Is developing B&W negative into positive a good way?

[stiff68]

I happened to see a documentary on net which introduces Michael Von Graffenreid, a famous Pano shooter.
In the film. I saw Michael used Kodak 400 TMY B&W film, which should be a negative one. But in the film, Michael's negative apparently to be positive.
I wondered, if it is a special treatment in this documentary, or it's a special tech researched by Michael himself in order to check his shooting?

I know there are ways to develop B&W negative film to positive slide. But is it a good way?

The link of the documentary of Michael is as flws:
http://www.mvgphoto.com/PhotoSuisse/PhotoSuisse_en.html

 

[doitashimash1te]

I have heard of the dr5 process but I have no experience with it.

 

[rxmd]

It's difficult to say in general whether it's good or not. This really depends on the film. In general, it depends on whether the film's carrier material is tinted or not. If it's reasonably clear, you get clear slides; if it's gray or blue, you get gray or blue slides. In itself, you can get beautiful slides out of black & white negative film.

There were some threads in the past on how B&W positive reversal works; one of them is here.

Philipp

 

[Roger Hicks]

Philipp has it. In general, it's more trouble than it's worth: a long process and indifferent quality. With the right films, especially on a clear base, it can be beautiful. But unless you're projecting the images, my own view (and I've tried several processes and several films) is that you can do better with negs (scanning or printing).

Cheers,

R.

 

[stiff68]

Thanks rxmd & Roger

Can the B&W slide developed from negative film be enlarged and printed again, say, to a size of 2m x1m?
When I saw Graffenreid's film, he print some of his phote out to a very large size. Seemingly using the slide film.
That confuses me a lot. If someone wanna see slide show, he can develop the film to positive. But if he will enlarge and print out the film at the end, why he develop a slide? To develop a negative seems easier and more simple.

 

[Roger Hicks]

That confuses me a lot. If someone wanna see slide show, he can develop the film to positive. But if he will enlarge and print out the film at the end, why he develop a slide? To develop a negative seems easier and more simple.

This is precisely my feeling. I have seen exhibitions prepared this way and to be honest I'd far rather see prints from negs.

It's easier and better. No contest in my view. But there are those whose vision apparently demands the more roundabout route.

Cheers,

R.

 

[thirdeye]

Check out the technical information on dr5 chrome's website. I plan to send a roll (of chrome, however) to them this week. I would like to send them some B+W, but need to burn some first.