Film/developer combo for fine grain & detail ??

[Calamity Jane]

Well, I searched the archives and didn't find anything, so I guess I'll ask.....

Now I know that B&W film/chemistry is very much a Ford/Chevy debate but I haven't done much film photography in the last few years, so I am out of touch. Also, my previous photography was MF and I am moving to 4x5.

My preference in a B&W negative film is for very fine grain with maximum detail. A broad tonal range is nice. Speed isn't important as my preferred subjects don't move very fast ;-) Processing speed isn't important and only a very few select negatives will ever end up on paper.

What film/chemistry combination do you feel will give the maximum detail over a broad tonal range?

I'm in Canada, outside of a minor city, so nothing exotic please :-)

Thanks for your opinions.

[Gem Singer]

Hi Calamity,

Since you don't need the extreme fine grain in your 4X5 negatives that you needed in your smaller format negatives, I suggest Ilford HP-5+ film, developed in Ilford Ilfotec DD-X developer. This combination produces a broad tonal range, with excellent acutance. It is not as fine grained as some of the other combinations, but still quite acceptible. I use it for 16X20 enlargements from 4X5 negatives.

HP-5+ film and DD-X developer should be readily available in your area. You will probably get a different recommendation from each contributor to this forum. Everyone has their own favorite combination. I recommend that whichever film and developer you choose, keep it simple.

[Tim Curry]

Efke 25 or Efke 100 (J&C Photo) and PMK.

[Moe_4073]

Calamity,

Ilford Delta100 or Kodak Tmax100 developed in Kodak D76, Ilfosol-S or Ilford Microphen work for me in producing fine grain and broad tone while still being easy to work with. My own preference is Ilford product and process. Living in Canada myself, even common film and chemicals such as these can be frustrating to get. Try ordering online from www.henrys.ca if a local shop can't help you or if it takes them more than a week to get something. Regards,

[paul owen]

Try Ilford Delta 100 with Paterson FX39 or failing FX39, Delta 100 in anything!

[Calamity Jane]

Ok, Delta 100 sounds like a sound choice. Microphen is an old familiar name - might just have some somewhere in the darkroom; don't suppose it has a 10 year shelf life? ;-)

[John Cook]

They are all correct. And Delta 100 is very nice film.

But I think you will find that the enlargement magnification from 4x5 negatives is so much less than from roll film that much of the darkroom magic does not show up in the print. Or is very minimal.

I have done several eye-popping special effects with 35mm over the years. But with sheet film, as long as the shutter opens and closes I always seem to get a superior image.

Much of the claims for high-accutance developers just don't show up in normal size prints from sheet film. I've gone crazy testing FX-1, Rodinal 1:100 etc. etc. etc. An 11x14 print from the fancy stuff looks no different than a print made from film developed in plain old D76.

I would therefore choose a developer for large format based on ease of use, shelf life, etc.

[Moe_4073]

Calamity,

According to Ilford's data sheets on powdered developers (Microphen included), they can keep indefinitely if stored unopened in cool and dry conditions between 4-20'C.

[Nick_3536]

When it comes to chemicals you can get almost everything in Canada. Film can be more of an issue. OTOH it's not like sheet film is sold in drugstores today so having to mail order is just something I accept.

Between the common stuff [Kodak,Fuji or Ilford] that almost any dealer can order for you or the less common stuff that Canadian places like Eight Elm street carry film isn't that hard to get. It can be expensive at times when compared to US prices but then I've seen some that is cheaper here.

[Francis Abad]

I beg to differ. There are significant differences as well in sheet film-dev combos, probably even more so than roll film-dev combos. In addition, adjusting development procedures also affect apparent sharpness and tonal rendition in sheet film. For example, the same scene exposed similarly on two sheets of the same film, where one is to be developed with very gentle but continuous agitation and the other with minimal agitation will be rendered differently in both negatives. The difference is quite obvious. The minimal agitation negative will experience a gain in apparent sharpness and increased local contrast - hence better tonal representation. Of course the results are also highly dependent on subject matter. In cases where there is plenty of sky area, gentle agitation will deliver much more even tonal rendition. In addition, different films respond differently to different development procedures, developers, developer dilutions, etc. Plus one also has to consider the desired output - i.e. silver enlargements, silver chloride contact prints, alternative processes, etc... The question is what will be your preferred subject matter (choose as many categories as you like) and what will you be your desired output?

My preferred output is AZO contact prints. My preferred film is Efke PL100 developed in Pyrocat HD 2:2:100, gentle agitation or Pyrocat HD 1:1:120, minimal agitation (subject matter dependent). To the naked eye there is no grain AT ALL! Tones everywhere! Highlights are never blocked!