Kodak to Ilford

Chuck_P · Oct 17, 2005

I've been a Kodak user for a long time. I have never really given much thought to other products, but am thinking that it is something that I should probably start contemplating, given all the discussion about shutdowns, company problems, etc....... I use HC-110, MF in TX, TMY, TMX----dektol, indicator stop, kodafix with polycontrast IV RC (not set up for fiber, but will be some day, hopefully!), and polymax filters.

I'm hoping that one of you Ilford followers can list products that are along the same lines as that above, give me a starting point for my own research on, what seems to be a impending switch to a more stable product line. Wait!! Ilford is stable isn't it?!!!

Not saying that I will abandon Kodak anytime soon, but I do want to be prepared for that event, if it comes to that.

Forum discussions on the doom and gloom of Kodak and film always get me thinking about this, so now I'm acting on it. Thanks for any comments.

Chuck

Travis Nunn · Oct 17, 2005

About the only Ilford product I use anymore is Ilford Rapidfix.

As far as film goes, give Fuji Neopan ACROS a try. Its a great film.

MikeK · Oct 17, 2005

Chuck1 said:
I've been a Kodak user for a long time. I have never really given much thought to other products, but am thinking that it is something that I should probably start contemplating, given all the discussion about shutdowns, company problems, etc....... I use HC-110, MF in TX, TMY, TMX----dektol, indicator stop, kodafix with polycontrast IV RC (not set up for fiber, but will be some day, hopefully!), and polymax filters.

I'm hoping that one of you Ilford followers can list products that are along the same lines as that above, give me a starting point for my own research on, what seems to be a impending switch to a more stable product line. Wait!! Ilford is stable isn't it?!!!

Not saying that I will abandon Kodak anytime soon, but I do want to be prepared for that event, if it comes to that.

Forum discussions on the doom and gloom of Kodak and film always get me thinking about this, so now I'm acting on it. Thanks for any comments.

Chuck

Over the past few months I have migrated back to Ilford film products. I have always been a fan of FP4 and recently have come to re-appreciate HP5+; and these have become my standard films for 120, 5x7 and 8x10. I am holding out with TMX in readyloads for 4x5 and pray that I will have some years good shooting with this combination. It's not so much the film but the small and lightweight package and dust free environment that's the attraction. Now FP4 or HP5 in Readyloads yummee.

My developer combination is either D76 used 1:1 or 1:3 or Pyrocat.

Mike

david b · Oct 17, 2005

I have switched everything to Ilford as well. I figure I will have to at some point so why not now?

I am using HP5+ (at 250) in my xpan and FP4+ (at 100) in my Hasselblad 503. I develope them both in ID-11 1+1.

In the darkroom I use Ilford papers but still use Dektol. I'll be switching that soon too.

clogz · Oct 17, 2005

Ilford equivalents to Kodak products: http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/wwpal.html

Adrian Twiss · Oct 17, 2005

I have been an Ilford man all my days. Mainly HP5 in LF and FP4/PanF for 35mm and MF. I am starting to experiment with Eastern European film stock (EFKE). Never been that fond of Kodak for some reason.

127 · Oct 17, 2005

Adrian Twiss said:
I have been an Ilford man all my days. ...Never been that fond of Kodak for some reason.

I think it's a UK thing... I don't recall even seeing a roll of Kodak b&w film. I can buy Ilford in the shop I buy my lunchtime sandwiches from (including 5x4 sheets on a good day! [though to be fair this isn't an average corner shop]). At the Gathering at the weekend, the only film I saw (other than my Efke 127) was Ilford.

B&W film in the UK IS Ilford.

Ian

rbarker · Oct 17, 2005

I made the switch to Ilford several years ago, when I decided it made sense for me to support a company that was actually interested in my B&W business. It will be easier than you might suspect, Chuck.

The product equivalency chart on the Ilford site, for which Clogz provided a link, is helpful. You''ll note a few Ilford B&W products for which Big Yellow no longer sells something similar. There are also rumors that Ilford may produce a slow, ultra-fine grain (T-grained) B&W film in the form of Delta 25, to fill the market gap left by the demise of Tech Pan. We'll have to wait and see on that, but Ilford seems to be serious about being "the last man standing" in the traditional B&W film/paper space.

Andy K · Oct 17, 2005

Apart from a few bottles of Rodinal (if Agfa ever stop making the holy hot Rod I'll be devastated!), I buy all Ilford.
I shoot mainly Pan F and Delta 100, I have some HP5 and FP4 in the fridge too, but I see thos as 'winter stock' for those dull days! I also have DDX for developing and Multigrade and Ilfostop for paper. I have several boxes of Ilford MGIV RC Pearle in the fridge in various sizes.
I find Ilford products easier to get than Kodak, but ever since Kodak succumbed to the teat of the digital jezebel I have tried to avoid their products, although I do have some sachets of powdered XTOL in the kitchen, enough to make up 5 litres (it was on 'sale' in my local jessops for £1.50!).

Andy.

seadrive · Oct 17, 2005

127 said:
(including 5x4 sheets on a good day! [though to be fair this isn't an average corner shop]).

Holy ham and cheese, Batman! Sheet film in a sandwich shop???

Sounds like a Monty Python skit. Gotta love you Brits!

I try not to get religious about these things, but Ilford has plenty of fine films and papers, so making the switch shouldn't be any problem. If you're used to Tri-X, why not pick up some HP-5+ and compare?

George Papantoniou · Oct 17, 2005

t_nunn said:
About the only Ilford product I use anymore is Ilford Rapidfix.

As far as film goes, give Fuji Neopan ACROS a try. Its a great film.

Travis, if the rumors are true (that Fuji films are made by Ilford / or are rebranded Delta films) then there is no real reason to use Acros (Delta 100), is there ??? Unless you can find it cheaper than the Ilford-branded product where you live...

I think Ilford films are just great (FP4 is TOP) and should be used by everyone, in order to reward the firm's conviction to manufacturing B&W products. May THEY be the last man standing, if there has to be one (and not more)...

Travis Nunn · Oct 17, 2005

George Papantoniou said:
Travis, if the rumors are true (that Fuji films are made by Ilford / or are rebranded Delta films) then there is no real reason to use Acros (Delta 100), is there ??? Unless you can find it cheaper than the Ilford-branded product where you live...

I generally buy my film from B&H and there is no real difference in price. I have to say that I have never heard the rumor that Fuji b/w films are made by Ilford. I have never used FP4 and I have limited experience with Delta 100 and its been a couple of years, but I don't remember getting the same results from it that I get from ACROS. It may be worth my while to buy a few rolls of Delta 100 and FP4 to try.

laz · Oct 17, 2005

127 said:
I think it's a UK thing...I can buy Ilford in the shop I buy my lunchtime sandwiches from (including 5x4 sheets on a good day! Ian

Proof that England despite not being a world power anymore still is the most civilized country on earth!
-Bob

timeUnit · Oct 17, 2005

Fuji films are NOT rebranded Ilford Delta. The Neopan films have a unique look that is not even close to Ilford.

The japanese market is huge, why I would be extremely surprised that one of the largest film manufacturers in the world would outsource it's BW films to little Ilford.

Tom Stanworth · Oct 18, 2005

timeUnit said:
Fuji films are NOT rebranded Ilford Delta. The Neopan films have a unique look that is not even close to Ilford.

The japanese market is huge, why I would be extremely surprised that one of the largest film manufacturers in the world would outsource it's BW films to little Ilford.

I agree. I have used acros and 400 and 1600 neopan and they bear no relation to any available ilford branded films. Acros is nothing like delta 100 whatsoever. HP5 plus is totaly different to neopan 400 and I have shot a fair bt recently side to side with triX as well! ll three are quite different.

George Papantoniou · Oct 18, 2005

OK all, I agree that the rumors that I have been repeating should not be taken as being true... after all, I haven't (yet) tested the two films in the same tank to see with my own eyes the results, so I (normally) shouldn't be speaking here (but I am not normal, so I do).

Black Dog · Oct 18, 2005

The Fuji film that IS made by Ilford is Neopan 400CN-at least that's what I read in B&W Photography (the UK version). As for Kodak products....I'm snapping for En-ger-land (but it would be nice if Ilford made an AZO equivalent).Now to go and buy a BIG freezer!

kunihiko · Oct 18, 2005

I've heard that rumor long time ago. It was about Fuji NEOPAN 100 PRESTO. The 100 PRESTO was newer than 100 SS, and had gone soon before 100 ACROS come out. Maybe a kind of setupper ? Current NEOPAN line - 100 ACROS, 400 PRESTO, 1600 Super PRESTO are very good, I think, and quite cheap here in Japan(^-^)

Andy K · Oct 18, 2005

Interesting, the two film makers, still dedicated to making film, both from small island nations at either end of the Eurasian continent. Just an observation, I don't know if it has any relevence, lol!

Kodak to Ilford

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