Medium Format B+W film for 24x30 prints

[Roger Richards]

Hi all, seeking some advice on film selection. Will TXP 320 hold up for 24x30 inch enlargements with decent grain and image resolution? This is for use both in a 6x7 back on a 4x5 and also in a 6x7 Mamiya camera. Any other films? How about Fuji Neopan 400 or Ilford Hp5-Plus? Also, how does Kodak Plus-X hold up against Ilford FP-4? Your comments will be much appreciated.

[Donald Hutton]

Roger I don't use TXP, but I have frequently made 20X24 inch prints from TMax 100 shot on 6X7. Grain is only visible with a loupe! 16X20 enlargements are very difficult to discern from 4X5 images.

[Bruce Watson]

That's about a 10x enlargement - you should be fine with any 400 or so speed modern film or slower.

[David Luttmann]

Hey Roger,

I've done some enlargements from Ilford HP5 to 24x30. You'll see the grain, but not much more than the same film on 35mm at 11x14. I almost always use Ilford Pan F 50 in my RB67. There is no grain on a 16x20, and you'd have to have your eyeball up to a 24x30 to see grain clearly.

Maybe try Delta 400 or TMax 400. A bit tighter grain and sharper as well. I consider 16x20 the max with 400 speed and 6x7.

Regards,

[Ted Harris]

Roger,

I agree with all the previous posts but there arae still way too many variables for anyone else to mirror your own personal experience; expecially when it comes to working with the Mamiya 6x7. Are you hand holding? Is your focus right on the money? Are yiou using the best quality enlarging optics? One and on ..... Go ahead and try it and see.

[Roger Richards]

Thanks for your replies. I am figuring that it would be best to use an ISO 100-125 film for going 24x30. Probably 16x20/20x24 is best for ISO 400. Ted, the Mamiya will be used handheld and the neg will be scanned and printed digitally.

[David Luttmann]

Roger,

I presume that with 6x7 you're using either the RB or RZ 67 models. If you want 24x30, you'll need the top 1/400 speed and steady hands. At that size, any shake will show. Are you sure you can't use a tripod for some of these shots?

A slightly grainy sharp photo is better than a blurry one shot on Tech Pan!

[Roger Richards]

Hi Dave, I am using a Mamiya 7 for most 6x7 work in decent light. Not too worried about camera shake, more concerned with the aesthetic look of the film at this point.

[David Luttmann]

Sounds good Roger. The M7 is light in comparison to my RB....or "the Brick" as my wife refers to it.