Low light/long exposure film recommendation

Timothy Hyde · May 19, 2020

I have an upcoming shoot of interior spaces in very low light (indirect window light in most cases). I will be using a medium format camera on a tripod. What black and white film do folks recommend for long exposures, nighttime shooting?
Thank you
Tim

John Bragg · May 19, 2020

Depends what look you are after. Any medium speed film would do, but look up the manufacturers recommendations for long exposures including reciprocity failure. Also bracket widely. Good luck.

Stanislav Boščík · May 19, 2020

Neopan Acros is well known for (almost) not having reciprocity failure. Up to two minutes of exposing you can ignore it! AFAIK Acros II is the same/similar.

Alan9940 · May 19, 2020

If you're looking for a film where you won't have to be too concerned about reciprocity failure, then it's Acros 100 all the way (as stated above.)

ic-racer · May 19, 2020

DELTA 3200 in 120 size has the best low light sensitivity of any other 120 size film as far as I know.

Pioneer · May 19, 2020

I would go with Delta 3200.

osella · May 19, 2020

It probably depends on how long your exposures are but as others have said it’s pretty hard to beat Delta 3200. See post #8 in this thread, It seems up to a metered exposure of about 15 minutes Delta has a speed advantage over Acros. Edit: forgot the link. https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/delta-3200-reciprocity-failure.49786/

jimjm · May 19, 2020

Unless you need fast film, Fuji Acros is excellent, as others have mentioned.

MattKing · May 19, 2020

I get good results with either of the T-Max films when shooting pinhole, so I expect they would be suitable for long exposure interiors as well.
As for reciprocity issues, you need to account for them with the T-Max films, but not as much as for Tri-X or other similar films.

Low light/long exposure film recommendation

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