affordable 35mm BW film

[Teus]

I'm stocking in on film. I'm probably buying Double X, but I'm curious about what film there is out there. I'm listing prices of macodirect.de so you can see what is interesting for me, and what not.

Tonality is most important to me, grain has no importance.

Rollei Retro 100 TONAL 39.33
Rollei RETRO 80S 29.81
Rollei SUPERPAN 200 29.90

efke KB 100 35.70

Fomapan 100 Classic 40.46

Ilford DELTA 100/400 61.88
Ilford FP4+/HP5+ 56.80

Kodak TRI-X 400 70.79
Kodak TMAX: over 80 euro!

Ilford FP4+ an HP5+ are as good and modern as Kodak film, but a bit different. What cheaper films are trustworthy?

Efke is very cheap, I recall they have a "classic" look but they would be older technology. I would like the old-fashioned tonality.

 

[oftheherd]

I haven't used any, but the Efke 100 gets good reviews on the Freestyle site.

 

[batterytypehah!]

^He's in Belgium but since it would be a larger order, maybe shipping and customs would still be worth it.

Efke 100: Try it before you commit. I've used it (in 127, same stock though) with D-76 and Kodak fixer and gave up. The stuff curls so much you can't scan it, even after weeks of pressing.

 

[ohoyer]

You could also try Rollei Retro 100 (without "Tonal"), thats old Agfa APX 100 repackaged. Classic in Rodinal.

Also Efke films are a bit tricky and sensitive, but if you like the different look of a film with rich silver emulsion like in the 50s, you should give Adox CHS 100 a try. These are manufactured by Efke to specifications of Adox, distributed by Fotoimpex in Berlin/Germany. Very good in Rodinal.

 

[jordanstarr]

Fuji Neopan 400 is selling at B&H for $2.69 a roll, which is as cheap as bulk loading without the hassle, possible negative scratches from reloadable canisters and no fear of having them pop open when you drop a roll or have it rolling around in your bag.

 

[MartinP]

Have a look at Macodirect at the moment. They have special offers on Rollei Retro 100 (APX100) bulk reels which knock the standard price off the park. It is very nice indeed in Rodinal, or even ID11 1+1. And no, I don't work for them !

 

[richardhkirkando]

Arista Premium B&W 400 ISO is, by all accounts, Tri-X.

On bulk rolls of Arista Premium 400, the outer edge of the developed film actually says "KODAK 400TX". It is Tri-X.

 

[jbielikowski]

Adox/Efke films have great look, but scanning is pita.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

^He's in Belgium but since it would be a larger order, maybe shipping and customs would still be worth it.

Efke 100: Try it before you commit. I've used it (in 127, same stock though) with D-76 and Kodak fixer and gave up. The stuff curls so much you can't scan it, even after weeks of pressing.

The 35mm version of Efke 100 doesn't curl, only the 127 and 120 sizes. Its good 35mm film with gorgeous tonality.

Developed in Rodinal 1+50

Developed in PMK, a magnificent combination

 

[gliderbee]

^He's in Belgium but since it would be a larger order, maybe shipping and customs would still be worth it.

Who is in Belgium ? Since I am, I'm always interested in a good place to buy in the vicinity !

Stefan.

 

[Teus]

thanks everyone. I'll hunt for Double x and try some film on Macodirect: Efke 100 bulk and some of the other deals you can make.

Can I get Arista in Europe?
I haven't found it yet.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Who is in Belgium ? Since I am, I'm always interested in a good place to buy in the vicinity !

Stefan.

The OP.
[10 chars]

 

[Teus]

what films are best for scanning, by the way?

 

[batterytypehah!]

The 35mm version of Efke 100 doesn't curl, only the 127 and 120 sizes. Its good 35mm film with gorgeous tonality.

Ah, good to know. Thanks, Chris.

However, I have used Efke 400 in 35mm and got the same frustrating curl. Maybe I just need to steam up the bathroom longer before I hang the stuff to dry.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Just looking over some of my efke stuff...I don't remember any bad curling problems in 120 and none at all in 35mm. Love the tonal values of the stuff done in barry's 2 bath formula.


Second Son by SteveMPhoto, on Flickr

I think I need to order some 120 and shoot it through the Mamiya 7.

Oh...I've also shot it in 127. That was hard to handle, but I wrote that off to the PITA format.

 

[mfogiel]

In my opinion, there are 2 great choices:
Rollei Retro 100 from Maco - the expiring film is very cheap, you can refrigerate it and shoot for many years to come.
Arista Premium 400 from Freestyle - if you order 100-300 rolls, the cost of shipment becomes negligible - I paid no taxes here, in Monaco (same as France for customs).

 

[Gid]

Check out http://www.totalblankmedia.com/black-white-film-c-27_87.html?osCsid=6i83q29fei714ttj1qp8br3ue1

Very good prices (at least UK) for Ilford HP5+ and FP4+ and they deliver outside UK. FP4 and HP5 both £2.55 in 120 and £3.27 in 35mm. Delta is £2.94 and £3.88 respectively in both 100 and 400.

Just bought a load of FP4 and HP5 in 120 and 35mm 🙂

 

[haempe]

Efke / Adox films are really nice if you like the "classic look".
But I would not recommend to buy it in bulks, especially if you use a film loader which wind the film through the light seal of the cartridge since the film is very sensitive to scratches.
Rollei Retro 100 / APX 100 is also a good and inexpensive film, especially in Rodinal. But you should buy, before the stock goes to an end.

 

[Nokton48]

My choice (tonality being most important) is Eastman XX motion picture film.

 

[youngcoby]

Thijs,
I'm in Belgium too.
In case you haven't ordered yet, I have some rolls of Rollei Retro 100. If you want, I can send some.
Send me a pm.
Filip