Need some help with 1950s films

[N467RX]

So, I'm going to test a Bolsey B2 camera that my dad has at home and I'm trying to pick a film accordingly, something that has a lower ISO as I don't know if that camera can handle today film speeds.

The list has
-Super XX
-Supreme
-Plus-X
-Pan-X
-Ultraspeed Pan

-I take it that Pan-X is Panatomic-X (ISO 32??). Is Pan-X really short for Panatomic? or was there something called Pan-X? Plus-X, has it always been rated for ISO125? Or was it rated to something lower back then, because everything else seems to be very low (like Kodachrome Dayl't and Type A). What about Super-XX? Does anyone know that or something about the other films, called Supreme and Ultraspeed Pan?

It seems like I can get films from Adox, Efke and Rollei in ISO 25-32 and 50, and Ilford in 50, so that might be what I buy

 

[nworth]

Grabbing my trusty 1950 era PLI handbook, I find:

Kodak Super XX ASA 100 daylight, 64 tungsten
Ansco Supreme ASA 50 daylight, 32 tungsten
Kodak Plus X ASA 50 daylight, 32 tungsten
Kodak Panatomic X ASA 25 daylight, 16 tungsten
Ansco Ultra Speed Pan ASA 100 daylight 64 tungsten

 

[2F/2F]

Super XX would be the fastest Kodak film of the bunch that you listed, I think – probably ASA 100 speed. Ultraspeed Pan is probably the same speed, maybe ASA 200 speed max. I'm not sure.

You should be able to do fine with anything 100 speed or below.

Pan-X is short for Panatomic X.

 

[Roger Cole]

I'm not sure the Plus X and Pan X were really slower then than later. Back then the tended to under rate speeds on neg film to ensure enough exposure with simple cameras and meters. Later on film speeds became much more realistic.

 

[Whiteymorange]

Just shoot any of the 100 speed films out there- or Plus X, which I rate at 100 as well. These seem to work pretty well in all my simple old cameras.

 

[jerl]

To me, I don't think you need to worry about film being too fast- overexposure should be fine as long as you develop accordingly. Any of the 100 speed films should have enough latitude to handle a few stops of overexposure, although the 50 speed films will work fine too. I suppose you could always just use a ND filter to compensate.

 

[Paul Howell]

Efke films use the old Adox and Dupont formulas from the 50s, the ISO 100 and 50 films should give a 50 look. I think you still get Efke film from Freestyle Film Company.

 

[pbromaghin]

T-Max 400 gives me room to use a red filter on my old Zeiss. I think your B2 will take a Series V filter adaptor.

 

[N467RX]

Well, I ended up buying a roll of Adox 25 and two of Efke 50, I figure the looks will be appropriate. I'm not getting filters or anything, as of right now, I don't know if the camera works properly and I still gotta figure out how to use it. I tested the shutter back in December and it worked, but that's all I know that works, and the tab that secures the back to the camera needs a bit of adjustement/cleaning. So we'll see.

 

[cmacd123]

REmember that the ASA speeds doubled when the spec was redefined, for example old 200 ASA became 400ASA. (the film speed did not change.) so set it for Plus-x and feel free to use modern 100ISO film.

 

[N467RX]

And when were the specs redefined?

 

[2F/2F]

I cannot seem to get to the second page of this thread.

There...that did it.

 

[nworth]

When the ASA procedures for measuring film speed changed, the metering standards did not. You use new films in old cameras the same way as old films, using the rated speed or your personal EI and setting the camera for the shutter speed and f/ number indicated by the meter.

The new way of measuring film speed did more than just eliminate the safety factor. It also changed the standard developing methods and a few other things involved in the speed determination. While for most films, the rated speed doubled (or nearly so), there were significant variations from film to film. Around that time films were also changing a quite a bit, so the picture is quite confusing.

 

[cmacd123]

And when were the specs redefined?

Apperently in the Mid 1950's era.