Sheet film under ISO 100 - what's available?

[Rory_3532]

I have an old lens with a slow maximum shutter speed that I want to use at wide apertures. As far as I can determine, Kodak Tech Pan, Fuji Velvia 50 and Kodak Ektachrome 64 are the only 4x5 sheet films available under ISO 100. Are there any others? I do realize that a neutral density filter is also an option. Thanks.

[Michael Kadillak]

Efke 25. Nice film - JandCphotography.com

Cheers!

[John Kasaian]

In addition to Ekfe 25, there is ortho. Photo Wharehouse, Freestyle, and Ilford sell ortho with ISOs from something like 3-1/2 to 25 or so. I think I remember someone selling MACO UP 25 is sheet sizes---who I don't know, but it might be worth looking into.

Cheers!

[Jim_3565]

You don't have to limit yourself to the manufacturer's suggested rating either. I rate both JandC Classic 200 and Efke PL100 at 50 with beautiful results.

[Armin Seeholzer]

Hi

There is also a B/W Film in 25 ASA with the name Gigabitfilm from germany: http://www.gigabitfilm.de/html/deutsch/menue_main.htm

[Rory_3532]

Thanks for the responses so far.

Armin,

The current issue of the British magazine "Black and White Photography" contains an extremely positive review of Gigabitfilm. Apparently it's a new product and requires a specific developer that is sold with the film. When I read the review, I got the impression that it is not available as sheet film, but it's clear from the web site that it is.

[Rory_3532]

In case anyone is interested, the website of the UK distributor of Gigabitfilm contains the review mentioned above: http://www.retrophotographic.com/PDFs/BW_Photo_Mag_2004_Film.pdf

[Michael_3785]

Hello Rory,
I regularly use FP4 at ISO 64 with very good results, just in favour of long exposures (I've got an APO Ronar 300/9 w/o shutter - so I use it with "hat shutter" at f/64~f/260).
I developed my last films in ID-11 1+1 (cca. 8 min/20°C, rotating) just yesterday evening - and they look great again!
Wishing "good light", Michael

[Lloyd Lim]

Don't forget the polaroids.. Type 55 is about ASA 32 for the neg and ASA 80 for the print.

[Jim Galli]

At risk of chastisement I'll mention one of my favorites; Kodak Aerial Panatomic F. Comes in a 5 inch roll and is 4 mil thick so it's certainly not sheet film. However I've had grand luck chopping it into 4 and 7 inch pieces for the 4X5 and 5X7. I rate it at ASA 32, and like the G'bit film, it's hard to focus because there simply is NO grain. Unlike the G'bit film it's only about 25 cents per running foot. Contrast has to be reckoned with. I have to develop for about 4 1/2 minutes in dilluted pyro to control it. Certainly not for everyone. Never tried Microdol or any of the POTA developers but those would make sense for longer development times. I have enough in the freezer to make pictures for about a third of a millenium if Kodak decides to quit the film biz.