Film for 3 days in NYC

[shootar401]

It's stupid that I live an hour away from NYC and only go there to get stuff from B&H. But I have a job interview there next week and I thought I'd take my girlfriend with me and have a 3 day mini vacation.

I decided to take my Yashica 124 and Argus C3 with me as my primary cameras and doing some street photography. I'm thinking of loading the Argus with Ektar 100 and the TLR with either Acros 100 or HP5 depending on the conditions. My question is if this is a good choice for film or should I look at different emulsions? Whats a good ASA to shoot at if it's not recommended to use box speed? I'm thinking 3 rolls of Ektar and 5 each of Acros and HP5 in 120, should I get more?

I'm also taking my AGFA 5x7 with some Provia and Delta 100 for some cityscapes I'm taking from Brooklyn and on the roof my of friends apartment what literally overlooks the city, should be some great LF shooting.

 

[Kirbot]

Last time I was in the city, I took one camera and one type of film, Tri X

If you want color, I really couldn't suggest Ektar. I know some people manage to get good skin tones out of it, but I've never been too impressed by my own results. Maybe some Gold 200, or even Provia.


As for how much, that's entirely up to how much shooting you do!
I tend to really hold back, and make a roll last. I think I shot a little over one full roll of 35mm in the day I was there.

 

[Kirbot]

I also highly suggest hopping on the subway and head into Queens to flushing meadows park, the home of the 1939 and 1965 New York world's fair.

The Unisphere is truly a sight to behold. It's 5 times the size it looks in pictures.

 

[shootar401]

Well if I had to bring one camera it would be the TLR with HP5. The idea I had for the 35mm was just to get some colour shots and not worry about rationing film like I would have to do with the 120.

I have a few rolls of Portra 400 in 35mm left over from a nude shoot I did a few weeks ago, I prob. won't use it anytime soon so I'll bring that instead of the Ektar since I know how Portra shoots.

 

[Kirbot]

Well if I had to bring one camera it would be the TLR with HP5. The idea I had for the 35mm was just to get some colour shots and not worry about rationing film like I would have to do with the 120.

I have a few rolls of Portra 400 in 35mm left over from a nude shoot I did a few weeks ago, I prob. won't use it anytime soon so I'll bring that instead of the Ektar since I know how Portra shoots.

By all means, bring a few cameras! I just didn't want to have to carry too much all day! Of course.... I ended up with a HEAVY backpack full of print developer, D76, stop bath, film and a bunch of other crap from B&H anyway.😀
I love NYC, and I'm about 2.5 hours from the city if I take the train. I really should get there more often.

And portra sounds like a great choice! I've only shot a few rolls of it, but it seems much more predictable than Ektar to me.

 

[Gareth Rees]

Good luck with the interview!

 

[furbs]

For street photography I like to push 400 speed film to 800 or 1600 to keep my shutter speeds high. For color, Portra would be a good bet - Ektar needs specific light to shoot people in my experience and at 100 speed is often too slow to shoot fast-moving subjects on the street.