Film Choice for Street Photography

One thing about film choice: it's not just the film but the combination of film and developer that makes all the difference. I use only Diafine developer. It's childproof and I like the results. The tonality of Tri-x in Diafine is especially beautiful, but the grain is exaggerated and so is effective speed. It's great for shooting in low light rated at 1200 or 1600, but not so great in bright daylight. That's way I use Ilford fp4 + (at 250) almost exclusively. Tight grain, great tonality, and a good speed for street or for nearly any other shootng situation.
 
Thanks all for the input. It appears that most RF user choose films with ISO 400. I have been using ISO 100 films. I think it is time to change my habit.
 
Calvin, I've been moving in the opposite direction--shooting more 100 speed film during the last half of 2006. I realized that I had succumbed to wanting large DOF unnecessarily.

Fuji Acros, and Neopan 400
 
Neopan 400. Like Tri-X but a bit more crips and modern looking. Souped in Rodinal or HC-110 depending on if I want accentuated grain or richer tonality. Seems to push well enough in a pinch and if mixes well with Neopan 1600 if I know I'm only shooting in available darkness.
 
Calvin said:
Thanks all for the input. It appears that most RF user choose films with ISO 400. I have been using ISO 100 films. I think it is time to change my habit.
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It depends.

I use ISO 100 almost always.

It really does depend what you're photographing, what light you've got, and what shutter/aperture you need or want.
 
Dont shoot color but I generally use HP5. However I also use Agfapan 100 when its bright and NP1600 when its dark.
 
Aurelius said:
Sorry lads. I dont like it at all ...
I dont like the grain. I think it is "flat". Difficult (for me).

show me a nice/good tri-x pic ... :rolleyes:
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Great...thanks! Now I have to clean the spray of coffee off my monitor screen! :) :) Don't joke around like that! :) ...you are joking, right?

:)
 
There's been plenty of wisdom dispensed on this question already, foremost that it depends on what you want to shoot, what effects you are after, and how you are going to process the film.
That said, here's my lineup: Delta 100 or Fuji Neopann Acros (I find the shadow detail and black saturation outstanding in both cases), Ilford HP5 (I love the contrast and the overall stark look), Delta 3200 exposed either ISO 2000 or at the officially rated speed. This is great for roaming dark alleys and the like.

You can find samples with each of these films here: http://flickr.com/photos/aglimpseoftheworld/

Everything is shot handheld and available light, either with my rangefinders or with a Rolleiflex.
 
well it was said before.... trix

between 400 and 3200 with xtol

and for some iso 100 stuff: apx but I like to have high speeds in the streets so trix is my absolute fav.
 
100 Tmax and 400 Tmax both developed in Xtol 1:1 and that goes for 35mm, 120 roll film, and 4x5. I also use a lot of 3200 Tmax developed in Tmax 1:4. I don't think I read in this thread that anyone that replied uses Tmax film.
 
1. used to use Tri-X but I am not developing my own stuff right now.
2. Kodak Ultracolor 400 or in a pinch, Walgreens color 400. Either it works great or I am such a mediocre photographer that I can't tell the difference.
 
Kodak CN400 - nice and contrasty and very convenient as I don't have a darkroom at present. When used with a yellow filter, it's great.
 
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