What is your favorite B&W film and why?

MenacingTourist · Nov 16, 2006

I've enjoyed reading this thread. It's nice to see a global perspective.

Myself, I'm still on my first "real" combination of Efke 100 and Rollo Pyro. I've been using the Rollo for about two years but just dug in on getting to know the Efke film. I haven't decided which paper yet but when I do I figure two years or so should get me to a good place.

Tom Stanworth · Nov 19, 2006

Tough one, but I am a fan of 'bog std films'

APX100 (still available in 35mm as APX and as Retro 100 in 35mm/120) - Not that fine grained but classical mono look and crisp grain. Fantastic tonality.

TriX 400 - Sme dev times as APX100 in many devs and comparable classic look. These two are great companions as there are imilarities in their look - classical not NOT modern or technical looking.

FP4+ - wonderful all rounder. Does not have that too clean modern look of TMAX100 etc and far more pleasnt to my eye. The prints just ooze depth in a way that I cannot get from modern films. I would not cry if this was the only 100 speed film I could use.

If I had to pick one film to have used in all formats forever it would have been APX100, but that is no longer possible sadly. Its FP4+ as my mainstay instead.

Edwardv · Nov 19, 2006

Use to be Agfa APX100 developed in Rodinal 1:50. It gave creamy skin tones. Now I gotta find a replacement.

ben-s · Nov 19, 2006

My favourite B&W film is Neopan 400.
I also use quite a bit of FP4+, PAN F+ and HP5 in both 120 and 35mm.
I'm willing to experiment with anything though.
I'm just trying to find a bulk roll or two of Neopan 400 - can anyone advise where in the UK I might get this?

llarson100 · Nov 19, 2006

Note that I'm a sorta-kinda newbie..I've used T-Max 100 and 400; Tri-X and Plus-X a long time ago. BUT my favorite is Kodak HIE infrared. The fun of it is its unpredictability. With no anti-halation layer, you can get some really funky results...glowing Canadian geese, hot air balloons that look like light bulbs, awesome skies, gorgeous textures.. Fun, fun film..

LVaszar · Nov 20, 2006

TMX 100 in D76 or XTol. Absolutely gorgeous tonality and is great for scanning.

Russ - SVP · Feb 11, 2007

400 speed - Neopan 400, with Delta 400 being a close second.

100 speed - Delta 100

B/W chromogenic - Neopan 400CN, with XP-2 as a close second choice.

Kiron Kid

Snapshot · Feb 11, 2007

I'm liking T-Max 100 with T-MAX RS Developer. I was using Ilford XP2 for the longest time but now that I'm developing my own film, I went with Kodak. I'm tempted to try Ilford Delta 100 though.

JohnArs · Feb 11, 2007

I use in 35mm delta 100/400/3200 Fuji Acros 100, Kodak HIE IR
Same in 120 +
in 4x5 I use Delta 100 TMY 400 TMAX 100 in Readyloads, Kodak HIE IR still 5 pakets in freezer!
8x10 Delta 100 + TMY 400
Armin Seeholzer

Uncle Bill · Feb 11, 2007

I think my two favourite films I am going to keep using on a regular basis are Ilford FP4 and HP5.
I also like and will buy from time to time is ADOX/Efke 100, Tri-x, Plus X and I should try some Neopan 100 again.
I am going to miss Classicpan/Forte 400 once my pile is depleted. It was a funky inexpensive black and white film with grain big enough to golf with but that just added to the character.
I have not tried out Foma especially the 200T and that is on my list for taste testing later this year.

Bill

KingJon · Feb 12, 2007

For a couple of years Xp2 Super was B&W for me. In Oct. I started developing/printing my own and am getting decent results with Delta 100 in ID11 1:1. The negatives look good and are easy to print. As for a favorite, it is too soon to tell but can honestly say this is really a hell of a lot of fun!

Jon

MVNelson · Feb 12, 2007

great images were made with ever film ever made..... Right now 400Tmax and 100Tmax in pryocat-mc is doing it for me...

Miles

jmailand · Feb 12, 2007

llford Pan F 50, Agfa APX 100 in Rodinal and HP5+ in ID11. Nothing exotic but they have been very consistent, for me anyways.

James,

Lee Shively · Feb 12, 2007

Ilford PanF+ has been my favorite film for over 30 years. I've developed it in Perceptol, D76, Rodinal, Mircrophen and Microdol-X and it's beautiful every time. I haven't used it as much as other films but it remains my favorite.

I've shot more Tri-X than any other film. I loved it when I used it but then I discovered HP5+ and I haven't used Tri-X in several years. Nothiing against Tri-X, I just like the tones I get from HP5+ better. I process it in Rodinal but D76 1:1 or 1:3 are also good choices. I shoot more HP5+ than any other film currently.

I have managed to pretty much bypass medium speed films--an oversight I intend to remedy in the near future. I've bought several rolls of FP4, Plus-X and Fomapan 100 to try out. I suspect I'll find one that will win me over.

brian steinberger · Feb 12, 2007

I use Ilford FP-4 and Kodak TMAX 400 exclusively, both in Pyrocat HD. Beautiful results, printing both VC fiber paper, and scanning to inkjet.

Black Dog · Feb 12, 2007

Uncle Bill said:
I think my two favourite films I am going to keep using on a regular basis are Ilford FP4 and HP5.
I also like and will buy from time to time is ADOX/Efke 100, Tri-x, Plus X and I should try some Neopan 100 again.
I am going to miss Classicpan/Forte 400 once my pile is depleted. It was a funky inexpensive black and white film with grain big enough to golf with but that just added to the character.
I have not tried out Foma especially the 200T and that is on my list for taste testing later this year.

Bill

Bill, I love that CP /Forte 400 too-used to use the 35mm version in Rodinal-big grain but lovely tones. Much better in sheet sizes really {vg with PMK}.

materialsguy · Mar 7, 2009

Excellent thread. I have settled on APX 25, Rollei ATP 1.1, and Fuji Neopan Acros, all MF, developed in Xtol, Rodinal or TD-3 as appropriate. Fine grain, sharpness and beautiful prints are what these seemingly disparate films have in common for me.

materialsguy

Ektagraphic · Mar 7, 2009

Adox CHS Art 100 because of the look it gives off....It looks like it was shot 50 years ago...

Jeff Kubach · Mar 7, 2009

Ilford Pan F, HP 5, T-Max 400.

Jeff

JustDave · Mar 7, 2009

1) New TMAX 400! Incredibly Fine grain.
I also like to stack filters (Polarizer on top of a red) and the extra speed with my slow cheap system really helps.
Nice thick base makes it easy to load reels.

2) TMAX 100: Ultra fine grain, thick base, it's great for those enlargements that make a 35mm look like 120.
3) Almost a tie with TMAX 100 - Acros 100. The thin base makes it a little harder to load the reels and it seem doesn't have the, I don't know, "punch" that TMX has. But it's cheaper at most online stores.
4) Foma - any speed. It has this look about it that's unique. It's not quite the retro look of Tri-X, HP5 or Plus-X, HP4. And it's cheap! The thin base makes it pain to load and it sure likes to curl!
5)Arista. Great film for that grainy retro look. Like a 1930s era news photo. And it's REALLY cheap.

Alex Hawley · Mar 7, 2009

brian steinberger said:
I use Ilford FP-4 and Kodak TMAX 400 exclusively, both in Pyrocat HD.

Same combo for me.

Adrian Twiss · Mar 8, 2009

FP4+ and HP5+ Both tolerant films that I have used for a long time. I'm comfortable with them. I also enjoy EFKE R25 when I think the subject warrants it but have had issues with quality. Ilford films have been consistently reliable in the quality stakes.

largely · Mar 8, 2009

All time favorite is Tri x 400 in D76 or Rodinal by a wide margin. I like the look and the consistantly excellent performance. Next Plus x, but Acros is offering strong competition for my affection as a slow speed film. Haven't found an IR film to replace Kodak but I've not tried many of them yet. Also anxious to try some Adox. (soon)

Larry

Roger Bulcock · Mar 8, 2009

Acros 100 (35mm, 120, 4x5, 8x10) fine grain, excellent micro contrast
HP5+ (35mm, 120, 8x10) good exposure latitude faster speed
both developed in ID11, Pyro, Microfine or Rodinal

Although I have just bought a couple of boxes of TMax 400 8x10 to see what the fuss is about.

Roger

mhanc · Mar 8, 2009

Although I have returned to B+W only about a year ago, my clear favorite is TMY-2 for its great tonal range. I also like Tri-X quite a lot -- it is the film I have had the most experience with going all the way back to when I had a full darkroom.

I have just bought 3 rolls of the Adox CHS 100 to check out. Just curious about this film and the "50s and 60s old school" characteristics described by Adox. I plan to shot at least one roll of it side by side w/ TMY-2 to compare.

What is your favorite B&W film and why?

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency