Dual-use neg (silver and scan) - Neopan advantages over HP5/Tri-X

[celluloidprop]

I'm trying to pick a primary film for home-developing (with Clayton F76, HC110 B or H, or another liquid developer - that testing will come next), scanning for now/inkjet output, but good for traditional silver printing down the road.

HP5 and Tri-X were my preferred films when I had regular darkroom access, never cared for the TMax or Delta films so much. I've read that Neopan gives a look close to those films (but finer-grained) and the corresponding latitude and ease of development - but I'm thinking that it's newer tech style might make for a better scanning film. Is that logical/does it actually happen that way in the real world?

I ask first, as I'll have to mail-order any Neopan I get, the local store only stocks Ilford and Kodak. XP2 would be a good compromise, but it's a bit costly and I'd like to be able to develop my own and not pay $3/roll for processing.

 

[kaiyen]

Well, just about any film will come out great for both if you make the right adjustments in your technique. For instance, you'll want lower contrast negs for scanning, which would mean you'd need a higher contrast filter if you're using a diffiusion enlarger.

I have not used Neopan 400 myself, so cant' comment on that. I don't see why you can't keep using TXT or HP5, though.

allan

 

[peter_n]

I use NP400 and for me it scans much better than HP5, the problems with HP5 could well have been in the development though. It looked so much grainier than the Neopan I stppped using it. Have not tried Tri-X but I like Neopan a lot.

 

[sunsworth]

I've developed and scanned hindreds of rolls of Tri-X developed in Xtol (diluted 1:3). Give some Tri-X a go, it's far finer grained that many people give it credit for.

Steve

 

[Mike Kovacs]

The Neopan Acros 100 in HC-110 certainly scans better than any other film I have used in my experience.

Apologies - Rolleiflex 2.8E, but I think its a good scan - Epson 3200 flatbed.

 

[wintoid]

I've shot more TriX and HP5 than Neopan 400. My usual developers are DDX or Rodinal. Prior to today, I would not have recommended Neopan 400 over the other two. However, I read somewhere about Neopan 400 at ISO640 with Acutol, and because Jessops had some Acutol in stock, I decided to try it. Here are a couple of scans of this combination. I really really like this tonality etc, and I might actually start using it some more now...