What is the grainiest bw film and developer?

TheGreatGasMaskMan · Mar 27, 2025

here it is, the Berlin R09 1:25.

I will call this the second grainiest one after the hp5. If I could, I would make darkroom prints to really see the differences between these films

tomkatf · Mar 27, 2025

Don't think its still manufactured but back in the day Kodak Recording Film 2475 was the grainiest commercially available film. Curly ESTAR base.
Developed in Dektol or Rodinal.

Wow all outdated but some still available!

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Alex Benjamin · Mar 27, 2025

TheGreatGasMaskMan said:
here it is, the Berlin R09 1:25.View attachment 394804 View attachment 394805 View attachment 394806 View attachment 394807 View attachment 394808
I will call this the second grainiest one after the hp5. If I could, I would make darkroom prints to really see the differences between these films

I've always loved Dr. Seuss' How the Grain Stole Christmas.

TheGreatGasMaskMan · Mar 28, 2025

I might consider trying some recording film since I've still got a little r09 left and plenty hc110- my question is, what ISO would I shoot it at?

xkaes · Mar 28, 2025

Kodak Royal-X.

ISO 1250 I love it.

bluechromis · Mar 28, 2025

Heavily cropping an image also makes the grain more prominent.

TheGreatGasMaskMan · 2025-08-12T19:01:04-0400

the experiment continues- Ketmere 400 in Rodinal 1:25

was hoping with the lower silver it could match the HP5 results but it didn't work out.
I'm thinking about trying delta and tmax 3200 when it gets darker sooner and I have the energy, or... I should just take them into the woods...?

Alex Benjamin · 2025-08-12T20:15:36-0400

These don't seem that grainy.

TMax 3200, if used at that ISO, in Rodinal 1+25 should get you there.

TheGreatGasMaskMan · 2025-08-13T13:53:09-0400

So far, the best results have been
1- hp5
2- N74
3- Washi F

Paul Howell · 2025-08-13T14:23:13-0400

How about Kodak double x movie film, in any of the edge developers, DK50, Rodinal 1:50, Acufine, or a Fx. I think double X is a very old emulsion dating from the 50s or 60s, and as a movie film grain was not that important. I think Photowarehouse sells it a bit cheaper than rebranded versions.

TheGreatGasMaskMan · 2025-08-13T14:38:43-0400

Paul Howell said:
How about Kodak double x movie film, in any of the edge developers, DK50, Rodinal 1:50, Acufine, or a Fx. I think double X is a very old emulsion dating from the 50s or 60s, and as a movie film grain was not that important. I think Photowarehouse sells it a bit cheaper than rebranded versions.

worth considering

thinkbrown · 2025-08-13T15:18:05-0400

Paul Howell said:
How about Kodak double x movie film, in any of the edge developers, DK50, Rodinal 1:50, Acufine, or a Fx. I think double X is a very old emulsion dating from the 50s or 60s, and as a movie film grain was not that important. I think Photowarehouse sells it a bit cheaper than rebranded versions.

I've shot a little over 400' of double x and it's really not that grainy. I'd need to go through and see if I ever developed it in rodinal though, that could definitely punch it up a bit.

AnselMortensen · 2025-08-13T15:38:42-0400

This.

TheGreatGasMaskMan · 2025-08-13T16:14:32-0400

thinkbrown said:
I've shot a little over 400' of double x and it's really not that grainy. I'd need to go through and see if I ever developed it in rodinal though, that could definitely punch it up a bit.

I will agree, I've used it but it's not that grainy, but I'm willing to give it a Rodinal test- also want to try UN54/ Ultrafine Finesse 100 in rodinal.

AnselMortensen said:
This.

I looked this up on ebay months ago but never bought any. maybe I should

thinkbrown · 2025-08-13T16:15:59-0400

TheGreatGasMaskMan said:
I will agree, I've used it but it's not that grainy, but I'm willing to give it a Rodinal test- also want to try UN54/ Ultrafine Finesse 100 in rodinal.

I looked this up on ebay months ago but never bought any. maybe I should

I've also shot about 150ft of UN54. I like it but it's definitely grainier, especially if you push it to 200.

N75 in rodinal is probably the grainiest combo I've ever shot. I'll have to see if I ever scanned those.

What is the grainiest bw film and developer?

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