Fastest film for 8x10 other than TMY

[Neal Chaves]

I obtain a true 400 speed from HP5+ when I develop in IlfotechHC 1:31 68* for 7:30 or for 5:00 at 75*.

[Daniel Unkefer]

And you can replenish Acufine. Not everybody knows this. B&H stocks it.

[Drew Wiley]

Nominal speed is only part of the problem. TMY is quite steep near the bottom of the curve; HP5 has a substantial toe. TMY is very fine grained; HP5 has rather large grain. Very different personalities. I love both films but for different reasons.

[Oren Grad]

Is the application you have in mind one for which reciprocity behavior is going to matter?

[Peter De Smidt]

Oren, no. I need to shoot at 1/2 second or faster.

[Oren Grad]

OK. Beyond HP5 Plus, TMY and TXP, I think the other options are Foma 400, Foma Retro 320 and Bergger 400. Afraid I've not tested any of those, but between HP5 Plus and TXP, I'd certainly select HP5 Plus for speed. It's been my primary sheet film for more than 20 years, and I'd be comfortable with it for any assignment.

[Peter De Smidt]

Thanks, Oren. I’ve ordered a box.

[angusparker]

Change the developer not the film and get a stop of speed by N development in Xtol.

[Drew Wiley]

I absolutely love the combination of "watercolor grain" and enhanced edge effect I get with HP5 in PMK pyro, at least up to 3X enlargement. A nice 8x10 film, but too mushy for me personally in smaller formats. TMY is way more versatile in that respect. TXP has more of a shotgun grain - not my cup of tea, and I've never been impressed with Foma 400 or its overoptimistic speed rating.

[koraks]

I've never been impressed with Foma 400 or its overoptimistic speed rating.

I quite like it in 4x5, but doesn't get anywhere near 400. Maybe 250-320 in XTOL/mytol. But I find it performs best at 200 or even a little less. So it's not a high speed film in my book. I think of the options mentioned only TMY2 will actually reach 400.