Contrasty BW film

[Nachkebia]

Hello!
So I am a brand new in rangefinder cameras, I have only shot 1 film in my zeiss ikon, My question is about black and white film, I have tried Ilford films (delta,HP5) and I find them having alot of mid tones 🙂 I am searching for high contrast film, the once that look like images from magnumphotography 🙂 the once who look like cartier bressons pictures 🙂 or maybe I am missing something 🙂
Thank you!

 

[Ash]

It depends how you develop it. Overexpose it by a stop (or shutter speed) and push the developer. If you're processing yourself, and the time for development is 3 minutes for example, do it for 3 1/2 or 4. Or even higher concentration developer or more (but not too much) agitation.

That's way I've done it to get higher contrast with any film.

If you're sending it off to be developed by a lab, ask them to PUSH PROCESS by however many stops to overdevelop and kill the midtones

 

[ray_g]

A lot of it has to do with developing and printing, too. HCB is said to prefer his photos printed with LESS contrast. Personally, I prefer less contrast as well, as you can easily increase contrast with postprocessing, but pulling detail out of the shadows and highlights is not as easy or as successful.

If you want to, give Ilford XP2 super a try. I have gotten contrasty results from it. Shoot it at 200 to 320 EI.

 

[kaiyen]

overexposure would _decrease_ contrast (at least in the shadows). subsequent overdevelopment would just blow out your highlights.

overall contrast will go up with underexposure and overdevelopment. so rate hp5 at 560 or 640 (unless you want total black at 800) and develop for 20% longer. See how that goes.

allan

 

[Ash]

Oops, my mistake 😀

 

[rogue_designer]

Or you could shoot and process the film normally - preserving highlight and shadow detail, and control the contrast in printing - either darkroom or digital.

All depends on your goals and vision. I have a hard time personally with throwing out possible image information from the get go, if I don't have to.

 

[peter_n]

Vladimer I have gotten contrasty results out of Neopan 400 rated at 320ASA and processed by labs using Kodak XTOL developer. The suggestion to try a chromogenic film like Ilford XP2 or Kodak BW400CN is a good one also.

I liked many of the pictures at your link - you have a good eye! 🙂

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Fuji Neopan 400 has higher contrast than other 400 black and white films that I've tried (Tri X, 400CN) using standard processes. But, like others above have said, if you want contrast there are several ways to get it aside from film choice.

 

[kmack]

I'm with Rogue_Designer on this one. Expose and process for the maximum information in your negative. Modify for contrast at the print stage.

 

[blakley]

The Ilford Delta films are pretty contrasty, which I like. The advice you've already gotten about XP2 Super is also good.

 

[Nachkebia]

Thank you everybody for your help!

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Wise man say “Student of photography make straight neg in camera with maximum detail and play with neg in dark room. Play with neg in camera you b******d in dark room!” so he say!😀

B.

 

[morgan]

Hello!
So I am a brand new in rangefinder cameras, I have only shot 1 film in my zeiss ikon, My question is about black and white film, I have tried Ilford films (delta,HP5) and I find them having alot of mid tones 🙂 I am searching for high contrast film, the once that look like images from magnumphotography 🙂 the once who look like cartier bressons pictures 🙂 or maybe I am missing something 🙂
Thank you!

So how do you find the rangefinder vs slr experience?

BTW, the shots on your site are great...

 

[Nachkebia]

Thank you morgan, My experience is still none, since I have been working day and night (even on the weekend) so I could not finish one roll, shooting and focusing and whole thing is amazing, I am loving thing thing 🙂

 

[palabras]

I agree with those who prefer to keep in the negative the maximum informatio possible: later is possible to lose some.

By the way: i took a look at the shots in your photo.net gallery: beautiful colors!!! Which kind of film you use? slides?

Thanks!

 

[Nachkebia]

Thank you, Yes on most of them I have used slides, provia with velvia.

I agree with those who prefer to keep in the negative the maximum informatio possible: later is possible to lose some.

By the way: i took a look at the shots in your photo.net gallery: beautiful colors!!! Which kind of film you use? slides?

Thanks!

 

[palabras]

you're really great! go on this way!

 

[Nachkebia]

😱 🙄

 

[fraley]

Nachkebia,

Another option is to use a yellow filter. You can leave a 1.5x light yellow filter on all the time -- except maybe take it off in harsh bright sunlight. It will increase the contrast. Just a suggestion for something else to try..

 

[Aurelius]

Buy, try the Rollei R3. Push it to 1600 = very very high contrasts!
I prefer to shoot it at 400.

The R3 is now my favourite B&W film!