Poll: What is your favorite B&W Film [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

Christopher Perez

1-Sep-2006, 07:40

TMax100 in 4x5, but switching to Fuji Neopan100 (due to a series of very bad Kodak Readyload holders being warped). Also like Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal 150:1.

TMax400 in 8x10. Maybe someday will try Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal on this format too. We'll see.

Michael Kadillak

1-Sep-2006, 07:53

You could easily justify splitting the T Max category into 100 and 400 as they are two completely different emulsions.

After using a myriad of sheet films over the last few years I have settled on only T Max 400 as my film. The higher film speed allows me to shoot in less than optimal conditions, the reciprocity correction is minimal and accurate, it soups in enerything from A - Z exceptionally well and it builds density to the moon which for Azo and alt process folks is a regular necessity. It also has no anti-UV coating in the film base.

About the only thing that it does not do is mix my martini's. I am willing to accept that responsibility.

Cheers!

Eric Biggerstaff

1-Sep-2006, 07:56

Well, I need to answer my own poll, I have been using a lot of Delta 100 this summer but found a 100 sheet box of HP5+ in the freezer behind the frozen corn, so it looks like that will be my film of choice for the fall!

Ron Marshall

1-Sep-2006, 08:18

TMY is my current favourite, but also Acros and FP4. Acros is very similar to TMX but with better reciprocity charecteristics.

Hany Aziz

1-Sep-2006, 08:24

FP4+ is my favourite. I use Acros (quickloads) for convenience during travel. Rarely HP5+ for speed (it is my main film for 8x10) and Efke PL 100 for odd sizes (13x18 and 4x10). My favourite and most used film is however the FP4+.

Sincerely,

Hany.

Eric Leppanen

1-Sep-2006, 08:24

I use TMX for 4x5 (readyloads) and HP5+ for 8x10 (speed).

Eric Biggerstaff

1-Sep-2006, 09:14

I am surprised so far, FP4 is in the lead, I would of thought T Max

Oren Grad

1-Sep-2006, 09:18

TX in roll film, but HP5 Plus for sheet film. I like them because they don't build density to the moon. ;)

Sal Santamaura

1-Sep-2006, 09:31

I am surprised so far, FP4 is in the lead, I would of thought T MaxWhy would you be surprised? I've found that TMX is an entirely different (lesser) animal since production was moved to a new plant some years back. And, although I did pay for some 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 TMY as part of the Kodak special order, they haven't seen fit to cut/deliver it yet. I've been biting my tongue through a number of threads both here and at APUG, but can contain myself no longer. Kodak now ceases to be a customer-supporting, viable supplier as far as I'm concerned. Fortunately, I also ordered hundreds of sheets in the Ilford special arrangement, and have received them all. From now on it's Ilford for me, with an optimistic eye toward diversity when J&C gets its own coating operation running.

Oh, by the way, to answer your original question: FP4+ and, for 4x5 when on travel, Acros quickloads.

j.e.simmons

1-Sep-2006, 09:37

I've forced myself to learn to use Efke PL100 because it comes in all the sizes I use. It's a good film when one learns to overcome its propensity for scratching.
juan

Ole Tjugen

1-Sep-2006, 09:54

I voted for FP4+, but at the moment I use far more APX100. While I have some left...

Mike H.

1-Sep-2006, 10:04

Shhh.... In the past seven years I've never used anything but TMax 100. Almost understand it now. :o

Greg Miller

1-Sep-2006, 10:21

You left color films off the list. My favorite process is to shoot color and convert to B&W in Photoshop. (author ducks)

Eric Biggerstaff

1-Sep-2006, 10:29

Sorry Greg! Never thought of that one!

JW Dewdney

1-Sep-2006, 10:44

Damn - I clicked on 'other' - wondering why the HELL Pan F wasn't on there... but then I forgot... LF forum...!! ooops!

Amund BLix Aaeng

1-Sep-2006, 10:55

TXP in both 4x5 and 8x10. And I really like Acros for those long exposures.
But I have just ordered a bunch of Arista.Edu.Ultra 200 in 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, I I really hope it will be useable :)

Capocheny

1-Sep-2006, 10:59

FP4+

Cheers

Andrew O'Neill

1-Sep-2006, 11:09

HP5+ in 4x5 and 8x10. Occasionaly FP4+, and 4x5 infra-red (will be trying the Rollei stuff whenever it gets in after many years using Kodak IR).

Walter Foscari

1-Sep-2006, 12:07

FP4+ But recently tried some fomapan (200) and liked it.

Eric Biggerstaff

1-Sep-2006, 12:10

FP4 has taken a big lead, but the day is young! :-)

Jan Pedersen

1-Sep-2006, 13:14

Glad that i could wote on more than one, seems wrong to leave so many good film out by picking just one.
TMY, Acros, FP4+ and EfkePL100 are my favorites but as Ole, i have a lot of APX100/400 still to use in 120 format and would have been putting those up if possible

Armin Seeholzer

1-Sep-2006, 14:49

Delta 100 in 4x5 and 8x10 and if I need speed TMX400 and on the long and dificult trips TMX100 in readyload!

Robert A. Zeichner

1-Sep-2006, 15:33

T-Max 400

BruceN

1-Sep-2006, 15:39

FP4+ for me, too.

Bruce

BrianShaw

1-Sep-2006, 16:11

HP5+ and FP4+ for me. I mistakenly also selected "other" due to a caffeine-induced fantasy that Plus-X was still available in 4x5. I did not select Bergger because I shoot it but don't know if I like it or not.

jnantz

1-Sep-2006, 16:15

depends what format ..
only xxx in 5x7
and about the same amount of 100/400 tmax ( as tri x ) in 4x5

i haven't used any of the "new" tri x, all of mine expired in 2000 or 1990s

Ron Marshall

1-Sep-2006, 16:26

How does one choose more than one film?

chris_4622

1-Sep-2006, 16:44

I used to use Efke exclusively but since I can't get that I have been using fp4+ which I like and might make my first choice. Developed in pyrocat hd, to answer the other poll.

Diane Maher

1-Sep-2006, 17:48

Ilford HP5+, FP4+, Kodak Tri-X, Fuji Acros (if it were there, I'd also say Fuji Provia. I haven't tried the Fuji 160 Pro S yet), and Maco 820c IR and Maco 820c Aura IR. I think that covers all the bases. ;)

Diane

Eric Biggerstaff

1-Sep-2006, 18:05

I go to dinner and come back to find FP4+ still in front with T-Max and Tri-X fighting it out for second. It may be a tight race!

Eric Biggerstaff

1-Sep-2006, 21:24

Thanks everyone, keep them coming!

Gary L. Quay

1-Sep-2006, 22:08

My favorite B&W film has ceased to exist, but I still have 5 rolls in the fridge. It's Konica 750 Infrared.

I really like the Efke PL 50, developed in PMK Pyro, but it's a little persnickety. So, for ease of handling and consistantly good results, I'm firmly in the FP4 Plus camp.

While I'm at it, honorable mention goes to Foma 100, Fuji Acros, and Maco 820 IR. I wanted to try the Maco IR Aura film, but apparently, it's gone away too.

Gary

John Bowen

2-Sep-2006, 04:01

Tri-X for 4x5 and smaller HC-110 dil B

TMY for 8x10 & 7x17 / Pyrocat-HD / AZO contact prints

John

Mark Pope

2-Sep-2006, 04:07

Just realised that I posted Acros - that's in 35mm (D'oh!) I haven't seen Acros in anything other than quick-load format. Does anyone know whether it is available as 'normal' sheet film for 4x5 dark slides?
So far, all my LF work has been in HP5 plus - something that I've used for years in 35mm and MF.

Bobf

2-Sep-2006, 04:35

Just realised that I posted Acros - that's in 35mm (D'oh!) I haven't seen Acros in anything other than quick-load format. Does anyone know whether it is available as 'normal' sheet film for 4x5 dark slides?<snip>Only in Japan I believe - certainly not in the UK (where the price of Quickloads is absurd)...

Cheers, Bob.

Eric Biggerstaff

2-Sep-2006, 06:08

Hey everyone,

This is great and thanks for participating. I would not of guessed that FP4+ would rank at the top, given the popularity of T-Max amongst several well known photographers I was sort of thinking that would of been number 1. I wonder how close this poll matches real world market share.

I am a big fan of Fuji Acros but as it is only available in the VERY expensive quickload version here in the states ( as least as far as I know), I can't justify the cost to make it my standard film. To bad, as it is a great one.

Sal Santamaura

2-Sep-2006, 07:35

...I haven't seen Acros in anything other than quick-load format. Does anyone know whether it is available as 'normal' sheet film for 4x5 dark slides?...

...I am a big fan of Fuji Acros but as it is only available in the VERY expensive quickload version here in the states (as least as far as I know)...

Megaperls and Badger Graphic Sales offer Acros, both 4x5 and 8x10 loose sheets, for sale and delivery worldwide. Jeff's prices are substantially lower, but he includes a caveat about limited supply. I think he only makes purchases every once in a while so, if he runs out in between, that source would be temporarily unavailable. Dirk is in Tokyo and, while his prices are higher, he obtains stock at retail, thus has a regular supply at his disposal. Shipping expenses vary widely depending on which vendor and where the film is going.

Eric Biggerstaff

2-Sep-2006, 16:34

That is great to know, thanks Sal, I might have a new standard film.

Donald Qualls

2-Sep-2006, 19:21

Foma and Forte currently account for about 95% of my film consumption -- it's not 100% only because I'm still using up the tag end of some Tri-X from a bulk roll in 35 mm, and because I occasionally shoot 35 mm color (which, being bargain film, is rebranded Ferrania). For large format, I still have some Tri-X in 9x12 cm, but I don't shoot much 9x12 cm.

Alex Hawley

2-Sep-2006, 19:34

In 8x10; J&C 400, Efke PL100.

In 4x5; same as above but add FP4+ and Polaroid Type 55.

Everything except the Type 55 developed in Pyrocat-HD.

Loved the old Tri-X but not the new. Have a few sheets left of the old, then it will be no more. Not looking back either. J&C 400 fills the niche.

Leonard Metcalf

2-Sep-2006, 20:34

I'm a HP5 fan myself, though I sometimes use Acros in quickloads. Personally I like a film with a straight line response rather than nice toes and shoulders.

Patrik Roseen

3-Sep-2006, 02:29

I like the nice and different results of both Efke PL100 and Kodak TMX.
I have not had any problems to develop the TMX film in combiplan tank (FX-39,1:19, 20C, 17 min)

I was thinking of saying that Efke PL100 is a good and tolerant beginners film because this is the one I was using when I started out...on the other hand one has to remember it's much slower <EI50 and sensitive to reciprocity...so I'm not so sure anymore.

Michael Daily

3-Sep-2006, 17:33

LF=HP5, 35mm=Pan F
Michael

zoneVIII

3-Sep-2006, 20:41

Love FP4+ and TMY result

andrea1971

4-Sep-2006, 09:26

I use efke 25... 120 and 4x5 I develop in D7 to 6,30 minutes with unrest 1 minute I find is fantastic with a tone staircase very extensive II IX I clash normal best

Robert Skeoch

4-Sep-2006, 18:02

I've switched from T-max 400 to Delta 100 over the past few months.
I'm just tired of Kodak's attitude.

Laszlo

4-Sep-2006, 23:18

TMX-100 (developed in CombiPlan, using Xtol or D76) is my favorite B&W film. It has stunning sharpness and has a previsible and (to my eye) pleasant tonal response.

Also use Maco IR 820c.

In color, use Provia and Velvia.