Agfa APX 100 & 400

snowblink

Member
Local time
1:39 PM
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
28
Hi,

I was in a camera shop today and noticed that they had a box full of Agfa APX 100 & 400.
Selling each at £2.99 or 10 for £25.

Is it worth acquiring some?
How does it compare with Ilford HP5 or FP4?

Thanks.
Jon
 
A lot of my gallery is APX400s (the thinner based security-film version, only available in out-of-date bulk). Check my gallery or my latest blog, as a lot of shots are using the film. It's taken a few rolls to tweak it to produce nice results.

EDIT: I've no experience with Agfa-100. Apparently it's a LOT nicer than 400. I'd buy Ilford any day though. I'm using Agfa because the bulk rolls were so cheap!!
 
Agfa APX 400 is really nice pulled to 200 in Rodinal. But I have found it gives a pretty good 400 in Microphen. APX 100 is a nice film but IMO not as good as FP4+.
That said, I use both APX 100 and 400 quite lot because they are significantly cheaper (about half the price) of comparable offerings from Ilford, Fuji and Kodak.

Peter
 
APX100 is a wonderful film if you ask me. I usually shoot at ISO100 and then drop it into Rodinal 1:50 for 15-17 minutes. Works like a charm for portraits!

It's not as finegrained as Delta/TMax/Acros but I like the structure and shape of the grain more than modern T-type films. I've mostly used APX in medium format but I've got 50 rolls 135-36 in the fridge. My supply of 120-film is almost out though, got to find some more... (Probably aiming for Rollei Retro 100, the same film).

Haven't tried APX400 but was thinking of buying some of those outdated bulk rolls, I've found them at £4-5 GBP so it might be worth a shot. It's ages since I shot FP4/HP5 last time so I can't compare. That said, I got half a roll of HP5+ in the camera right now but it'll be a long time before I can finish it/develop it... =(
 
Last edited:
I use both APX100 and APX400 regularly, and both are real favourites. The 400 is great either at 400 in HC-100 or rated at 200 and souped in Rodinal 1+100 for 16 minutes.

As others have said though, it's the 100 that's truly special - really sharp with beautiful, almost vintage tones and wonderful latitude. I live in dread of the day when supplies finally dry up.
 
I really like APX100. It's my favourite film beside with Pan-F. It's all subjective... so, you'd better trying it. 25 GBP for 10 135/36 rolls sounds like a fair price. I usually buy bulk, it's cheaper.

Eduard.
 
Back
Top Bottom