What's the best 120 film in your opinion?

[GregY]

So many wrong answers in this thread...
I was shocked to learn than less than 10% of Photrio users know which 120 film is the best.

 

[AnselMortensen]

What's the best flavor ice cream?

 

[GregY]

What's the best flavor ice cream?

Gelato

 

[Roger Cole]

Best color saturation for a color negative film: Kodak UltraColor 400 [no longer made]

Maybe not "best" but the MOST saturated negative film I ever shot was Agfa Ultra 50. Holy cow was that saturated stuff. Like negative Velvia only maybe more so.

 

[fs999]

1. Adox CMS II, Agfa Copex, XP2, Tri-X, Fuji Acros II, P30, Bergger Pancro
2. Agfachrome, Gold, Agfa Vista, Fuji C200
3. Rollei R3

 

[alanrockwood]

From a strictly technical point of view (fine grain, high resolution, minimal reciprocity failure) I will go out on a limb and claim that Acros 100 is the best black and white film. I believe that compared to the competition (Tmax 100 and Delta 100) Acros 100 beats them in every category.

That makes me wonder why I have never actually shot a roll of Acros 100.

Of course, esthetic rather than technical quality is a personal matter, and that might give different rankings, depending on a person's preferences.

And then there is the matter of price...

 

[BMbikerider]

This is a bit of a question that no one really can answer. There are so many variables, subject, light levels, type of camera, I could go on. What suits one photographer may be the complete antithesis to another. For myself I always keep it simple with a medium speed, quite fine grain developed in my normal 'brews' either Rodinal or ID11. Don't use a lot of 120 so cost does not come into it.
For 35mm I use colour but not with 120, strictly B&W.

 

[BMbikerider]

I found a roll of XP2 that expired in 2000 and looks like it was not properly stored judging the condition of the box. I would like to try it but not sure what iso I should shoot it at. I have read for every decade halve the rated speed.

I have used XP2 which was only a couple of months out of date and when developed the image was barely visible. For one film of unknown heritage is it worth wasting time and developer? Not for me anyway.

 

[Slixtiesix]

1) Acros is a very good film technically, but I like FP4+ as my regular film to go.
2) Astia, which is unfortunately discontinued, but I also made very good experience with Kodak Ektachrome 100 recently.

 

[retina_restoration]

From a strictly technical point of view (fine grain, high resolution, minimal reciprocity failure) I will go out on a limb and claim that Acros 100 is the best black and white film. I believe that compared to the competition (Tmax 100 and Delta 100) Acros 100 beats them in every category.

That makes me wonder why I have never actually shot a roll of Acros 100.

You've never used Acros 100 and yet you are claiming it is "the best"?? How is this meaningful/useful information?

 

[Craig]

Acros is great for night shots where I don't want to concern myself with reciprocity. An example:

Purr

A ladies clothing store at night. I used Fuji Acros for the lack of reciprocity failure.

www.photrio.com

 

[paddycook]

My favorites:
1. Color - Provia 100F
2. B&W - XP2 Super

 

[MattKing]

Moderators note:
Discussion about the difficulties of using "best" as a criteria are more philosophical than anything else, so perhaps those who wish to engage in that exercise would consider starting a thread for that purpose in the appropriate sub-forum, and participating there.

 

[alanrockwood]

You've never used Acros 100 and yet you are claiming it is "the best"?? How is this meaningful/useful information?

I am basing it mainly on published specifications of the films, augmented with comparative reviews by those who have used the films.

 

[chuckroast]

I am basing it mainly on published specifications of the films, augmented with comparative reviews by those who have used the films.

I have found that for any conventional emulsion (i.e., not tabular grain), for a give ASA, most films behave very similarly. The big difference seems to be how you develop them. Some like Pyro stain, some less so. Some respond nicely to semistand, some do not, etc.

I have gotten very fine results with Acros and Acros II. But I have similarly gotten very fine results with Plus-X, FP4+, Double X, Agfapan 100, and Fomapan 200 all of which are in the 100-250 ASA range. I have never gotten anything good out of TMX for some reason.

 

[SodaAnt]

My two go-to films are: T-Max 100 and Ektar 100. I've tried really hard to like Ilford films, but they just don't do it for me.

 

[dokko]

From a strictly technical point of view (fine grain, high resolution, minimal reciprocity failure) I will go out on a limb and claim that Acros 100 is the best black and white film. I believe that compared to the competition (Tmax 100 and Delta 100) Acros 100 beats them in every category.

it's a lovely film, with very fine grain and smooth tones, but in terms of resolution, both T-Max 100 and Delta 100 are a bit higher.
I prefer them both for normal motives since they have a bit more snap, but for moody pictures Acros is great.

That makes me wonder why I have never actually shot a roll of Acros 100.

well, give it a go

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'll add Ferrania P30 to my list on page one...Remarkable film, that I await for in sheet film sizes...

 

[Rayt]

I use Tmax 400 for all formats including 135 120 and sheet film. Option 2 is HP5+ if TMY is unavailable or too costly when I need it. It’s really more for consistency since I am sure the Delta films are no slouch. For 120 though I have had backing paper problems with Foma, Shanghai and other Chinese films, Rollei and even Ilford when I think they had that bad batch 10 years ago. I never had problems with Kodak nor Fuji roll film so they are my go to for that format.

 

[GregY]

I have found that for any conventional emulsion (i.e., not tabular grain), for a give ASA, most films behave very similarly. The big difference seems to be how you develop them. Some like Pyro stain, some less so. Some respond nicely to semistand, some do not, etc.

I have gotten very fine results with Acros and Acros II. But I have similarly gotten very fine results with Plus-X, FP4+, Double X, Agfapan 100, and Fomapan 200 all of which are in the 100-250 ASA range. I have never gotten anything good out of TMX for some reason.

CR, I've held to FP4+ & Tri-X in Pyrocat for decades, (I did use TMY2 in 5x7") but lately i've given TMX TMY a fair use in 120 (& 35mm as well) and have been rewarded by exceptional results. I'm impressed.

 

[chuckroast]

CR, I've held to FP4+ & Tri-X in Pyrocat for decades, (I did use TMY2 in 5x7") but lately i've given TMX TMY a fair use and have been rewarded by exceptional results. I'm impressed.
View attachment 380345 View attachment 380346

What are you using to develop with and how?

 

[runswithsizzers]

Moderators note:
Discussion about the difficulties of using "best" as a criteria are more philosophical than anything else, so perhaps those who wish to engage in that exercise would consider starting a thread for that purpose in the appropriate sub-forum, and participating there.

Matt, I respectfully disagree. I think the difficulties of using "best" as a criteria are very much a practical concern, because without knowing more precisely what the person means by "best," any further discussion is a waste of time.

I have followed your suggestion to start a new post here:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/should-best-questions-be-discouraged.209560/

 

[MattKing]

Matt, I respectfully disagree. I think the difficulties of using "best" as a criteria are very much a practical concern, because without knowing more precisely what the person means by "best," any further discussion is a waste of time.

I have followed your suggestion to start a new post here:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/should-best-questions-be-discouraged.209560/

Interestingly enough, I think that that thread is actually addressing a subtly different question than the one I was referencing in this thread.
In that new thread: The practicality of asking "best" questions on Photrio.
My reference here: the more universal question about how and when to use and to define "best".

 

[GregY]

What are you using to develop with and how?

My go-to developer... Pyrocat HD in glycol 1:1:100 / 9 min for TMX, 14 min for TMY

 

[chuckroast]

My standard... Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 / 9 min for TMX, 14 min for TMY

I have used Pyrocat-HD almost exclusively for semistand and EMA development.

This summer, I spent a bunch of time exploring Double-X and - after hundreds of exposures - I have determined that at least 35mm Double X really doesn't like highly dilute developers like Pyrocat (conventional or standing development) or PMK. I find the grain to be objectionable no matter what I do. Interestingly, Double-X seems to do really well with D-76 1:1.

With 120 it's less of an issue but I am likely to seek other options for this film.

TMY interests me because I'd love a faster, low grain film at my disposal. Does the TMY take Pyrocat stain well? I could never get TMX on board with stain for some reason.