What film to use for first test shots

[r.e.]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I have been using Harman direct positive paper with some good results. I did order a box of Frankenstein 200. I am also going to order a box of Ilford HP5 Plus.

I've been thinking about trying the Ilford/Harman paper myself since seeing the video below. What do you think of it? Will you continue using it after you start using film?



By the way, if you haven't seen it, fellow Minnesotan Alec Soth has an active YouTube channel himself: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHI...OGNrQ_g/videos

[Mitchellsig]

Thank you for the link to Alec Soth. I don't think I will continue to use the Direct Positive Paper, I've had some good results and so very bad results. For me, it has been inconsistent. Might be my lack of experience. Can't wait to get the film!

[jnantz]

Thank you for the link to Alec Soth. I don't think I will continue to use the Direct Positive Paper, I've had some good results and so very bad results. For me, it has been inconsistent. Might be my lack of experience. Can't wait to get the film!

the Ilford DPP is sometimes difficult to use. Some suggest it has runaway contrast so you need to "pre flash" the paper ( under an enlarger or in your camera with opaque glass unfocused over the lens to the north sky there the naked photographer has a video about doing this if you find him on you tube )
you might consider overcast and / or open shade. have fun with your film when it arrives!

[Paul Ron]

i started with arista then went to berger n illfords then switched to tmax plus x tri x and each one required the same start over for getting exposues n development times spot on... turned out youll need at least a 25 sh box each time. so pick a film you intend to stay with for a while.... any film!

each film you pick has very different characteristics and it takes time to get to know it well enough to make good images.

[r.e.]

the Ilford DPP is sometimes difficult to use. Some suggest it has runaway contrast so you need to "pre flash" the paper...

Ilford/Harman talks about pre-flashing its direct positive paper starting at 1:35 of the video above (post #41).

[r.e.]

Looking forward to see what they will charge for Mummy 400 8x10.

So am I. If the price is in line with the price for 4x5, I'll be buying to have an 8x10 film that I can use without being concerned too much about cost per sheet.