you find something that really works for you, take baby steps out from that point. For example, when I discovered how nice Tri-X in PMK was I started trying Plus-X, FP-4 and HP-5, since they are broadly similar films chemically. These experiments bore a lot of fruit for me.

I tend to experiment to excess myself, but I have core products that I use consistently. Everything else is experimentation for fun, and very occasionally I discover something that rocks my world a bit. That's great, but find those epiphanies somewhat organically. Don't force them.

 

[dpurdy]

I have been doing that all year. and it is time now to make the film buy. As to the APX, I think I would actually probably make a profit on it since I see it sell on ebay for way more than I paid. That is what makes me think I might sell it. 50 rolls might bring back 75 rolls. It is still fresh dated and I bought it out of a Pro store fridge. I guess I should get some of each and forget it.

 

[Uhner]

Keep the APX. Buy a bottle of Rodinal but do not use AGFA’s development recommendations – they are way to long.

Regarding TMAX and Acros… If you are happy with Acros: go with Acros.

Regarding a less subjective way of describing what different films have to offer: consult the manufacturers data sheets, in particular the characteristic curves. But then again, they will not tell you everything. Film assessments are to a large extent subjective.

 

[PhotoJim]

If you're not heavily invested into APX, you could sell it if it would make you a profit. I've never bothered doing this, but that's up to you.

Get a small number of each of the new films and try them in your normal developers. Stick for awhile with whichever one impresses you more. If neither does, choose at random.

 

[Paul Green]

Why dont you want to use the apx100? is it just the idea that if you sell it youll be able to buy more of the others? or dont you like the film? Acros is a lovely film although so is the Kodak, but Fuji wins for me
Paul.

 

[Peter Schrager]

new films

I too had a huge stock of the apx100 and dumped it for a fair price last year on apug. swithed over to the fuji acros and I have never looked back. dev it for 10:20 in rodinal @1:100@75 degrees on a beseler motor base continuous time. this combo gives you a perfect grade 3 neg to print with...
it will leave tmax100 in the dust so to speak....I've made my best prints with this combo
Best, Peter

 

[Peter Williams]

I love Acros. I get great results in most conditions with it, but I standardize on it because I love night photography and I can always just shoot at box speed and get easily printable negatives.

 

[titrisol]

AMEN!

I too had a huge stock of the apx100 and dumped it for a fair price last year on apug. swithed over to the fuji acros and I have never looked back. dev it for 10:20 in rodinal @1:100@75 degrees on a beseler motor base continuous time. this combo gives you a perfect grade 3 neg to print with...
it will leave tmax100 in the dust so to speak....I've made my best prints with this combo
Best, Peter