Favourite 400 speed B+W film?

[topoxforddoc]

HP5 and XTOL 1:1

Charlie

 

[Chris101]

I used trix developed in hc110b for decades. A year or so ago, I began to use delta 400, with dilution h and a long interval agitation. I prefer delta's grain, contrast and detail. I still shoot trix for sentimental reasons. With rare exceptions, I only shoot these two films.

 

[dacaccia]

TriX - and Agfa APX (unlisted - but I still get it here) in Rodinal 1:25

Cheers,
dacaccia

 

[Honus]

I like them all, but Tri-X remains my favorite.

 

[kingjon]

Finally getting the hang of HP5+. Started w/ D-76 1:1, switched to HC110 dil. e or h and haven't looked back.
Jon

 

[Michiel]

I use Fomapan 400. Not because it's particularly good, but it's jolly cheap..

 

[sfb_dot_com]

I went for Neopan because I just processed a roll or two and the results were great, but that may be more down to the polarising filter I was using, and the light. It scans well on the Epson V750 too.

 

[PHOTOEIL]

HP5+ in Pyrocat-HD, was APX 400 in Rodinal for years and years....

 

[Photog9001]

hp
in xtol

 

[PATB]

Tri-X in D-76 1:1.

 

[like2fiddle]

I've tried several on the list and shot mostly HP5, but Tri-X has become my standard film.

 

[efreddi]

TriX, no doubt!!!


Elia

 

[chris000]

I've tried several on the list and shot mostly HP5, but Tri-X has become my standard film.

I'm thinking about going the other way. I love Tri-X but I use FP4 as a slower film and I'm beginning to feel that Ilford are showing greater interest in the future of film generally and B+W film in particular. So I feel I should support them until I'm too old and frail to carry a camera or too senile to care!

 

[magnus67]

I've mostly used Ilford Delta 400, but recently I shot a couple of rolls of HP5+ and liked the result very much. It was beyond expectation in low light situations (pushed to EI ca 1000-1250).

 

[Graham Line]

I've noticed that Fuji Neopan seems to have a following. Can someone tell me what you like about it, other than 50 cents cheaper than HP5 and a buck cheaper than Tri-X?

Neopan 400 gives you an honest 400 speed in most standard developers and is a bit more contrasty than comparable films from other mfr's. All depends what you're trying to achieve.

 

[Graham Line]

Overwhelmingly 75% of RFF users favour Ilford's HP5+ or Kodak's TriX. I wonder if it is based primarily on aesthetics?

Probably because so many of us are old folks resistant to change. Or people going for the '40s and '50s Life-Paris Match look.

My favourite 400 speed film is Ilford's Delta 400 developed in DDX 1+4; ... the Delta grain is exquisite and creamy.

Same here. Used to shoot a lot of 120 B&W, and Delta 400 in DD-X looks like the results from a Rolleiflex, but in 35mm. Also like the way Delta leaves the shadows open.

 

[Tom A]

I have always insisted that the world is divided, not in religion,race, color etc, but in film preference! Tri X and HP5 running neck to neck with 38+% each!
Well, at least we are civilized and dont shoot (well, we do, but not with bullets), maim or kill because of preference. I have used most films made over the decades, but if I have choice it is Tri X. You can push or pull it more than salfwater taffy at a beach resort, You can develop it in virtually anything and anywhere. If there ever was an international phrase that works it is "Tri X @400, D76 1:1 for 10-11 minutes"
So, it is not the most fine grained of the 400, nor does it have the longest tonal range, but it always will give you a printable negative, even under adverse condition.
Have fun, go to Flickr and hit the tag "Tri X" or "Tri X/5063" and sit back and enjoy the show,

 

[ghostganz]

I switched from Tri-X to HP5 after I read that the film base in HP5 attracts less dust, so it would be easier to scan. It seems to be true, but 35mm b+w is a pain to scan either way.

 

[gregg]

I flip-flop (so would make a great politician) but my current favorite is Fuji Neopan 400 in D-76 (1:1). It was also my favorite combination before spending the last year messing around with film/dev combos.

Also like Arista.EDU Ultra 400/Forte in Diafine or D:76 (1:1).

 

[Russ]

Fuji Neopan 400. It's awesome!

Russ