Suppose you were on a deserted island...

jfoote · Dec 23, 2014

...that had a lot of interesting things to shoot (so it's not really deserted; it's just like most towns w/out a camera store). You are allowed one black and white film and one developer.

What do you choose?

Reason for asking: I'm reentering the world of B&W after a many years' absence. I'd like to start with one film and one developer and get to "know" it.

frank · Dec 23, 2014

My choice is HP5 and HC-110

jfoote · Dec 23, 2014

That's what I want!

Michael R 1974 said:
Oh boy. Be prepared for lots of different answers.

What do you like to shoot (subjects, lighting, etc.), and how (handheld, tripod)? Answer those questions first. The choice of film speed would depend on what sort of shooting you do, how big/small you plan on printing etc.

I like to shoot outdoors; "street" shooting (whatever that is these days), events, landscapes. I'm not sure of my printing yet....a lot of questions to answer in that department but it will probably be digi%$ (can I write that word here?). I don't see my own darkroom. But I haven't seen it the 3 other times I've set one up <grin>.

Once you choose the film, pick pretty much any general purpose developer.

And I'd suggest not making too much of the one-film-one-developer thing. Of course keeping things simple is a good thing, but in moderation. Most current films have fairly similar, long scales, and it doesn't take all that much to get them to work very well in broad array of general purpose developers. I'm about as critical as it gets, and I'd still say if I had to switch films it wouldn't take much more than a few rolls/sheets to get to know it.

That's good to know. I usually over do things so I'm trying to put some limits on myself. At least for now.

Sirius Glass · Dec 23, 2014

Suppose not and then a new big endians versus little endians internet flame war will be averted.

Steve Smith · Dec 23, 2014

If I was stranded on an island, I wouldn't have time for photography. I would be too busy looking for a wooden boat to smash up to make a raft.

Steve.

Rick A · Dec 23, 2014

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=91857C7781B9716671A191857C7781B9716671A1

What island.......

cjbecker · Dec 23, 2014

I will play,

Fp4+, 130

removed account4 · Dec 23, 2014

doppelganger

removed account4 · Dec 23, 2014

i would just make sure i had some silver nitrate and gelatin and paper and make
some camera and contact paper emulsion with the sea water ... for developer, i'd use my morning coffee mixed with dektol

snapguy · Dec 23, 2014

how about

How about this? Elvis says you can photograph him in his 50-foot-long living room at night in Palm Springs but you can only bring in one camera with one lens and b&w film. Do you use very fast film, or slower film to get better quality, and a flash? And you ain't allowed to photograph the nekked cheerleaders in his swimming pool.

ToddB · Dec 23, 2014

Tri X and D-76

cjbecker · Dec 23, 2014

Acros, long exposure, 130

snapguy said:
How about this? Elvis says you can photograph him in his 50-foot-long living room at night in Palm Springs but you can only bring in one camera with one lens and b&w film. Do you use very fast film, or slower film to get better quality, and a flash? And you ain't allowed to photograph the nekked cheerleaders in his swimming pool.

one90guy · Dec 23, 2014

Acros and Rodinal

cliveh · Dec 23, 2014

jfoote said:
...that had a lot of interesting things to shoot (so it's not really deserted; it's just like most towns w/out a camera store). You are allowed one black and white film and one developer.

What do you choose?

Reason for asking: I'm reentering the world of B&W after a many years' absence. I'd like to start with one film and one developer and get to "know" it.

I would not want a film or developer, as on a desert or deserted island I would prefer to (when in Rome) experiment with what grows there and the Anthotype possibilities of various plants. This would keep me interested until I was rescued by a passing boat.

gone · Dec 23, 2014

Yes, of course, Tri-X and D76. You could probably use seawater w/ that combination and get great negs.

Sirius Glass · Dec 23, 2014

I could have tons of photographic equipment but I would not have the infrastructure to let me develop and make prints. I would be chasing Mary Anne and Ginger.

Eric Rose · Dec 23, 2014

FP4 and PyroCat-HD

brian steinberger · Dec 23, 2014

Tri-x and ID-11 (ok I guess D-76 would be fine as well... )

Steve Smith · Dec 23, 2014

snapguy said:
How about this? Elvis says you can photograph him in his 50-foot-long living room at night

Elvis? I'm taking my guitar, not a camera!

Steve.

darkosaric · Dec 23, 2014

This question was actual in 1980:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080453/

but also it is actual in 21st century:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2287663/

cmacd123 · Dec 23, 2014

Given a fresh water source, Tri-X or HP5 and HC110.

Reason, Both film have enough speed for most subjects even if you are using a camera with a zoom lens. Both are very popular and so likely obtainable. Have good shelf life, as you don't know how long before the next supply run. Depending on where your departure point is one or the other may be easier to obtain, but the differences are relatively small.

HC110 is easy to use, and gives good results. Can be mixed just before use so is convenient, and is legendary for keeping well. Fixer would be a bit of a tossup. I normally use Illford Rapid fix, but if I was expecting to have bad supply lines might stock plain powder fix. (In fact I have some bags of it at the back of a cupboard.) Shelf life measured in years typically.

Black Dog · Dec 23, 2014

That tropical sunlight can be harsh, so you want a film/developer combination that's got a nice long tonal range, such as HP5 + in Pyrocat [FP4 also good ].

jfoote · Dec 23, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
I could have tons of photographic equipment but I would not have the infrastructure to let me develop and make prints. I would be chasing Mary Anne and Ginger.

Mary Ann for sure.

Regular Rod · Dec 23, 2014

jfoote said:
...that had a lot of interesting things to shoot (so it's not really deserted; it's just like most towns w/out a camera store). You are allowed one black and white film and one developer.

What do you choose?

Reason for asking: I'm reentering the world of B&W after a many years' absence. I'd like to start with one film and one developer and get to "know" it.

ILFORD FP4 Plus and OBSIDIAN AQUA.

However, I think it is a good idea to have more than one film and one developer in your repertoire. My pal uses an amazing array of developers as well as the two I make up for him (510-PYRO and OBSIDIAN AQUA) and at least 6 types of film. The thing is he knows them all and their developer combinations so very well that he has no trouble at all swapping from one to another to get what he wants. It's a powerful tool to have such control... Apologies for the moving of the goal posts.

RR

scheimfluger_77 · Dec 23, 2014

Steve Smith said:
If I was stranded on an island, I wouldn't have time for photography. I would be too busy looking for a wooden boat to smash up to make a raft.

Steve.

Don't forget to take Wilson with you when you leave.

Suppose you were on a deserted island...

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