Lost in Film

OurManInTangier

OurManInTangier

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I haven't regularly shot film for perhaps around four years, I switched to digital M bodies and didn't keep in any real touch with what was happening with films. However, I've now sold my digital Rf gear and gone back to basics with a M6, a 35 and 50mm but I'm now confronted with a much changed, or seemingly much changed, film landscape.

I used to shoot Tri-x, Delta 100 & 400 and occaisonally FP4. Whilst the Ilford films all seem to have survived and from what I can make out Tri-x seems to still be available there also appears to be a raft of new names i.e. Kentmere (or possible re-brands) which I'm completely unaware of which I'd love some opinions on and/or examples of.

I know it would be easy to suggest I simply use what I've always used as its still available but I'd love to find out some more from the knowledgeable Rff user base. Especially if it may save me almost half the price on each roll of film.

Plus, having had a quick look at '7 Day Shop,' and 'Discount Films Direct' it seems where you shop these days will have a huge impact upon which films are available to you as well as at what price.
 
Your best bets:
Agfa APX 100 from macodirect
Arista Premium 400 ( AKA Tri X) from freestyle
Ilford films from the cheapest UK supplier you will find
there is also Neopan 400 again, but I don't know where you can find it at cheapest price.
 
Kentmere are films produced by Ilford. New emulsions. Both the 100 and 400 are quite nice. The 400's grain is more on the coarse side. Both dry very flat.
Both are a good bang for the buck.
 
mfogiel said:
Your best bets:
Agfa APX 100 from macodirect
Arista Premium 400 ( AKA Tri X) from freestyle
Ilford films from the cheapest UK supplier you will find
there is also Neopan 400 again, but I don't know where you can find it at cheapest price.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information - the APX is one I'd like to try, infact anything without too much grain as my developing ability has always left me with quite coarse grain - nice at times but horrific at others...practice, experimentation and some reading up will hopefully help to remedy this of course.

filzkoeter said:
Kentmere are films produced by Ilford. New emulsions. Both the 100 and 400 are quite nice. The 400's grain is more on the coarse side. Both dry very flat.
Both are a good bang for the buck.
Click to expand...

Thanks - perhaps I'll give the 100 ago with a 10 roll brick for £28 and a few rolls of Tri-x for old times sake.

With the new gallery I may be able to trawl through by film now...or at least in the future
 
Filzkoeter said:
Kentmere are films produced by Ilford. New emulsions. Both the 100 and 400 are quite nice. The 400's grain is more on the coarse side. Both dry very flat.
Both are a good bang for the buck.
Click to expand...

I bought a 100' bulk roll of this, and it's been mostly agreeable to me, especially for the price!
 
Excellent stuff, keep those suggestions coming if you have 'em. Plus if there are any example scans you'd like to share I'd love to see them. I should widen this to stockists of chemicals too, if you know a good stockist or where to get stuff at a good price it will all help me get back into film with some level of ease.

Many thanks for all the help so far!
 
I'm looking for a "replacement" for Plus-X when my stock runs out. Tried FP4+ and wasn't impressed. Recently, I've shot a few rolls of Fomapan 100 and this looks promising. You can get it pretty cheap from Freestyle, re-badged as Arista.edu Ultra 100

I shoot a lot of TMax these days. TMax 100 has become my go-to film for landscape photography.
 
Hi Simon,

So, like me, you've gone full circle and returned to film. Last I heard you had an M9.

I use Ilford films mostly because I like to support UK manufacturers and I figure Ilford will be the last to desert film as it is their core business. I've been buying film and chemicals from AG Photographic as the do everything you could need and are knowledgable and helpful.

http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/

Though I do tend to order over the phone because their online ordering is a bit clunky.
I look forward to seeing your new film work.

Bob. 🙂
 
OurManInTangier said:
Excellent stuff, keep those suggestions coming if you have 'em. Plus if there are any example scans you'd like to share I'd love to see them. I should widen this to stockists of chemicals too, if you know a good stockist or where to get stuff at a good price it will all help me get back into film with some level of ease.

Many thanks for all the help so far!
Click to expand...


Freestyle remains a good source for chemistry. One advantage to HC 110 (still available) and Diafine is that they last a long time (the former in syrup form; the latter as reusable developer).
 
Rollei retro 100:


8381763514_93e87d8ff6_z.jpg


for faster option (iso 400) I find Rollei RPX 400 quite a good and cheap alternative to HP5 (at macodirect.de)

here is an example:

8380691307_8b711f4ff1_z.jpg
 
Wow, first of all welcome to the "dark side" again 🙂. It is great honor to see you at "dark side".
Actually my favorite films are Tri-x and Hp5+ but I am using Rollei RPX 400 because of economical reasons. Nevertheless, I am quite well satisfied results of it. Yes, it has grain but it doesn't bother me somehow I couldn't describe. I suggest you to give a chance to this film.
BTW I am using this film @250 and it has a best performer at inclined sunny day in my opinion.
 
Bingley said:
Freestyle remains a good source for chemistry. One advantage to HC 110 (still available) and Diafine is that they last a long time (the former in syrup form; the latter as reusable developer).
Click to expand...


This is good information. I spent a whole morning at Serenbe back in late summer as my friend there took my 35mm film and walked me through developing my first roll. Since then, (almost 4 months now), I have my notes left but there is no way I can go back as I am completely housebound now.

I hope to get started doing my own film as it is piling up and I have lost all confidence in the local lab here.
 
I'm lost in the sea of Film too... I love Tmax 100, 400, Tri-X 400, and Illford 400. Not to mention cheap Fuji 400 Color, and expensive Kodak 160, 400 Portra.

So many options....
 
i tried to write something productive and helpful for ten minutes, but all i came up with is this:

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYAYAYAYA!

now buy tri-x and shoot stuff.
 
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