Grain for neg film

[JoeMac]

I am interested in how the new 400asa neg film compares with the older 100asa and 64asa film. I would like to enlarge pictures up to 16x20 and was interested if that could be done, with good results, with the newer 400 speed film.

Also in b&w 400 speed, how big can you enlarge and have q good print.

Thanks🙂

 

[phototone]

I have easily gone beyond 16x20 with 35mm size 400 ISO film, but you will see grain. Some types of photos are just fine with visible grain, some are not. It is your call as to whether the visibility of grain enhances or detracts from your image. Personally, for the types of photography I do with ISO 400 film in 35mm, I have no problem with the grain being visible in huge prints.

 

[rich815]

Obviously a very personal choice as to how much grain you find acceptable. If you're talking color neg there is no doubt that, generally speaking in terms of grain, the newer emulsions like 400UC and the like are as good and sometimes better than older color emulsions like Gold 100 (which I love but it is a tad grainy). Some say today's 400 speed films are the equivalent in grain to yesteryear's 100 speed films.

In terms of B&W there is simply too much subjective influence in regards to exposure, development technique and again, personal like or dislike of grain, to simply say which is better or worse or what is the potential for big prints.

If I wanted to I can develop Tri-X in a way that will look less grainy than Delta 100 depending on the character I want to bring out in each film and the grain I want using differing developers, dilutions, agitation techniques, etc. Oftentimes your technique and equipment will dictate your ability to print big when it comes to sharpness, your lenses, if you used a tripod, etc.

 

[rich815]

I should also add: films with less grain tend to have less apparent sharpness. Yes, they will look less grainy close up but one printed using say APX25 and one with FP4+, close up of course the APX25 will look smoother and less grainy but when viewed from a few feet away, often will have the FP4+ print looking sharper with more accutance and apparent sharpness. So the subject, and again, what you are after in your final look, will dictate which film to use.