120 film choices

[menthel]

Right, I now have a rolleiflex T (v3) in my grubby hands. I am not sure what to do film wise though. For 35mm I only use acros (dev in rodinal) and HP5+ (dev in whatever comes to hand but likely to be D76 or HC110) now, having tested a few different films. Now, do I go for the same films in 120 or try out some others? The acros I have seen in 120 is beautiful, smooth and sharp and HP5+ looks good too. Cost wise when purchased in bulk they don't work out too badly either.

So, what to do? Stick with the films I have chosen in 35mm or go through all of the films again in 120 and see what I prefer?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I'd stick to what you like. Modern films are identical in the two sizes, so if you like Acros and HP5, there's no reason to try something else unless you have a reason to try something that you have never shot before at all. I personally prefer Tmax 100 to Acros, because Acros has rather flat midtone gradation, but if you like it, keep using it and you should get equal results with it in 120 and 35mm...of course your 120 shots will be more detailed and prints less grainy due to the big negs!

 

[menthel]

I'd stick to what you like. Modern films are identical in the two sizes, so if you like Acros and HP5, there's no reason to try something else unless you have a reason to try something that you have never shot before at all. I personally prefer Tmax 100 to Acros, because Acros has rather flat midtone gradation, but if you like it, keep using it and you should get equal results with it in 120 and 35mm...of course your 120 shots will be more detailed and prints less grainy due to the big negs!

Thanks so much. I tried TMAX (both 100 and 400) in 35mm and didn't really get on with it. You have confirmed what I thought would probably be the answer, stick with what you know and like! 😉

 

[Keith]

How about some Neopan 400 ... oh that's right they axed it!

Ummm .... maybe some TX320? Bugger ... that's gone too! 😀


Congrats on the Rollieflex T by the way. 🙂

 

[menthel]

How about some Neopan 400 ... oh that's right they axed it!

Ummm .... maybe some TX320? Bugger ... that's gone too! 😀


Congrats on the Rollieflex T by the way. 🙂

Thanks! Its a little rough around the edges but the taking lens is clean and the ground glass is in a good state so should perform well. You are right about the changing landscape in 120 film though, makes choosing a little easier though. 😉

 

[thegman]

I'd try a few things, I mean, it's the cost of a roll of film. If you want to get a retro look, the Rollei films are good. If you want to try some colour, the new Portra 400 I think is outstanding.

I like the Rollei stuff, it's very gritty/dark, gives and interesting look.

 

[menthel]

I'd try a few things, I mean, it's the cost of a roll of film. If you want to get a retro look, the Rollei films are good. If you want to try some colour, the new Portra 400 I think is outstanding.

I like the Rollei stuff, it's very gritty/dark, gives and interesting look.

Thanks- not too keen on the full 'retro' look, hence the acros and HP5+ in 35mm. I gave up colour a while ago in 35mm as scanning and white balances were a pain and processing bills added up. also, quite frankly digital colour results are perfectly good too.

Mind you I do have an urge to shoot at least 1 roll of 120 slide just for the negative size and how they look!

 

[D.O'K.]

I'd second the advice to stick with what you like.

Otherwise, I'd recommend FP4--for years I used little else in a Rollei T and it gave great results with that particular tessar lens: sharp without being harsh, and with lovely smooth tonality (but not the "full retro look" you wish to avoid).

That film and camera combination also have a nice historical neatness (if it's relevant!) as they come from broadly the same era.

Regards,
D.

 

[Steve M.]

Just load some Tr-X in it and worry no more. Beautiful, smooth tones in 120 format.

 

[menthel]

Well I went shopping and came back with 10 rolls of acros, 10 of HP5+, a 1l bottle, a bottle of HC-110 and a pouch of R09. More than I planned to buy!

Thanks all for your input- more advice for future purchases is always welcome! 😉

 

[rpsawin]

You might want to look at the Ilford Delta emulsions, 100, 400 & 3200, keeping in mind that they are "modern" films similar to TMax films and would best be processed in one of the developers recommended by Ilford.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[adietrich]

Film: I second the Ilford recommendation. I am getting nice results with the 100Delta and stand development. For a completely different look, consider the Efke 25, developed at dr5.
CLA: Harry Flenor (http://www.rolleirepairs.com/), and do yourself a favor and get the Maxwell ground glass.

 

[Lovesong]

Mind you I do have an urge to shoot at least 1 roll of 120 slide just for the negative size and how they look!

That's a slippery slope to say the least. Once you see a 120 Chrome on a light table, you'll be buying up the last few rolls of E100VS 😉

 

[HHPhoto]

That's a slippery slope to say the least. Once you see a 120 Chrome on a light table, you'll be buying up the last few rolls of E100VS 😉

+1.
Slides in 120 are absolutely breathtaking!
Provia 400X is my most used film in my TLR.

I recommend the Schneider 4x loupe and a daylight lighttable for watching (and when you are hooked of course a medium format projector 😉)

And try some BW slides, too. You are in London, the German BW slide labs will do it for you. They do international business:

www.photostudio13.de
www.schwarzweiss-dia.de

Suitable films in 120 are Agfa Copex Rapid, Rollei Retro 80S, Rollei Superpan 200 and Rollei Retro 400S.

The other BW slide labs Phototechnik Berlin, Bildmanufaktur München and Schloms&Schmitz probably send to the UK as well.

Wish you lots of fun with your Flex!
Cheers, Jan

 

[peter_n]

For those in the US also interested in Acros 120, Adorama is selling it at $2.69/roll, and it's in stock.