Medium Speed 35mm B&W Film Poll

[Roger Vadim]

I shot nothing but Tmax 100 for a few years. Really love that film.

great, makes me want to use tmax 100 - if not for the build in Robert Frank cubic crystals 😉 then for the nice tonality. really like the photo: variations on a theme...

 

[charjohncarter]

Congratulations! Those controlled developments of yours are superb again and again! A pleasure, thanks for sharing! On paper this one must look just like a miracle... By the way (I have never used TMax 100) do you find its grain and sharpness clearly different from TMax 400?

Cheers,

Juan

Juan, thanks the grain is finer but not that much even with 35mm. Sharpness is about the same, what I like is the softness of Tmax100, I suppose lots would not. By softness I mean the transition between tones is not abrupt, but it also is not mushy.

 

[jmcd]

Thought I use others as well, for favorite I vote FP4+, because it handles such a wide range of lighting situations very well, and looks super in many developers—Rodinal, Xtol, D-76, HC-110... With an averaging meter I shoot it at an EI of 50 in very contrasty light, 100 in normal directional light, 200 in flat light, and 400 in very flat light or when I want an extra graphic representation—then develop accordingly. Very nice prints are possible with this film, sharp and with good tones.

 

[je2a3]

APX100 EI200/Diafine is my default. In Rodinal 1:50 if I want sharper and a bit more contrast. Once I finish my stock, I'd probably go to Legacy Pro/Acros 100 or Arista Premium 100/Plus X.

 

[ZeissFan]

Either Kodak TMax 100, Agfapan APX100 (or Rollei equivalent), Ilford FP4+ or Adox CHS100 Art. Never Fuji.

 

[KenR]

Years ago I tried Plus-x and gave up on it as kind of bland. Recently tried the Arista Premium version with Rodinal 1:50 and have been very impressed with the results. I'm still adjusting my times, but 11 min at 68 degrees with 2 shakes every 60 seconds looks nice on the view box (no time yet to make any prints.)

 

[lawrence]

I used to use Kodak films but I switched to Ilford some time ago as I felt they were more committed to keeping film (and B&W film in particular) in production. In my own small way I thought I should support them - but having got used to it I have come to love FP4 as well.

In connection with this, a recent Ilford press release:

9 March 2010: ILFORD PHOTO has issued a commitment to all black and white photography enthusiasts that despite other brands’ products becoming discontinued elsewhere in the industry, it will continue to support its existing range of mono photographic products for the foreseeable future.

Numerous black and white specialist products have been discontinued by other manufacturers in recent months and as the only dedicated black and white photographic brand, ILFORD PHOTO issued the following statement today reassuring customers that it has no plans for downsizing its product range.

Steven Brierley, Marketing Director for ILFORD PHOTO commented: “Over the course of our 130 year heritage, ILFORD PHOTO has become more than just another photographic company – many of our customers see us as the custodians of the future of black and white photography.

“Due to recent news from many parts of the industry that some black and white products are being discontinued, we have had a number of queries from anxious customers asking about the future of our own range. As such, we want to confirm that we have no plans to reduce our range in any way.”

 

[chris000]

In connection with this, a recent Ilford press release:

9 March 2010: ILFORD PHOTO has issued a commitment to all black and white photography enthusiasts that despite other brands’ products becoming discontinued elsewhere in the industry, it will continue to support its existing range of mono photographic products for the foreseeable future.

I guess in these ever changing and difficult times nothing is ever guaranteed but a statement such as that is at least very encouraging.

 

[Turtle]

wow Acros did a lot better than I expected.

As for me, Foma 100, FP4+ and D100 all have there merits. I love Foma 100 in Xtol + rodinal (finding it too soft and lacking bite in Xtol alone), FP4+ in Xtol 1+2 and D100 in the same mix as Foma. I find the Foma has the most soul, D100 by far the most detail and FP4+ the largely invincible all rounder.

 

[drewbarb]

1.) Rollei Retro 100/Agfa APX 100, in D-76/ID-11.
2.) Plus-X.
3.) FP4.

My favorites exactly- and in the same order (though I use Rodinal, HC 110, and Xtol as much if not more than D-76/ID-11).

 

[lawrence]

Nice to see that Plus-X has picked up some votes at last. I was beginning to worry about that because it's a great film with its own character.