BW400CN any suggestions on using it?

[RichL]

I just picked some up today for the first time and am hunting for general information. Does anybody using it find it is best to rate it higher or lower than 400? Good latitude? Any situations to stay away from?

Thanks
Rich L

 

[Tim Gray]

It looks alright at 400 if you are on in your exposure. It's worth shooting it at 200 or 250 if you have extra light. Dark tones and underexposed things can get pretty grainy. It looks particularly good I think on anything that has smooth tonal gradients, like metal.

 

[kkdanamatt]

Better to be generous with your exposures....don't underexpose unless you like grain.

I shot 15 rolls in Tuscany during the early Autumn using the 15mm Heliar on the Bessa L. Very sweet and discreet combo.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

It works best shot at 200, as Tim says.

35mm version at EI-200

The now-discontinued 120 size, also at EI-200

 

[RichL]

Thanks for the input folks. Light's not a problem so I'll do a couple rated high a couple at 400 and the rest at 200.

 

[Chris101]

It's got loads of latitude. Use it within 2 stops of box speed and scan accordingly. Don't try to print it with an enlarger though unless you have some extra magenta filters to counteract the orange.

 

[thegman]

I've shot it at 400, in bright light, and found it very contrasty, I like that look, so would likely use again at 400.

 

[Stravinsky]

I've shot it at 400, in bright light, and found it very contrasty, I like that look, so would likely use again at 400.

+1!


A Perfect Day for Bananafish by Str@vinsky, on Flickr

 

[David_Manning]

Here's another vote for shooting BW400CN at ISO 200...

 

[ellisson]

I need a break from chemicals for while, so have some BW400CN coming next week. I'll start at EI 200 first and see how that works.

 

[biomed]

BW400CN is one of my two favorite films, the other being XP2. I get good results with both films at ISO 200 to 400. Both of these films scan very well (I use a Nikon 4000ED). Have fun!

 

[paulfish4570]

i shoot at box speed, tending to expose for highlights, and letting the deepest shadows go velvety black if they like.
shoot it with a contrasty lens like the cv 35/2.5 color skopar, you get some serious contrast ...

 

[antonandreas]

Holy crap! I did not know it was discontinued in 120 :'(

I have only used it at box speed, but I think the film is great:

Figment by antonandreas, on Flickr

Window Lighting 1 by antonandreas, on Flickr

 

[paulfish4570]

nikkor 50/1.8:

 

[paulfish4570]

cv 35/2.5 color skopar:

 

[paulfish4570]

cv 35/2.5 color skopar:

 

[Pirate]

I found 6 rolls in 120 at a local shop. They are going into the deep freeze until I find something worth shooting with it. Great film.

 

[KoNickon]

Great film. And I wish it were still available in 120. I've always used it at 400 with excellent results, but a stop of overexposure will be fine.