What have you shot? What do you shoot? What would you like to shoot?

[LeftCoastKid]

NB: The questions are specific to film emulsions; I'm not a camera fanboy. Reading through a plethora of posts here, I'm struck by a certain nostalgia, perhaps a certain wistfulness over the current availability of film types - in comparison to the past. So, I thought I'd offer up the questions above. To start:
1. As a newbie many years past, my "experimentation" with films was decidedly promiscuous: I've shot color negative (Vericolor II, Kodak Gold, and a host of Fuji emulsions), black and white negative (PanF, FP4, HP5, Panatomic-X, Plus-X, and Tri-X), and color slide film (Kodachrome 25, 40 and 64, Ektachrome Infrared, 64 and 400, and Fujichrome 100). "Maturing" as a photographer, I gradually refined my palette, settling on a much narrower range of films.
2. Currently, for black and white film, I'm using PanF+ and FP4+ in 120, and HP5+, Tri-X and Delta 3200 in 35mm. For color reversal materials, I'm working my way through a stash of E100G and E100VS (35mm and 120). NB Film is all, deep-frozen, PB 12/13 and 1/14. I can't recall having shot any color negative film in over a decade. 3. What would I shoot? Or, more correctly, what would I like to shoot? A long-time Kodachrome shooter, I, too, would dearly love to see its return. But, realistically, I just don't see it happening. That said, I am delighted beyond words to see that Kodak has announced the return of Ektachrome (I think E100G is a stellar effort; approximate its look and sign me up for 100+ rolls year!) In terms of faster color reversal film, I am anxiously awaiting to see Ferrania's efforts come to fruition: I'm especially interested in anything ISO 800 +. In terms of black and white negative, I depart with many here: I think between Kodak, Ilford, and others we analogue shooters are well served. I have loved shooting PanF since I first started; same with HP5 and Tri-X. The only black and white film I would like to have back (not of critical importance) is TMax3200; I think, in my limited experience (perhaps two dozen rolls over the course of several years) it had a ever-so-slight edge in sharpness over Delta 3200. Thoughts, all? Weigh in...

 

[Vaughn]

A) Kodak Copy Film
B) Kodak Tech Pan
C) Whatever I can get my hands on that produces great continous tone negatives of very high contrast.

 

[removed account4]

lots of different stuff, except for motion picture film and ir film
expired black and white and color, bottled and home made emulsion
more hand made emulsion

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

What have I shot? Lots of things - Fuji Reala, Kodak Gold (mostly 200 & 400), Fuji Press 200 & 400, Fuji Velvia, Kodak Tmax 3200, Kodak Tech Pan, Konica Infrared, Kodak HIE, Maco 820 IR (and Aura version), Fuji Provia 100, Kodak E100VS, Kodachrome, Agfa Scala (b/w transparency film), Bergger BRF 200.

What do I shoot now? Mostly Ilford FP4+, Kodak Tri-X, Kodak Ektar 100, Portra 160, the odd roll of Portra 800.

 

[keenmaster486]

I used to shoot a lot of Kodak Gold and Fuji Superia. But I swore off those for all eternity a few years ago.

Right now I shoot mostly black and white.

I want to shoot slide film - this spring, it's happening. I got some Fuji Provia I'm going to try out, plus I'm going to shoot a roll of Kodachrome and send it to piratelogy

 

[jvo]

the best advice i read 5 years ago when i got a darkroom again was "pick one film and developer and use it for a year, get to know their capabilities, etc.", or there abouts.. so i've not yielded to a promiscuous search for the 'right' film. i'd recommend the approach.

obviously my interests aren't as varied, or daring. i guess for some, it's all about the hunt, others it about predictability! vive la difference!

 

[Gerald C Koch]

2. Currently, for black and white film, I'm using PanF+ and FP4+ in 120, and HP5+, Tri-X and Delta 3200 in 35mm.

This is sort of bass ackward from most recommendations. In general due to the larger negative size (MF and LF cameras) fast films are better suited for them. This reserves slow films and much finer grain for 35mm format. This concept is straight out of photography HOWTO books. Of course there are exceptions such as lighting conditions and subject motion.

 

[puderse]

from '67 to '93 Tri X (35 & 120) and D76 were my standard, sometimes shooting and dip-and-dunk processing (3 gal. tanks) two 36 reel runs a day. After 1000 rolls or so you get to know the media.

Pick one and stick with it.

 

[LeftCoastKid]

This is sort of bass ackward from most recommendations. In general due to the larger negative size (MF and LF cameras) fast films are better suited for them. This reserves slow films and much finer grain for 35mm format. This concept is straight out of photography HOWTO books. Of course there are exceptions such as lighting conditions and subject motion.

My "bass ackwardness," I believe, is a function of my rather catholic interests. Like my hero, Jay Maisel, I really don't have an agenda when I am taking photographs. If I happen to be shooting architecture, landscape, or "fine art" (lol), chances are I have one of my Hasselblads at hand. Here, the choice of film is generally a function of how large I expect to print the image (probably 10"x 10," or larger - hence the slower film. On the other hand, if I am out roaming around doing documentary/candid, etc. work with a Leica, I am more concerned to work with speed, hence, generally (if I am shooting black and white), the choice of a faster black and white film. Colorwise, of course, I currently shoot E100G/VS, by default.

 

[Harry Stevens]

I would like to shoot the original Kodak Tri-X 400 ID11 and Efke 100 in Acutol developer.........I was happy then.
2017 Still looking but FP4 (35 and 120) and Foma 100 35 mm and I like Kentmere 400 but no 120 version, I would like to shoot some GP3 120 which I liked a lot so I am left with TM 400 Tri-X 400 and HP5, never tried the Foma 100/200/400 120 yet.Also got 20 rolls of Delta 120 400 to try but I liked the 3200 a lot but not for every day use.

Yes I am still looking.

 

[Mastrianni]

I like what Platon said. He just shoots one black and white film and one color film, and one of 2 cameras, (Leica M and Hasselblad 553 ELX), and has for decades. Netflix has a series on right now called “Abstract: The Art of Design”. I think he is episode 7. It's quite good.

 

[Jim Noel]

I don't shoot film because I don't like the holes it leaves.I use film, and only film, to photograph scenes I like in preparation for producing photographic prints.

 

[rthollenbeck]

I started with the old Tri-X. Later on I used TriX interchangeably with HP-5. At one time early on I decided I liked the results someone was getting with Plus-X but I was never able to duplicate his results and gave up on that film. While it seems unlikely that there was majic involved in plus-x several friends reported much the same experience.
Occasionally I would shoot a roll of Tech-Pan in 35mm. I loved the almost grainless look. It seemed to slow for general usage and I didn't feel I was doing it justice. No doubts my slight dissatisfaction was mainly due to not useing it enough. The lack of speed doesn't seem important for what I do now. Maybe I would give it a serious go again if it was available. But Tech Pan is gone and even if it did still exist it seems unlikely that it would be available in 8x10.
Ilford XP-2 was a pleasing film on occasion. If 35mm was my focus I'd spend some more time on that film. Of course it's C-41.
TMZ & Delta 3200 have been a good time more than once. While it may seem backwards, 3200 film has an interesting look, I'm not sure you would get from pushing tri-x or hp-5 to 3200. But they don't offer either in 8x10 so the point is moot for me. Like I said I'm not looking for that kind of speed anyway.
I use HP-5 exclusively now. Ilford appears comitted to B&W, considering the roller coaster Kodak has been on, I'll stick with Ilford. Imho being loyal to Ilford at this stage of the game is the right thing do.....at least for me.

 

[lpt10]

Portra800 for night time shots. It might be subjective but i find the kind of tones it produces very pleasing. Portra400, Ektar100 are also very nice, but Portra800 is my favourite. For some reason i find the Fuji 400 and 160 not as pleasing.
As far as BW goes, TMax400 is something i kept going back, usually pushed to 800, developed in TMax developer. I did shoot HP5+, FP4+, PanF Plus, TechPan 2415, Kodak HIE infrared. I wished ScotchChrome 3200 was still available. It had grain the size of golf balls, but beautiful rendition. I also liked Plus-X pan, but there's plenty of choice in BW presently, and a sadly dwindling choice in slide film. And instant film, Fuji FP3000B,. FP100C, now discontinued.