A noob's encounter with Kodak Plus-X

[defconfunk]

When I bought some used developing equipment, the seller threw in her old bulk loader and an unopened 400' can of Plus-X. This can of film expired before I graduated high school.

I figure I've got roughly 60 rolls of free film; even if it's 60 rolls of "lomographic" quality photos, that's still a good deal.

I shot my first full roll of it over the past few days, and I developed it last night (in D-76, which I also got obscene amounts of for free). I was lazy and just left my camera's light meter at ISO100 (Plus-X is technically 125). The images definitely have a bit of over exposure, so I won't make that mistake again.

I have to say, I'm really impressed. The tones are very smooth, and the grain is fine and pleasant (pretty much just right in my books). It does appear to lack a wide contrast range, but I'm not sure how much of that comes down to my scanner (and is easily fixed in post processing).
I don't have much to compare it to. The only other B&W film I've had developed was a roll of Delta400 and it had significantly more grain than I expected. Shooting ISO400 is definitely easier than 125.

While I'm not likely to run out of Plus-X for a good while yet, what else is like it? How similar is the Ilford Pan 125? Do any of the 400 speed films offer similar results?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can eek out of the next 60 rolls 🙂

 

[Bingley]

Congrats, and enjoy your Plus-X, b/c Kodak has discontinued it. It's one of my favorite films. I'd hoped that Ilford FP4 might be a replacement, but I don't think it is after shooting a few rolls. For a more vintage look with long tonal range, I like TMax 100, but it's not the same as Plus-X.

 

[znapper]

Ilford FP4 is slightly similar, it's an old-school film type. But it's not exactly like plus-x.
- Probably depends on how you shoot it and what you develop it in and how, I am sure one can make them look very similar with the right knowledge.
Also, I find Kodak Tri-X 400 to be it' cousin concerning the look, albeit with more grain in 35mm.
I use tri-x in 120 and plus-x in 35mm.

 

[farlymac]

Enjoy it while it lasts!

PF

 

[maddoc]

400 ft of Plus-X is a nice find ! For some dramatic effects also try a red filter some time. 😉

 

[newtorf]

When I first jumped into film world last year, I bought an old bulk loader with about 50' Plus-X in it. Expired long long ago, though the exact number of years is unknown. Pretty grainy and foggy. But it helped me sharpen my skill in developing and bulk loading. Unfortunately it became very difficult to find this film before I began to fully appreciate it...

Enjoy your Plus-X film!

When I bought some used developing equipment, the seller threw in her old bulk loader and an unopened 400' can of Plus-X. This can of film expired before I graduated high school.

I figure I've got roughly 60 rolls of free film; even if it's 60 rolls of "lomographic" quality photos, that's still a good deal.

I shot my first full roll of it over the past few days, and I developed it last night (in D-76, which I also got obscene amounts of for free). I was lazy and just left my camera's light meter at ISO100 (Plus-X is technically 125). The images definitely have a bit of over exposure, so I won't make that mistake again.

I have to say, I'm really impressed. The tones are very smooth, and the grain is fine and pleasant (pretty much just right in my books). It does appear to lack a wide contrast range, but I'm not sure how much of that comes down to my scanner (and is easily fixed in post processing).
I don't have much to compare it to. The only other B&W film I've had developed was a roll of Delta400 and it had significantly more grain than I expected. Shooting ISO400 is definitely easier than 125.

While I'm not likely to run out of Plus-X for a good while yet, what else is like it? How similar is the Ilford Pan 125? Do any of the 400 speed films offer similar results?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can eek out of the next 60 rolls 🙂

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

i still have around 20 rolls of the plus-x.

here's a recent picture, taken on the yashica t4