Turtle
Veteran
I know this topic has been discussed before, but thought I would raise it again. This combination is really quite remarkable. I find I get finer grain than with DDX and the same speed (identical) by using Xtol 1+2. The grain is very nice and crisp, the tonal scale very good, but there is noticeably more apparent fine detail than with DDX.
I urge anyone wishing to find a combo one true stop faster than the usual 400 films to try this combo. Rate the Neopan 1600 at a stop faster than you would TriX or Neopan 400 in comparable light and go from there. I rate the Neopan at 500 in contrasty light and 640 when flat (in a Leica M).
My dev times will be longer than most as I use a very low contrast 10x8 head for wet printing (I use 10 mins 19 degs at 640 in average light). I am really blown away by the images. Lots of sparkle, comparable grain to TriX and I would argue even finer than HP5+ or at least more uniform/tighter, a stop more speed, very flexible int eh dev in terms of under/over. The grain is FAR finer than D3200 (in any dev) and really is more along 'traditional 400' lines (Neopan 400 is obviously finer) . No substitute for D3200 when the fastest speed is required, but if you can make it work at 640 you are sorted. The great thing is that when you step out into the outside, perhaps after shooting inside dingy rooms, you do not have to urgently switch to a slower film like you do with 3200. You can shoot as you would a 400 film and pay a noticeably but not too painful grain penalty.
Most people when complain about this film rate it too fast. Within its limits, its really peerless. TriX grain but one more stop for free. I would also warrant, that done right I (and thats not hard) a lot of people would love the look too. Looks like old TriX perhaps.
I urge anyone wishing to find a combo one true stop faster than the usual 400 films to try this combo. Rate the Neopan 1600 at a stop faster than you would TriX or Neopan 400 in comparable light and go from there. I rate the Neopan at 500 in contrasty light and 640 when flat (in a Leica M).
My dev times will be longer than most as I use a very low contrast 10x8 head for wet printing (I use 10 mins 19 degs at 640 in average light). I am really blown away by the images. Lots of sparkle, comparable grain to TriX and I would argue even finer than HP5+ or at least more uniform/tighter, a stop more speed, very flexible int eh dev in terms of under/over. The grain is FAR finer than D3200 (in any dev) and really is more along 'traditional 400' lines (Neopan 400 is obviously finer) . No substitute for D3200 when the fastest speed is required, but if you can make it work at 640 you are sorted. The great thing is that when you step out into the outside, perhaps after shooting inside dingy rooms, you do not have to urgently switch to a slower film like you do with 3200. You can shoot as you would a 400 film and pay a noticeably but not too painful grain penalty.
Most people when complain about this film rate it too fast. Within its limits, its really peerless. TriX grain but one more stop for free. I would also warrant, that done right I (and thats not hard) a lot of people would love the look too. Looks like old TriX perhaps.
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