Question on film

[DavidS]

What are the top 5 black and white film products out there?

 

[unohuu]

I think that list will vary by photographer, camera format and shooting style. I like the Efke 25, 50 and 100, along with the Agfa 125 and the Fuji Neopan. Others will have differing opinions about this list.

 

[jd callow]

SXX, Verichome, TechPan, HIE, APX 25 in no specific order

 

[noseoil]

Have to agree with unohuu, Efke 100 must be somewhere at the top of the list. Also like their 25 for small formats and some scenes in LF (metallic surfaces, low contrast). FP4, Tri-x and J&C 400. tim

 

[Ole]

I will limit my choise to films available in sheet sizes, which rules out AGFA...

Ilford FP4+ and PanF+, MACO IR 820c, EFKE PL25 and PL100. I like the new MACO IR 820/400 too, but so far that's only in 35mm. I also liked AGFA APX100.

 

[titrisol]

Top5 on what basis? Tonality? Speed? Graininess?

I just use 35mm and 120
Slow films: EFKE 25, Ilford PanF+
Medium Speed: APX100, Neopan Acros, Ilford Fp4, EFKE Kb100
Fast Speed: Neopan 400, Ilford HP5, Kodak Tri-X
Superfast: Ilford Delta 3200, Neopan 1600

PS. Can;t give you an opinion on TMAX films because I don;t use them.

 

[geraldatwork]

For me Delta-400.

 

[John_Brewer]

For me Pan F in 35mm, Tri-x in 120 and JandC Pro 100 in sheet all souped in Rodinol. Paper is Ilford MG fibre based glossy.

 

[Jim Chinn]

You really need to specify for what format. Some films are simply unavailable in anything but 35mm and of course films that some find inapropriate for small formats are exceptional in sheet sizes.

Asking people to name the best film products is likely to provide no consensus, as everyone chooses a film based on a variety of factors such as format, subject, lighting, final print size, printing paper, alternative processes, price, tonality, contrast, expansion/contraction possibilities etc.

The same applies to papers, developers, toners, cameras, lenses, enlargers, easels, tongs, trays etc.

 

[alien]

1st Foma Classic 100
2nd Ilford Pan F +
3rd Ilford Delta 100
4th Kodak Tmax 400
5th Kodak Tmax 3200 in Tmax

All in Paterson FX 50, except Kodaks in Tmax

 

[Neal]

To my taste (in alphabetical order): Acros 100, Delta 100, HP5+, TMX, TMY.

Neal Wydra

 

[noblebeast]

Pan F+
Delta 400
Fp4+
Efke PL100
Delta 3200

 

[TPPhotog]

In no particular order as it depends on what I'm shooting Pan F+, FP4+, HP5+, Tri-X, Tmax 3200

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

In 35mm, 120 roll film and all sheet film sizes:

1. Efke 100
2. Efke 25
3. J and C Classic 400
4. Kodak TMAX 400
5. HP5+

 

[DavidS]

Didn't Kodak cancel their manufacturing any new film?

Top5 on what basis? Tonality? Speed? Graininess?
I just use 35mm and 120
Slow films: EFKE 25, Ilford PanF+
Medium Speed: APX100, Neopan Acros, Ilford Fp4
Fast Speed: Neopan 400, Ilford HP5, Kodak Tri-X
Superfast: Ilford Delta 3200, Neopan 1600

PS. Can;t give you an opinion on TMAX films because I don;t use them.

 

[David Brown]

<deleted>

 

[David Brown]

Didn't Kodak cancel their manufacturing any new film?

I seriously don't want to be rude, but wouldn't the publisher of a B&W photo magazine already know the answer to this? Or, are you trolling?

 

[titrisol]

Do you mean they are not "launching" any new film???
Or they are not "making" anymore film?

I guess both answers are no.. they are still in bussiness AFAIK

Didn't Kodak cancel their manufacturing any new film?

 

[shyguy]

I have never shot Efke 100, and i don't see it listed anywhere. What is it, and where can it be purchased in 4 x 5 sheets?

S.

 

[Dave Parker]

I seriously don't want to be rude, but wouldn't the publisher of a B&W photo magazine already know the answer to this? Or, are you trolling?

David,

I think you hit the nail on the head....! IMHO, but of course most know my opinon on this magazine.

Dave

 

[Rlibersky]

Bergger 200 sheet film
Plus-x 120 and 35
Ilford 3200 120 and 35

 

[Gan Idammah]

I have never shot Efke 100, and i don't see it listed anywhere. What is it, and where can it be purchased in 4 x 5 sheets?

S.

http://jandcphoto.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=60

 

[shyguy]

http://jandcphoto.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=60

Cool thank you, what do folks typically develop it in. I run mostly rodinal, and hc 110, but am open. I use exclusively a Jobo.

 

[jovo]

I seriously don't want to be rude, but wouldn't the publisher of a B&W photo magazine already know the answer to this? Or, are you trolling?

Trolling or not, it's a fair question that's very much in the style of other 'polls' generated here. For me, Delta 100 is my film of choice 85% of the time, and Tri-X 320 is my favorite thereafter. I develop both in ID11 all the time!

I also find myself, once again, unnerved, discouraged and a bit saddened by Kodak's announcement about their paper. It's been a rough year with Ilford and Forte et al and now this. I suppose it's just a matter of time before their film and chems go the same way. It really pisses me off, though, that I've finally got the dedicated darkroom, enlargers, cameras and even the time to do a lot of work with the medium I love at the same time it seems to be giving signs of terminal illness. For me the final product is NOT the be all and end all. Process matters. Quality matters. For Chrissakes I play an instrument invented over three hundred years ago and have no intention of 'upgrading' to some digitally synthesized 'equivalent'.

End of rant. Maybe a glass of 'falling down water' will help. Here's to ya!

 

[titrisol]

EFKE 100 works well wih almost everything.
I use it in Rodinal 1+50 and 1+100 (+C), and DDX that are my 2 poisons of choice.

Cool thank you, what do folks typically develop it in. I run mostly rodinal, and hc 110, but am open. I use exclusively a Jobo.