Favorite Wintertime B&W Film

[gb hill]

In these parts during the winter the sun takes a quick nose dive around 5PM. This afternoon I went for a walk with the Bessa R, 50/1.5 lens, & a roll of Plus X I wanted to finish off. I got the roll finished before the sun disappeared so this got me thinking about what films I like when the light drastically changes. Now I'm thinking of loading up a roll of Neopan 1600. So I ask, What is your favorite b&w film in similar situations?

 

[AFenvy]

For all kinds of lighting situations? Unquestionably Tri-X 400. It is the one black and white film that I trust to get the look I want in any light.

 

[BobYIL]

HP5+... all seasons... Normally ISO 250-320 by pulling a little for silvery long gradations.. for low light situations can be pushed up to ISO1600 even in the D76...

 

[jammcat]

Neopan 400.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Neopan 1600. Great film, especially in a camera with a decently high top shutter speed.

 

[randomm]

HP5+ or Tri-X, but given that buying Kodak film here in Finland is getting more and more difficult, the answer is really HP5+.

We no longer have an official Kodak importer here. For example, getting Double-X here is easiest importing it yourself from the US - silly if you ask me. No wonder people are moving to shooting other manufacturers' films - including me.

 

[gb hill]

I'm thinking any film 400asa & above would be a better choice for wintertime shooting. I wanted to take a photo of my wife the other day while we were in Sam's Club & with Plus X (125) & the aperture wide open at 2.5 (I was using CV35/2.5) I had to set the speed on 1/30th of a sec. With a 400 film I would have easily got the shot.

As much as I like PX125 I think my remaining rolls will have to wait until spring & summer. I have been wanting to do what Chris Crawford has suggested, shoot Neopan 1600 @ 640 ISO. He's gotten some great results from this.