Kodak T400CN vs new BW400CN

[Trius]

Get in touch with this man. He has used both better than any mere mortal.

geebeephoto

While you're there, take a look at Graham's work. He was using T400CN until about 3-6 months ago when he switched to BW400CN. EDIT TO CLARIFY: He used the older film until his supply ran out. He is now using the newer film.

Graham has been using HP5+, as well, and I have a feeling he may be moving to that for b&w, however, I haven't asked. His work with TCN and 400BW is extremely good, but I'm liking the work with HP5+ more, I think.

I have shot 400BW at 200 and found I didn't care for the highlights and overall density, so I now rate it at 250 or 320.

At really high ratings it is quite grainy, has been mentioned.

Once my 400BW stock is gone, I will switch back to XP2. I prefer to not have the orange base.

 

[MadMan2k]

I've tried this film a few times (two packs of 3), but I haven't really liked what I've seen. I think better results can be had by shooting color C41 and converting using the Channel Mixer in photoshop. It doesn't have the tones or the feel of real B&W in my opinion, and channel mixer gives you more control over the conversion, so why not.

Of course if you want B&W proof prints in an hour, you don't have much choice...

 

[Trius]

I've tried this film a few times (two packs of 3), but I haven't really liked what I've seen. I think better results can be had by shooting color C41 and converting using the Channel Mixer in photoshop. It doesn't have the tones or the feel of real B&W in my opinion, and channel mixer gives you more control over the conversion, so why not.

Of course if you want B&W proof prints in an hour, you don't have much choice...

 

[VinceC]

It's something of a hang-up, but I've never been able to treat color film like it's black and white. If it's color in the camera, I shoot with colors in mind. If it's black and white in the camera, I shoot with tones in mind. That's why I like the Kodak black-and-white films. I keep my SP loaded with black and white and my S3 with color.

 

[Dougg]

It's something of a hang-up, but I've never been able to treat color film like it's black and white. If it's color in the camera, I shoot with colors in mind. If it's black and white in the camera, I shoot with tones in mind...

Vince, i agree... It's a different state of mind and a different aesthetic, so with unusual exception I'm solely attentive to the opportunities for the current film type. Even with two similar cameras with me, one loaded with color and the other B&W, I cannot effectively use both. Too divisive of my attention I suppose.

 

[ully]

I shot with T400CN and loved it. Haven't had such good luck with B&W400, I don't think it scans as well and isn't as contrasty.

I always seem to go back to XPS2 and love the way it scans and prints.