Specific questions on Ilford B&W films

I have some tanks and reels coming, I have not seen what my local photo lab guys carry (I am not in Oklahoma right now, anybody in OK know what Epperson has?) in the way of chemicals but I have decided since I am new to home developing to use either D-76 or HC-110, Ilford Ilfostop, Ilford Rapid Stop and Photoflow and whatever wetting agent they have after reading and reading in the forums here. All reasonable choices for noob, right? Not going to push or go crazy for awhile here...looking for clean, consistent and good looking negatives before ANY modification from standard speeds.

Next problem film. All Epperson reliably carries is Ilford HP5+ (I figure I should be able to use this for reasonable low light) and Ilford Delta 100 for those nice daylight shots for hopefully classic B&W look. For a noob, are those two film choices good enough to start with? I will be using 35mm and 120. I have heard HP4+ is wonderful but would have to mail order that in more than likely.....no problem.....could I get some opinion on HP4+, again, consider I am not new to photography, just B&W and developing.

I would appreciate any quick advice or comments.

Bob E.

I'm guessing that when you refer to "HP4+" you really mean "FP4", because FP4 is current, whereas HP4 is a long discontinued film that was replaced by HP5 and then HP5+ thereafter.

FP4+ has an ISO rating of 125. HP5+ has an ISO rating of 400. Otherwise, they are fairly similar, in that they are predominantly a traditional type of film.

Delta 100 has an ISO rating of 100, and features "Core-shell crystal technology", which has some similarity to Kodak's T-grain technology.

The differences between the two types of technology are interesting, and IMHO it is very useful to become proficient using both types, but I don't know that I would suggest starting with a mix.

If I were you, I would start with HP5+ - it is a modern film with quite small grain given its speed. It is also relatively forgiving.

When you get comfortable with your process, you can decide whether to add FP4 (because of its similarity to HP5) or Delta 100 (because of its differences).

Or one of the other choices instead .

Your material selection is just fine, and there is no reason even the most seasoned veteran can't be using the very same things you listed. D76 really is the developer against which all others are measured.

HP5+ and Delta 100 are both great films. You might find ISO 400 films with finer grain, but the HP5+ tonality is just beautiful and makes glorious prints.
FP4+ is a film that has inherently more contrast than HP5+, and is two stop slower. If you already use Delta 100 there isn't really any need to be experimenting with FP4+ at the same time. One film with ISO 100 speed and another with ISO 400 should be more than enough for a good long time.

It's better that you go out and focus on things like composition and understanding light rather than being confused by things like film choice. There really aren't any materials that are better than the ones you chose. There are those that are different, but more comes down to technique rather than the materials you choose. For example, it's difficult to look at a Ralph Gibson photograph and think that 'Damn, he should have used TMax film and 4x5 format, because that would make his pictures better'.

Have fun!

- Thomas

You can really just use HP5+.

If you must have a slower film, then pick either Delta or FP4 (flip a coin), but don't confuse yourself with both.

There's nothing wrong with D76 but HC110 is just so easy and reliable for the hobbyist, it's what I would recommend.

Eppersons has all the chemicals that you need, they stock D76 but I don't believe that they have HC110, they also carry Ilford developers in liquid form.
I haven't bought film from them for a while, it's a shame that they no longer have the huge selection and great pricing that they once had but I guess that the market just wasn't there anymore.

Marty

The driving force is the actual scene/photograph..all materials will represent a great photograph..Don't over think it..EC

BetterSense said:

You can really just use HP5+.

If you must have a slower film, then pick either Delta or FP4 (flip a coin), but don't confuse yourself with both.

There's nothing wrong with D76 but HC110 is just so easy and reliable for the hobbyist, it's what I would recommend.

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You could just stick with HP5+ and if you want technically better results for certain subjects just go to 120 size in the same film.

Even with shipping charges I bet you can order from Adorama or B&H and come out ahead.
Much wider selection.

Not that the materials you do have available locally aren't proven, it is nice to have a wide selection.

Thank you all for the responses. At least I know I am in the ball park. Now I just need to go out and shoot some. Initially, I think I will try HP5+ and keep to that for awhile just to see what happens and how consistent my developing is or will be.....

Bob E.

SafetyBob said:

Thank you all for the responses. At least I know I am in the ball park. Now I just need to go out and shoot some. Initially, I think I will try HP5+ and keep to that for awhile just to see what happens and how consistent my developing is or will be.....

Bob E.

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A fine choice. As is almost any film today.
Have fun!

Ilford films are great, and a buck a roll more expensive than most others. In getting a feel for the developing process, the type of film you choose will have no impact on agitation schemes, air bells, loading problems, temperature control, or any of the million ways to mess up with film.

Me, I would start with whatever is cheapest to mess up, then later go to the pricier stuff. Unless money is not much issue.

One thing to consider, if you don't support your locally owned brick and mortar store, it will disappear on you, like many others have.

You could just stick with HP5+ and if you want technically better results for certain subjects just go to 120 size in the same film.

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An even better suggestion. I always prefer a larger format with fast film, to an equivalently smaller format and finer grained film. Many enlarging challenges like scratches and dust are partially mitigated by larger formats.

Just DO NOT become like me, who has a handful of different films of each type in the freezer, usually bought because they were on sale or for some other reason. It can be a real creativity stifler. If we were logical beings, it shouldn't be the case, but it is.

Bob-D659 said:

One thing to consider, if you don't support your locally owned brick and mortar store, it will disappear on you, like many others have.

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I support that notion. Whenever I can I will go to my local camera store to buy film and chemistry, simply because I like having it available nearby for when I need it.

I actually make it a point to buy a couple of rolls of HP5+ EVERY time I go into the camera store. I get strange looks from teh digital dudes , and they sometimes look at me like I am from another plannet when I ask for Ilford Fix and HC-110 (Henry's Kanata does not stock HC-110 so they have to order it from their warehouse for me)