cheap b&w 24 exp source?

[meeker]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get started in developing my own film, and so got a used tank, thermometer, etc. from craigslist. I also picked up some D76 developer and Kodak fixer. Now, I thought I need to pick up some cheap b&w film to experiment with. Any suggestions. I usually shoot Neopan 400 or Tri-X, but hopefully I can get something in a 24 or less exposure for less than $2/roll - that way screw-ups are no big deal, and I can shoot a roll and develop it quickly.

So far I've found http://ultrafineonline.com/agapx400fi35.html and Arista II or Arista EDU.

Are there any pros or cons to the above choices and are there other deals I should consider?

cheers

 

[Thardy]

I've used the Arista before. It was ok at the time. You do mean Arista from Freestyle?

I believe it was Ilford, but it may not be now.

 

[clintock]

also from ultrafine-
http://ultrafineonline.com/stst40roagap.html
Those are 24 exposure rolls.. I got some already from them.

 

[meeker]

Thardy: I think one kind of the Arista is Fomopan, so it might not be Ilford anymore.

Clintock: How's the Agfa APX? - closer to neopan than tri-x?

 

[clintock]

The agfa 100 is a standard in it's own right, distinct from both neopan and tri-x..
In my simple mind I think of the apx as what tri-x would be like if tri-x were 100 speed.. finer grained?
I bought it to use with the big ol' bottle of rodinal I have, never tried it in D-76

 

[Bob Michaels]

Neopan 400 is still $2.99 for a fresh 36 exp. roll from B&H. It doesn't make economic sense to learn how to develop an emulsion different from the one you're going really use later on.

You don't HAVE to shoot all the frames on a roll before you develop it.

 

[Bryce]

I'll add-
(quote) You don't HAVE to shoot all the frames on a roll before you develop it.
You can shoot say, half the roll, then open the camera back in the darkroom without rewinding. Use a pair of scissors to cut the film; the part of the roll still in the canister can be used later after you cut a new leader on it, and the part wound into the takeup spool gets developed.
So 36 exp. rolls are really two 17 exposure rolls this way...
I guess I'm a pretty cheap guy- or maybe just a slow shooter.

 

[Tim Gray]

Honestly, I don't think I'm special or anything, but my first roll came out fine. So did the next one. In fact, the only roll I really screwed up was two rolls ago - and now I mix up photoflo fresh. And washing that roll fixed it for the most part. It's not that hard. Pick a film and go with it.

 

[drewbarb]

A bulk loader can be had very cheaply. Used cassettes, you can get for free in many 1-hour labs. A 100 foot roll of any of a dozen different fine emulsions will cost you less than $50 USD. A roll of tape, a pair of scissors, and you're in business. You'll get about 25 24 exposure rolls out of that. It takes a few minutes- but if you can process your own, you can roll your own.