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Thread: choice of b&w film

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 1999
    Posts
    740

    choice of b&w film

    I'd be interested to hear of any recommendations as far as black and white sheet films, with regard to sharpness/tonal range/etc. I have used Agfapan 25 in 120 film with great success and to date have been using FP4 Plus and Bergger 200 (in PMK). However on examining and printing the negs they don't appear to be as "be efy" as the 6x9 negs on APX25. I have just read in "View Camera"(magazine) that the Bergger film is a bit on the grainy side in 4x5, and this is true of the she ets I have exposed. The FP4 is better, but I was wondering if anyone out there h as had good results from films such as T-Max 100, Ilford Delta etc (the Tabular grain emulsions). Also any suggestion as to a suitable developer!! To date I use Rodinal, PMK or FX 39. Many thanks in advance Paul

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 1999
    Posts
    114

    choice of b&w film

    T-Max 100 is a great film for large format. Sharp, great straight line curve and fine grain.

  3. #3

    choice of b&w film

    Paul: I have been using Kodak HC-110 for many years with great results. It delivers beautiful negatives with brilliant contrast. It is very easy to adjust your negatives with this developer to get the contrast you want. I use it with both Tri-x and T-Max 100 sheet films. HC-110 is not a so-called fine grain developer, but I routinely make 16x20 and 11x14 fine art prints from both film. I make prints to sell at art shows and have never had any problems with sharpness and grain. I have never used PMK or FX39, but Rodinal is a great developer but it seems to increase grain. Incidentally, how are you checking for grain? Is it showing up in your prints or are you using a magnifier on the neg? Grain just does not seem to be a problem with 4x5 unless you are making murals. Good shooting, Doug

  4. #4

    choice of b&w film

    put me on the hc 110 and tmax bandwagon too baby! I think the combination can withstand larger than 16 x20 prints however, although I rarely go above that size.

  5. #5

    choice of b&w film

    I agree with Doug,,,I use HC-110 w/ TriX and have no problem with grain or clarity.

  6. #6

    choice of b&w film

    Personally,I find T-max 100 with the T-max RS developer to be an excellent combo for super sharp negs with good tonal range.It works great in a jobo too.

  7. #7

    choice of b&w film

    With large format, who needs the sharpness and fine grain on T-grain films. Conventional films have better gradation. The have lower micro contrast, which means fine detail is more easily preserved in the highlights. Go with conventional films. See The Film Developing Cookbook on this. As for developers, I am now using D-76H. I don't think that D-76H is all that speical (what could be more ordianry), but I have yet to find a developer I like better.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    May 1998
    Posts
    218

    choice of b&w film

    Delta 100 or 400 in FX-39 works for me, as does HP5+ in Acutol. Certainly the grain is finer with the Delta films, but up to 20x16 I can't see the difference with my naked (and weary) eyes.

  9. #9

    choice of b&w film

    I like Arista 'cause Freestyle sells it cheap!

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Mar 1999
    Posts
    769

    choice of b&w film

    Another vote for Arista. Cheap. Develop it in HC110. Sure feels a lot like FP4+. DJ

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