Filter recommendation for 400 B&W film

[Ross D]

I'd be grateful for advice as to what filters members are using with B&W film and for what conditions.

I've just purchased a bulk roll of 35mm Ilford HP5+ 400 B&W film I'll be shooting through my Nikon SLR and mainly my 50mm 1.4 lens. Years ago when I shot a little bit of B&W film I'd use just a red filter out in daylight.

I've seen there are many different options and different colors. Yellow, orange, red, and even combinations of different colors.

Do you guys and gals have any go to filters?

I appreciate any advice and knowledge.

Thanks
Ross,

 

[Paulbe]

Ross--I use a light yellow filter for almost all of my B+W pix. Seems to work very well in producing an increase in contrast. Good luck! I'm sure there will be more excellent advice from the RFFers...
Paul

 

[Darthfeeble]

The classic trio is red, yellow and green. Also a haze filter and probably a polarizer.

 

[Godfrey]

I use a deep yellow or orange filter in daylight most of the time (I like the stark skin tones), a deep green filter in daylight when shooting foliage, and no filter under tungsten light.

G

 

[robert blu]

As general purpose a yellow or light orange is ok for most of cases. I like to keep it as simple as possible. For landscapes if you like a drama effect go for a red one!
robert

 

[Jockos]

I've been playing around with deep red and orange this summer. Here's some with HP5+ and FP4+

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showcollection.php?cid=10436

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have no luck with color bw filters on modern lenses and with modern b&w film. I'm using them as ND filters 🙂 Yellow for x2 and green, orange for x4.

 

[Ross D]

Thank you all for the info.

Jockos, those are some great images, I recall viewing those in another thread.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Viewing through colored filters for BW with an SLR is at minimum an acquired taste.
I reserve such filters for my non-SLR cameras, and use my SLRs for color photography.

Chris