Film suggestions, BW and Color for noob

[QuillianSW]

Do those c41 black and white films lean towards clean pics or the grainy "old" look?

Kat, excellent question. I've used the C41 process B&W films myself on occasions where I was traveling and only had access to minilabs - it's major advantage over traditonal b&w. However...wouldn't have thunk it, but in this month's Kodak ProPass (online magazine) they do a feature on a British wedding photographer named Jeff Ascough, who's unique style is apparently becoming fashionable. He shoots with a Leica M6, almost exclusively with available light, and uses Kodak's BW400CN. His web site is www.jeffascough.com, and you can naviage through the Kodak site to Pro Photographer/Lab/Photographers, or find the link for the ProPass magaine. You'll have to register (free) and get a user name and pw.
The short answer is "clean" - compared to Pan and Tmax. Here's one of Mr. Ascough's photos using BW400CN.
Cheers,
Stone

 

[StuartR]

The C41 films have a very clean look. They have the finest grain to ISO ratio, so if you want to shoot in dark areas with minimal grain, they are great. I took this shot in Reykjavik just after midnight on BW400CN (of course, it is just after sunset at midnight there, but it was still fairly dark and I was using a Rollei 35 which is a slow lens).

Here is another example of a C41 BW film, again, from Iceland:

 

[peter_n]

Great pics from the trip, Stuart! 🙂

Jeff Ascough must have sold himself to Kodak. He used to use Neopan 400CN exclusively AFAIK. To be honest I think he is just one of those photogs that could use any film and everything would look wonderful. He is a great judge of positioning himself with respect to the available light source and his subject. A master.

 

[Poptart]

Buy whatever is on sale. The image matters more than the film. Take better pictures.

 

[StuartR]

Buy whatever is on sale. The image matters more than the film. Take better pictures.

I would actually disagree with this. I think the choice of film is an integral part of the image and an artistic choice. Of course, you should still take the picture even if you don't have the perfect film, but film choice is a very real consideration. Well, for me anyway.

Peter -- thanks for the compliments. I loved Iceland and after my time there I am actually considering moving there!

 

[DougK]

Well, gee, this is always a tough question and there isn't really a "right answer," just perdsonal preferences. It's going to take a fair amount of experimentation to find films you can consistently get your desired results with. I've found that some of my cameras like certain films better than others. I will say that overall I try to use low ISO films that give me a smooth, sharp look; I'm not a big fan of grainy films.

In color film I usually use Kodak Portra 160NC or Fuji NPH 400 in print film (nice naturally rendered colors) or Kodak Elite Chrome 100 or 200 in slide film (rich colors but not overly saturated).

In black and white, I'll generally shoot whatever the camera store I'm at happens to carry or is on sale when I need film. Right now, what's available is usually either Kodak TMax 100 or 400CN. I've had good results with the various Ilford films as well, both traditional and C41 process. I'm sure I'll develop a stronger preference as I become more comfortable shooting in black and white.

 

[Poptart]

I would actually disagree with this. I think the choice of film is an integral part of the image and an artistic choice.

Most people get hung up on technicalities and fail to see that a photo that stays with us, that resonates long after we first see it, is not a technical expression but an emotional one. A mechanical photo may convey little of the atmosphere of the original scene, yet still get raves for its "quality." A photo is good if it is effective--not closer to some imaginary standard of a photographic ideal.

 

[QuillianSW]

I would actually disagree with this. I think the choice of film is an integral part of the image and an artistic choice.

Quite true. So again, to asnwer Kat's question, if I was out to do something and give it a "1930's feel" I probably wouldn't pick the 400CN. I have done some shots in Africa using it though and it gave me a similar feel to the Iceland shots; which I liked.

 

[Kat]

Thanks, Stone. The link is great, the wedding pics are amazing!

Stuart, those are beautiful shots, I appreciate the cleanliness of the film. I suppose when it comes to grain, it depends on the shot and occasion. Seems I can't get out out of using the traditional type B&W, though, I'd like to try out the "old look" one of these days. It's tough getting access to those types of film in my area, much more the labs that develop them (darkroom out of the question for me).

 

[Richard Black]

Kat,
There are several traditional b&w labs you can mail your film to. I have used two and have been very pleased and the cost is only a little more that c 41 in some areas. I only get the contact sheet and the development but then scan the negative I want and make a CD which I take to a mini lab that has a digital machine and then get them printed, cropping and all the way I want them. Usually $.29 or less.

 

[peter_n]

{snip} I loved Iceland and after my time there I am actually considering moving there!

Wow - now that would be a radical move... 😱

 

[Kat]

Richard, that's pretty cheap! I'm located too far, in the Philippines. There are a few labs that do processing, but the ones I know of are not exactly good areas, so it's a big bother (and some risk) to have to go there then return to pick it up. Mailing sounds like an interesting option, I have to check if that's possible. Otherwise, I'll have to ask around if there are other labs in safer areas.
Thanks!

 

[Poptart]

O well, I tried.

 

[MacDaddy]

Richard:
Would you mind sharing the information on those labs? Us "noobs" haven't made the connections yet, so we'd appreciate information sharing from you veterans, plase!
Rob "MacDaddy" White
P.S. Pardon this TERRIBLE pun, but I guess we're having a "Black and White" conversation! Sorry! Couldn't resist! ;o)

 

[Richard Black]

🙄 I like puns and try to capture them in film. I have one foto of the Ronal Reagan Hwy in Ill. that shows only right turns, no left turns allowed! The labs I have experience with is the San Miquel Photo Lab, www.bestlab.com and Images, www.mylab.com. I have been pleased with their service. The last one, Images, has the option of you selecting the developer or they will do it for you considering the film.

 

[MacDaddy]

Thanks for the tremendous feedback folks!

Thanks for the tremendous feedback folks!

Richard:
Especially thank you for your willingness to share the labs info! And for the rest....WHEW! Thanks for giving me not only information but those awesome inspiration photos to illustrate the film types! WOW!
Rob "MacDaddy" White

 

[gbb]

I was just reading this old thread, and just wanted to tell Kat that all you need for developing b&w film is a bathroom, a daylight tank (I use pattersons) and some chemicals. When I first started doing my own bw stuff, that's all I had (plus a community darkroom accross the street), and it worked fine. You can even do your own contact sheets by adding some 8x10 trays and one more chemical for paper development. Trust me, it's not that difficult and it will enhance boh the quality of your photos and your enjoyment of the whole process tremendously! And the quality of your bw stuff is bound to be better than what you'd get from a regular lab. It's also much cheaper, which means you shoot more, especially if you buy bulk film. Feel free to get in touch w me if you're interested in more details.

GBB

 

[Kat]

GBB, thanks for the advice. I've been reading up a little on darkroom and equipment, I'm not quite ready to take the big step yet. I'm still trying B&W film for the first time (in my life!), I'll see first how it goes and whether I really want to stick with it, and whether I can live with the C41. Once I have an idea how much I'll be using traditional B&W, then I can weigh the benefits of bulk loading and doing my own developing. If I do like it, I suspect a "darkroom" would be a possibility in the not so distant future, I'll be sure to bug you for some tips, LOL!🙂