Turtle
Veteran
I know this topic has been discussed before, but thought I would raise it again. This combination is really quite remarkable. I find I get finer grain than with DDX and the same speed (identical) by using Xtol 1+2. The grain is very nice and crisp, the tonal scale very good, but there is noticeably more apparent fine detail than with DDX.
I urge anyone wishing to find a combo one true stop faster than the usual 400 films to try this combo. Rate the Neopan 1600 at a stop faster than you would TriX or Neopan 400 in comparable light and go from there. I rate the Neopan at 500 in contrasty light and 640 when flat (in a Leica M).
My dev times will be longer than most as I use a very low contrast 10x8 head for wet printing (I use 10 mins 19 degs at 640 in average light). I am really blown away by the images. Lots of sparkle, comparable grain to TriX and I would argue even finer than HP5+ or at least more uniform/tighter, a stop more speed, very flexible int eh dev in terms of under/over. The grain is FAR finer than D3200 (in any dev) and really is more along 'traditional 400' lines (Neopan 400 is obviously finer) . No substitute for D3200 when the fastest speed is required, but if you can make it work at 640 you are sorted. The great thing is that when you step out into the outside, perhaps after shooting inside dingy rooms, you do not have to urgently switch to a slower film like you do with 3200. You can shoot as you would a 400 film and pay a noticeably but not too painful grain penalty.
Most people when complain about this film rate it too fast. Within its limits, its really peerless. TriX grain but one more stop for free. I would also warrant, that done right I (and thats not hard) a lot of people would love the look too. Looks like old TriX perhaps.
I urge anyone wishing to find a combo one true stop faster than the usual 400 films to try this combo. Rate the Neopan 1600 at a stop faster than you would TriX or Neopan 400 in comparable light and go from there. I rate the Neopan at 500 in contrasty light and 640 when flat (in a Leica M).
My dev times will be longer than most as I use a very low contrast 10x8 head for wet printing (I use 10 mins 19 degs at 640 in average light). I am really blown away by the images. Lots of sparkle, comparable grain to TriX and I would argue even finer than HP5+ or at least more uniform/tighter, a stop more speed, very flexible int eh dev in terms of under/over. The grain is FAR finer than D3200 (in any dev) and really is more along 'traditional 400' lines (Neopan 400 is obviously finer) . No substitute for D3200 when the fastest speed is required, but if you can make it work at 640 you are sorted. The great thing is that when you step out into the outside, perhaps after shooting inside dingy rooms, you do not have to urgently switch to a slower film like you do with 3200. You can shoot as you would a 400 film and pay a noticeably but not too painful grain penalty.
Most people when complain about this film rate it too fast. Within its limits, its really peerless. TriX grain but one more stop for free. I would also warrant, that done right I (and thats not hard) a lot of people would love the look too. Looks like old TriX perhaps.
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ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
I've been slowly moving up the film speed scale. The more cloudy weather we have, the more I find the need a speed faster than 50. I spent the better half of the year learning Rodinal which is great for slow films but goes doesn't fit my tastes for films faster than 100.
I recently tried Xtol again and have been pleasantly surprised at how nice it works as a developer. My favorite dilution by far is 1+3, it has very nice sharpness and detail.
I use Rodinal to develop my films rated at half their box speed and Xtol for films rated at box speed. I have pushed Tri-x to 1600 using Xtol but it remains a last option if I don't have any faster film.
I'll be picking up some Neopan 1600 the next time I get some film. I'll run a roll of two to fine tune my development time and exposure rating.
I recently tried Xtol again and have been pleasantly surprised at how nice it works as a developer. My favorite dilution by far is 1+3, it has very nice sharpness and detail.
I use Rodinal to develop my films rated at half their box speed and Xtol for films rated at box speed. I have pushed Tri-x to 1600 using Xtol but it remains a last option if I don't have any faster film.
I'll be picking up some Neopan 1600 the next time I get some film. I'll run a roll of two to fine tune my development time and exposure rating.
flip
良かったね！
I wonder how much praise it would take to get an arista rebrand of it. 
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
I wonder how much praise it would take to get an arista rebrand of it.
Here's hoping! I wonder if we'll see Arista Premium/Legacy Pro in 120 before we see other emulsions from them.
steven:s
Steven:s
neopan 1600 is to be praised in whatever form it is distilled.... it is a fabulous film
srichmond
Established
agreed, nothing compares
shyoon
Well-known
Neopan 1600 developed in Xtol 1:1 is a wonderful combination. I was pleasantly surprised just how fine-grained the negatives were. I recently used it in my Olympus Stylus Epic to take pictures at a gig and was very happy with my results. In fact, I'm highly considering using it in my Olympus full-time.
Some pictures:
Some pictures: