Favorite Film/Lens Combinations

[bayernfan]

Lately I've been trying some new B&W film stocks and noticed that certain films really bring out the nuances of certain lenses (and vice versa).

So it got me thinking: what are my favorite film/lens combinations?

My current favorites are:

1: HP5 pushed to 1600 (DDX) shot through the V1 50mm Summicron-M. (very classic looking, the low contrast lens tames the push)

2: Fomapan 200 (HC110) + Elmar-LTM 35/3.5 (super vintage looking combo)

3: TMAX 400 (HC110) + V2 35mm Summicron-M (the resolution of the lens really comes through with this film, i particularly like using this in dim light)

Share your three favorite combinations and feel free to post a sample photo!

 

[charjohncarter]

OK, I'll put in TMAX100 at 50, HC-110h 17minutes, 30 seconds initial agitation, then 3 inversions at 15 minutes, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes, 68 degrees F.

Then use a BessaR with a Elmar-LTM 50mm F3.5.

As Macawber said in David Copperfield, "Bliss."

Or Ilford SFX at 32 with a red filter (metered outside), in a Rolleiflex T, F3.5 Tessar.

And TMAX 400 at 200, in a Pentax Spotmatic with a 28mm F 3.5 Super Takumar.

 

[sepiareverb]

Elmar-M 50 with a b+w 022 filter, HP5+ at 800 in Hc-110b. Punchy and a little gritty.

 

[bayernfan]

OK, I'll put in TMAX100 at 50, HC-110h 17minutes, 30 seconds initial agitation, then 3 inversions at 15 minutes, 10 minutes, and 5 minutes, 68 degrees F.

Then use a BessaR with a Elmar-LTM 50mm F3.5.

This intrigues me as I've always found TMAX 100 to be a bit too contrasty and punchy, otherwise velvety and nice. I'll try your method the next time ASA 50 makes sense.

 

[bayernfan]

Elmar-M 50 with a b+w 022 filter, HP5+ at 800 in Hc-110b. Punchy and a little gritty.

You can't go wrong with HP5+ at 400 or 800 in HC-110. The grain becomes problematic for me at 1600, and that's where I switch to DD-X. I've come to appreciate the simpler Elmar designs as well, they have a very classic signature.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is lens, film and paper for me. To me Summarit-M 35 2.5, HP5+ and singe grade FB paper (AGFA Brovira IV) does it.

But basically, if negative is exposed right, developed correctly and successfully printed the film is next to doesn't matter. Especially on the lith print 🙂 Scan is different story...

 

[charjohncarter]

This intrigues me as I've always found TMAX 100 to be a bit too contrasty and punchy, otherwise velvety and nice. I'll try your method the next time ASA 50 makes sense.

Tmax 100 HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr