Loving Neopan 400

bob100684 · Sep 15, 2009

when processed as a negative myself:

Or a positive through DR5:

Tom Stanworth · Sep 17, 2009

Its an oft ignored great film. Done right it has classic tones, fine grain for a traditional 400 speed and very clear base. Its my favourite 400, esp in 35mm where its resolving power far exceeds TriX and HP5+. Useful if you dont want to give up too much detail but need the speed.

If you like this film but need 2/3 to a stop more speed, try the 1600. Rate it a stop faster than the speed you use for the 400 and enjoy! I rate it at 500-640 in my Leica M (Neopan 400 at 250-320 normally) in Xtol 1+2. Wonderful stuff with similar grain and resolving power to TriX but with mroe speed. similar look too...

36cm2 · Sep 17, 2009

I have not tried it myself, as I primarily use HP5 in that speed range, but I was at a workshop with Bruce Barnbaum a few months ago where he suggested to me that Neopan 400 might be better suited than HP5 to situations where compensating development techniques are needed. He seemed more confident with Neopan 400's flexibility and response to extended and reduced development to control tonal range. Anyone had that experience? I've been considering switching over, which (along the lines of another recent thread) would result in my using only neopan films across all my formats and speeds.

Jeff Kubach · Sep 17, 2009

I usually use HP5 most of the time but looking at the photos I might use Neopan 400 more often.

Jeff

Tom Kershaw · Sep 17, 2009

36cm2 said:
I have not tried it myself, as I primarily use HP5 in that speed range, but I was at a workshop with Bruce Barnbaum a few months ago where he suggested to me that Neopan 400 might be better suited than HP5 to situations where compensating development techniques are needed. He seemed more confident with Neopan 400's flexibility and response to extended and reduced development to control tonal range. Anyone had that experience? I've been considering switching over, which (along the lines of another recent thread) would result in my using only neopan films across all my formats and speeds.

Has Bruce Barnbaum gone at least partly over to medium format cameras?

Tom

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 17, 2009

The only thing you need to watch with Neopan 400, which is a stunning film, is the shoulder. If you don't watch it, it's very easy to block up the highlights. By using developers that respond well to agitation change, like Rodinal or Pyrocat; or if you use compensating developers such as Diafine, you should be fine. But with normal developers such as Xtol, especially stock, you need to be careful. It's still not difficult to get fabulous tones from this film, just be precise like clock work and understand what exposure and development does to the film, and you will have an amazing companion in Neopan 400.

- Thomas

chef_IBK · Sep 17, 2009

i luv it tooo..

Before i was into Ilford , but when my local used photo-shop suggested me to try it out.. never went back... always fullfill my expectations ...when u still wondering how the pics will b... preatty much like this one.. taken with a Rollei B 35 in a lake in Tirol Austria this summer....enjoy

Bosaiya · Sep 17, 2009

Neopan 400 is an outstanding film. I develop in Rodinal 1:50 and it's beautiful. My only complain is that it's not available in sheets.

perkeleellinen · Sep 17, 2009

I'm also a fan of this film (and the 1600 flavour). I use HC-110, usually adding 20% to the recommended developing time. Been using it for ten years or so now.

keithwms · Sep 17, 2009

Indeed, I have been a fan of neopan 400 for quite a while. Love it in xtol.

That's a good idea, Bosaiya, to try to get it in sheets. Let's write to Fuji-san.....

Jesper · Sep 17, 2009

Neopan 400 and Rodinal for all 24x36mm and 6x6cm and loving it.
A pity that it is not available in 8x10.

Bosaiya · Sep 17, 2009

keithwms said:
Indeed, I have been a fan of neopan 400 for quite a while. Love it in xtol.

That's a good idea, Bosaiya, to try to get it in sheets. Let's write to Fuji-san.....

You let me know where to send the letter and I'll send it. I'd dump HP5+ for it in a heartbeat.

keithwms · Sep 17, 2009

Maybe Dirk at megaperls (Japan Exposures) would know. Last time I communicated with Fuji-san I just wrote to their US HQ and eventually got a response. at the time I was requesting fp100b in 8x10 sizes :rolleyes:

How about we just compose an open letter here, get peopel to sign on to express interest, and if we get enough interest we can forward the thread to Fuji-san. (Meanwhile Simon at Ilford can sit back and enjoy )

Bosaiya · Sep 17, 2009

I'm in. I'm guessing the response you got was not what you had hoped for.

No disrespect meant to Ilford, I quite like HP5+, I just like Neopan 400 much more!

arealitystudios · Sep 17, 2009

I would agree that Neopan 400 is an amazing film. Developed in Rodinal the look is just sublime.

I also wish they made this stuff in 8x10.

JLP · Sep 17, 2009

Neopan in 8x10, yes i am in and would be for Acros 100 too but, not if the prices are be comparable to the new 10 sheet boxes of Acros.

Bosaiya · Sep 17, 2009

I ended up sending an inquiry through this web form:
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/support/ServiceSupportContactForm.do?catid=464128&prodcat=233844

Bosaiya · Sep 21, 2009

Got this from a US rep:

We will not be making NEO 400 4x5. That’s an easy one – we do not do special requests for film like this in the USA. You would have to source it from some international source and see if it even exists as an export item….there are several large format clubs who know where to buy from.

Good luck with the quest to get that one – but know we DO have Acros 100 4x5.

Leighgion · Sep 21, 2009

I've only experimented briefly with Neopan and kind of messed up my development, but it still yielded some shots I really like.

brian steinberger · Sep 21, 2009

Neopan 400 in 120 is my main film and has been for years. I get nice results with Xtol 1:1, though have been doing more work lately with Rodinal at different dilutions with good success so far. You can't go wrong with this film.

Tom Stanworth · Sep 24, 2009

I use Xtol 1+2 and do 3-4 gentle inversions per min. I dont find problems with highlight blocking up, but then again Xtol 1+2 is pretty gentle going esp with modest agitation.

peterkant · Sep 24, 2009

I love it with moersch finol @320, now I'm doing some test pushing to 1600 with HC-110

Richard Jepsen · Sep 24, 2009

Tri-X has a somewhat long toe which is why de-rating Tri-X to 200 works well. For open shadows, what should Neopan 400 be rated at?

BetterSense · Sep 24, 2009

I can't really help you with that one since I always shoot Neopan 400 in my meterless cameras. When metering, though, I've used it at 400, developed 9 min in D76 1+1, just like the box says, with very good results but I'll use 200 in the daylight to try to tame the harsh TX sunlight.

brian steinberger · Sep 25, 2009

Richard Jepsen said:
Tri-X has a somewhat long toe which is why de-rating Tri-X to 200 works well. For open shadows, what should Neopan 400 be rated at?

Richard, it really depends on the brightness range of your scene and your developer. If using a developer like Xtol in bright sunlight I find that my shadow detail is acceptable at EI 400. But when I shoot in overcast light, I expose Neopan 400 at EI 250 and develop in Rodinal. This EI only works when I develop in Rodinal. If I used Xtol after shooting Neopan at EI 250 I would get completely different results. Xtol offers more speed than Rodinal. You need to first choose a developer and then run a few test rolls and find out what works for you.

Loving Neopan 400

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