Which film

ronlamarsh · Jun 7, 2010

Am needing to feed my 5x7 and am trying to decide between the efke 100 or the Arista EDU ultra(foma) votes anyone?

haziz · Jun 7, 2010

How about either Ilford FP4+ or HP5+? Both are superb films. You can soup in D76 1:1, Xtol 1:1 or my favourite Sprint Standard Developer. If you insist on your original choices then I would vote for the Efke. I have never however used Foma film. Two big caveats with the Efke film: Ridiculously delicate emulsion! I have scratched multiple sheets even using an HP Combi tank, but have almost never scratched FP4+ using the same set-up. It is also the grainiest 100 speed film I have ever seen. Efke 100 developed in Rodinal 1:50 and exposed at an EI of 50 is certainly much, much, much grainier than HP5+ despite that being a 400 speed film. I really like it's tonality in Rodinal but Efke 100 is the only LF film where I have visible grain in an 11x14 print from an uncroppped, full frame 4x5 negative. Only time I have ever seen grain in a print from a LF negative, and an 11x14 print at that. Too much hassle in my book. Pick Ilford FP4+ or HP5+ and be happy.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 7, 2010

Posted wirelessly..

I vote Ilford. Given your choice, I use and like the Arista films.

keithwms · Jun 7, 2010

I like the efke PL very much with wd2d+. A bit more feeling of highlight control and good tonal smoothness. The fomapan is good but needs quite careful exposure and doesn't pull well (if that's an issue for you) and I recently heard that it is going out of production - I hope that somebody else can confirm that or correct the record.

I also would vote for fp4+/hp5+ if it fits your budget, these are very versatile and excellent films for LF. They are superb and I've never had even the slightest hint of quality issues with them. I did have a few "hmms" about some efke films I used, but they were really spurious, not enough for me to be discouraged from them. I wouldn't feel quite as confident with them as the ilfords though, to be honest. I mean, I have *never* had an issue with the ilfords in any format, and that says something because I have had a few issues now and then with lower cost films.

Generally, as you go to larger formats, don't be afraid to go with good old traditional grain (non-tabular/epitaxial) emulsions. The format will take care of grain for you even if you push like nuts, and at the same time delivering a special edge contrast that I value.

I still have a good amount of tmax for 5x7 and I like it but I use it mostly for duping.

P.S. look at how others are using these films on the massive dev chart, that can be useful.

Athiril · Jun 7, 2010

I'm going to give a vote for Shanghai, since it's available in 5x7.

JPD · Jun 7, 2010

I would use a film you've never heard of, and develop it in a very exotic developer!

Nah, go with Efke PL100. It's a very nice film.

R gould · Jun 7, 2010

Its Ilford every time for me,Richard

Athiril · Jun 7, 2010

Michael R 1974 said:
Delta 100. For non-tabular, FP4 or Plus-X (or HP5 for a bit more speed). I think Ilford and Kodak have it covered. Not sure what the point is using other strange stuff.

I could just as well say Plus-X is 'other strange stuff' since I've never used it.

The point is Shanghai is a beautiful film in it's own right.

JPD said:
I would use a film you've never heard of, and develop it in a very exotic developer!

Nah, go with Efke PL100. It's a very nice film.

All films are films you've never heard of, until you hear of them for the first time, that isn't a great attitude.

Perhaps he or others have never heard of PL100 until now, and thus should avoid it at all costs?

Rick A · Jun 7, 2010

I vote for the Arista EDU Ultra (Foma). I've been shooting the dickens outta it in 120 and 4x5. I likes it a bunch.

ronlamarsh · Jun 7, 2010

Thanks for all the input. my main reason for considering efke and arista edu was cost(about half) but i must confess i got a couple of boxes of HP5+ in 4x5 and just took some shots and developed in D-23 1:1 and I must admit it produces stunningly beautiful negatives and seems to work well at 320asa for me which gives a whole lot more latitude in my opinion. So I'll probably go with HP5+ despite the cost and I have about 200 sheets of single emulsion medical(ortho) film to cut down and burn up in the 5x7 if I feel the need to shoot freely. Thanks Again

Mainecoonmaniac · Jun 7, 2010

I'm with Chris and Rick I like Arista EDU. It's good stuff. It's sheet film so it won't have that curl after you process it. Looks gorgous souped in HC-110.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 7, 2010

That's my dev of choice.

removed account4 · Jun 7, 2010

foma/arista and process it in coffee
it is one of my favorite combinations.

Athiril · Jun 8, 2010

Shanghai is also real low on cost

RobertV · Jun 8, 2010

am trying to decide between the efke 100 or the Arista EDU ultra(foma)

Two different type of films. I do not agree about the bad pulling of the Fomapan 100. It's pulls nice especially in Rodinal 1+50. In fact Fomapan 100 is actually their best (Czech) film.

Efke emulsions are not good for pulling, therefore HERE use box speed. They can be awsome in Beutler A+B, at that time (50's, Dr Schleussner) a developer made for these single layer films.

So if you go for a cheaper solution both films are fine, the recommended developers also, and cheap too

fschifano · Jun 8, 2010

I agree with RobertV there. I really like Foma 100. It's a very nice film. I've developed it in D-76, XTOL, and yes even Rodinal 1+50 with very nice results. If you're in the US, the price of the film as sold by Freestyle as Arista.EDU Ultra is hard to beat.

RobertV · Jun 8, 2010

If you're in the US, the price of the film as sold by Freestyle as Arista.EDU Ultra is hard to beat.

I think it's half priced then in the Czech Republic itself

You lucky guys and girls.....

Sal Santamaura · Jun 8, 2010

ronlamarsh said:
...So I'll probably go with HP5+ despite the cost...

Excellent decision! Now you can't be described as someone who "knows the price of all things and the value of none.

Which film

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