What film to use in the big city ??

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kennyg

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Going on a trip to NYC and then Philly. I have never tried B&W film and I think this may be a good time to try it. Any suggestions on what to use ? I was thinking of ordering from Adorama. I don't plan on developing these myself....will send out to Mystic labs in Ct.
 
I don't buy regular B&W film for labs to process any more - too many screw-ups, even with professional labs. Now its all home developed. Chromogenic film is excellent for lab development though. It has high latitude and (at least in my experience) it doesn't matter if you send it to a pro lab or the local 1-hour place. Chromogenic film also scans well. Use Ilford XP2 if you are going to print on B&W paper; Kodak BW400CN if you are going to print on color paper. Have fun in NYC, I lived there when I came to America first; a wonderful city!
 
Rather than send anything to Mystic, why not shoot a roll or 2 of a non-esoteric B&W film like Kodak Tri-X or Ilford HP5+ & have the roll(s) developed @ 1 of the excellent labs in NYC? You can always have the film mailed to your home address if there isn't time to pick up.

kennyg said:
Going on a trip to NYC and then Philly. I have never tried B&W film and I think this may be a good time to try it. Any suggestions on what to use ? I was thinking of ordering from Adorama. I don't plan on developing these myself....will send out to Mystic labs in Ct.
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Kennyg: Without knowing anything of your shooting style, equipment you're using, or what it is you want to shoot in either city, the field of film is basically wide open. My recommendation is any 400 speed film rated at or +1/3 stop.
 
I'd go with furcafe's suggestion, Maybe purchase the film in person at adorama...ask them where to get it developed. Or xp2 super is my standby b&w. Walmart (in a pinch) even does an ok job on this stuff.
 
I am using a Bessa R with a 35/2.5 lens. I thought I would take snapshots of interesting people....from a distance of course.....and interesting buildings and street scenes. I do like the idea of having it developed in NYC. I am a complete amateur and new to the hobby.
 
kennyg said:
I am using a Bessa R with a 35/2.5 lens. I thought I would take snapshots of interesting people....from a distance of course.....and interesting buildings and street scenes. I do like the idea of having it developed in NYC. I am a complete amateur and new to the hobby.
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Ken, try shots of interesting people from close up. A nod and a smile will go a long way as far as getting permission and making you feel more comfortable too. Add a thank you and in NYC you may make a friend. If you are new to the hobby, the C41 films may be a good idea. Easy to process, can be done at a 1 hour lab if you want them done while you are in town, that will give you instant feedback. And, I would bet Mystic will do a good job with it too.

Enjoy your trip.
 
Take a look at this lab who do work for major photographers in NYC.

http://www.mvlabs.com/index.html

I think you should run a roll to them of Tri-X to develop, look who uses their serivces, ESPN Magazine, Magnum, National Geographic, some big clients!!


Cheers, and have fun in NYC! :)


MArk
Quito, EC
 
AFAIK the only C-41 films available in the USA are Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN. Kodak Tri-X is a regular silver-based film, as is Ilford HP5+.
 
peter_n said:
AFAIK the only C-41 films available in the USA are Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN. Kodak Tri-X is a regular silver-based film, as is Ilford HP5+.
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All 4 would be good choices depending on how you want to go regarding processing.
 
At this point in the hobby for me.....convenience is important. So i need something that can be developed in the 1 hr places like Walamart or Walgreens.

My son recently bought some B&W film at a local Ritz camera, shot the roll, and brought it to Walmart for developing. He was told Walmart does not do B&W developing so he brought it to Ritz and they have to send it out somewhere. So, I don't want to be in that kind of situation.
 
Well, this sounds like a job for Ilford XP2 – flexible, scannable, and printable on conventional b/w paper without theatrics, with nice tonal range to boot. It's about as eas as b/w gets, IMO.


- Barrett
 
You can always shoot color film and then remove the color in PS if you scan your images.

Where are you Ken? Maybe someone is close to you and can recommend a lab. Or, this is a good time to start processing your own. It is easy and will open up another avenue in your hobby.
 
Hmmm, who is out there?

MK Photo just left East Hartford, I was depressed when I saw the shop closed, then I ran into them in Glastonbury, that center on the corner of Main and Griswold across from Chili's.

I would bet most places now-a-days send the traditional B&W out now.

Locally I use Photo Connection in Colchester for C41.
 
kennyg said:
At this point in the hobby for me.....convenience is important. So i need something that can be developed in the 1 hr places like Walamart or Walgreens.

My son recently bought some B&W film at a local Ritz camera, shot the roll, and brought it to Walmart for developing. He was told Walmart does not do B&W developing so he brought it to Ritz and they have to send it out somewhere. So, I don't want to be in that kind of situation.
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That's the attraction of C-41 film - it goes in the processing vat with the color film but it is B&W. :)
 
If you're ordering film, try a couple rolls of both Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN.
XP2 is nice but you won't find that at Walmart.
By all means start developing your own B&W, but start with a roll or two shot in your back yard rather than an out of town trip. Iit's not rocket science, but there is a learning curve. Decent results aren't hard.
 
After you develop your own, how do you get prints? Would I need a scanner ? Are these very expensive? Please forgive my lack of knowledge in this area. I am used to just dropping the film off at the 1 hr.
 
Kennyg, Hope you get some good shots in the city. When do you go? I'm going to NYC & Boston in May (from the UK). Still trying to decide what to take but I think this trip I'm going to go.....(whisper this)..digital. got a Nikon D80 a month back and may use that.
 
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