XP2- is it still on sale?

[RalphLambrecht]

Is it true that XP2 scans better than regular black and white film?

-rob

YES!

 

[Peter Black]

Is it true that XP2 scans better than regular black and white film?

-rob

I'm not really qualified to answer you Rob, since I get mine written to cd at processing time. I'm pretty sure that the theory is mainly based on the fact that it scans as a C41 film, which means that scratch and dust removal systems will work, whereas they don't with traditional b&w films.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I'm not really qualified to answer you Rob, since I get mine written to cd at processing time. I'm pretty sure that the theory is mainly based on the fact that it scans as a C41 film, which means that scratch and dust removal systems will work, whereas they don't with traditional b&w films.

I think the reason is that the XP2 emulsion consists of dyes and not light-reflecting silver particles.

 

[mrladewig]

Is it true that XP2 scans better than regular black and white film?

-rob

You can use digital ice on it, which doesn't work so well on standard silver B&W films.

The grain structure looks different standard B&W. I think its a subjective thing. I like the grain pattern of XP2 Super well enough, but it isn't like silver grain.

The same can be said of Kodak's BW400CN or Portra B&W products. They scan in the same way, can use ice, have similar looking C-41 dye-cloud type grain.

 

[DaveOttawa]

Aurum,

Will the minilab operations or larger concerns provide neutral prints from XP2 Super?

Tom.

In my experience here in Canada with grocery store & drug store labs the answer is yes and it is very neutral even though they are printing on colour paper, obviously that may change over time if the dyes in the paper fade at different rates. Here I can get a roll processed to negs + a CD with hi res jpgs for $2.99+tax in an hour so it can be very useful.
I would slightly question an earlier poster who implied it could be underexposed successfully, IME the results are not attractive but over exposure for finer grain certainly works.

 

[Aurum]

In my experience here in Canada with grocery store & drug store labs the answer is yes and it is very neutral even though they are printing on colour paper, obviously that may change over time if the dyes in the paper fade at different rates. Here I can get a roll processed to negs + a CD with hi res jpgs for $2.99+tax in an hour so it can be very useful.
I would slightly question an earlier poster who implied it could be underexposed successfully, IME the results are not attractive but over exposure for finer grain certainly works.

It underexposes like colour C41. You'll get useable results, and not have to worry about the colours being shot out, as its B&W, but the grain will tend to go up through the roof, and the images will be a bit mushy.

 

[DaveOttawa]

...the grain will tend to go up through the roof, and the images will be a bit mushy.

...which is exactly the effect I don't find very attractive, thanks for defining it! Grain I don't mind but I like it to be sharp.