Medium format film choices

lynettemax · Mar 31, 2010

Hey everyone,
I was just wondering what types of film people have had good luck with.
I normally use Kodak TMAX. Im a little hesitant to use another brand of film because I have had such good luck with it.However, I am always looking for improvements.
So my question is, what type of film do you use for Medium format, and what do you like the most about it.
Thanks!
Lynette

Necator · Mar 31, 2010

Fomapan 100, because it develops so well in Rodinal. Quite cheap also.

lynettemax · Mar 31, 2010

I guess I should have included that I mostly use kodak D-76 developer. I have never used Rodinal but I have heard good things about it, so i might even try that out. I love the quite cheap part also. As a student i need to save all I can thanks!

lynettemax · Mar 31, 2010

I completely agree, i just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything completely amazing.

Rinthe · Mar 31, 2010

Necator said:
Fomapan 100, because it develops so well in Rodinal. Quite cheap also.

what do you mean it develops well in Rodinal? wouldn't it develop well in all developer?

viridari · Apr 1, 2010

I've been playing with a lot of different B&W films but I have to say that I've been very impressed with Fuji Neopan Acros, and you can't beat the price (at least in the US market anyway).

click thumbnail for high res

Jeff L · Apr 1, 2010

Likely you won't get better film that TMAX, but you may get different. Kodak, Ilford and Fuji make amazing film that will all give you the very top notch in results, with different personalities. D-76, XTOL, DD-X, HC110, Rodinal all excellent developers too. Hard to go wrong with the quality that's out there today. Technique and consistency will give you great results.

Black Dog · Apr 1, 2010

I'd second that-consistency is definitely the key, but don't forget to try new films every now and then as well as your regulars...bit like real ales rreally!

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 1, 2010

I will second the sentiments that you will not find film that is 'better' than Kodak Tmax, but some that are different.

In the years I have practiced photography I have come to find out that for the most part it matters more how you use your materials than what materials you use. If you are truly looking for improvements, look within yourself and to your technique. Experiment with what you have got at hand.

Then, to satisfy your curiosity, there is nothing wrong with trying new materials. But I would not expect improvements from it. Just different results.

To boot, Tmax 400 can be processed to look like other films tonality wise by altering how you expose and process it. When I use it with Xtol, I can expose it at EI 800, and agitate a lot, like 5s every 30s (I normally agitate 10s every two or three minutes depending on lighting), and get results that look a whole lot like Tri-X 320.

Good luck!

ccasparian · Apr 1, 2010

One of my faves across formats is Ilford HP-5. It's a bit grainy even for 400 but I find I go back to that more frequently than ever because IMO grain is one of the areas where digital imaging can't hold a candle to film (among others). In other words, if you like the look of true film grain, with its organic edges, this is a great stock to use. Cheers, CC

Black Dog · Apr 2, 2010

HP5+ is great with Perceptol IMO, as is Delta 400-developer choice can make a big difference [and a massive can of worms]. Very happy with how it looks in PCAT though.

Ektagraphic · Apr 2, 2010

If you like TMAX, why change?

jp498 · Apr 2, 2010

I'd suggest sticking to Tmax and trying a different developer or two. I started with D76, now I'm into XTOL. I've tried it straight, 1+1, and 1+2 with pleasing results, and now I'm going to try Caffeinol-C.

BetterSense · Apr 2, 2010

I also recommend sticking with Tmax. If I wasn't concerned with budget, I would probably shoot TMY in everything. As already mentioned, it's made in every format.

photoncatcher · Apr 2, 2010

Plus-x all the way. I started shooting it when I was a photo specialist in the USAF, and it,s still my go to film in 35mm, and 120. Developed in D-76 1:1. I'm always happy with the results.

DanielStone · Apr 2, 2010

Plus-X and Tri-X are great films. I've started using those two in 35mm as my go-to films, just because I can get them re-rolled from Freestle for about $2/roll.

look for Arista Premium, the 100 is PX, and the 400 is TX.

just wish they had them in 120, I'd give up on shooting Nikons, and just shoot my RZ.

Tmax 400 is a super duper film IMO, as Thomas B. said, you can expose/develop it to give you many different 'looks', depending on how you want to convey a certain photograph. If you're only shooting 35mm though, definitely try the AP 100/400, its a great cost-saving alternative to the "yellow box" . same thing, just in a maroon box .

D-76 is a great developer. I've switched over the HC-110 though, primarily because it's easier to measure out in small batches, and you don't have to mix a whole gallon at a time. Like you do with D-76, just straight from the concentrate with HC.

-Dan

NormanV · Apr 2, 2010

I have recently come back to photography after a 20 year gap and went straight back to HP5 rated at 200asa and ID11. Everything picked up where I left off. You can't ask for better consistency than that!

lynettemax · Apr 3, 2010

DanielStone said:
look for Arista Premium, the 100 is PX, and the 400 is TX.

In high school I used Arista Edu, it was great because of the price and the fact that I was new to the idea. However, sometimes I felt like it was unreliable at times... Is there a big difference in quality?
-Lynette

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 3, 2010

There is a rather large difference in quality between Kodak and Foma (Arista EDU). As a matter of fact, Foma is currently dealing with a quality problem in their 100 speed film.

But as stated before, if you like Tmax, keep using it. If you can't afford it, the Arista Premium 100 and 400 (Plus-X and Tri-X) are superb films also.

Good luck with your choice.

- Thomas

lynettemax said:
In high school I used Arista Edu, it was great because of the price and the fact that I was new to the idea. However, sometimes I felt like it was unreliable at times... Is there a big difference in quality?
-Lynette

lynettemax · Apr 6, 2010

Thanks for the advice!
I went ahead and bought two rolls today and I will process them as soon as I can

chriscrawfordphoto · Apr 6, 2010

Tmax films look identical in their 120 and 35mm versions, very consistent. I use them for almost everything, and if you already like them and are used to how they work, you might as well stick to them so you don't have to learn a new film while starting with medium format.

Hikingman · Apr 9, 2010

Ilford and Kodak are tops on my black/white list at the moment. However, I'm moving from the C41 type (XP2) to order HC110 to develop w/ other Ilford/Kodak films, Plus-X, FP4, and others.

Here's recent test rolls from two Yashica TLR's:

XP2 Super Set w/ Yashica A (Flickr)
Portra 160NC Set w/ Yashica Mat LM (Flickr)

Medium format film choices

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