Most vintage-looking film

[yarinkel]

Hi, I`d like to take some 50`s - 60`s looking pictures and would like to know which film would be the most appropriate.

Look is more important than speed. Also I do not yet have my own darkroom so the film will have to be -gasp- lab processed. So what is it that you recommend? Fomapan classic? Tri-X? Ilford? others?

Also if you have tips on how to have it processed by the lab (I like exposing Tri-X at 320 and have it developped by the lab at 400)

Tanks for your time,
Yann

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Lab processing older-style emulsions tends to be a very disappointing feat indeed...unless you can find a good pro lab. I'd suggest getting a tank and a changing bag. You don't need a lot of room to develop your own and it ends up being MUCH cheaper.

 

[Bill58]

Try the J and C Pro 100 and Classic 200/ 400 Film, http://www.jandcphotography.com/

 

[captainslack]

Sometimes, that old fashioned look comes from the lens, not the film.

For instance the Minolta A5 I used to use had a wonder 50's - 60's look to it with Fuji Superia 100.

 

[richard_l]

Underexpose ISO 400 C-41 film one to two stops with normal processing. It won't have the natural-looking grain of silver halide film but it'll have crappy contrast.

 

[raid]

EFKE25/ADOX25 (or 50 or 100) developed commercially is a mess ... and looks very vintage.

Raid

 

[phototone]

I think the OP is looking for a "vintage" tone curve, not cruddy negatives. It is true that the spectral response of b/w films has changed somewhat over the years, however, I feel that APX100 (Agfa) which is still available from large stocks, and D-76 1:1 produces a tonality that resembles the photos in the old Look and Life magazines.

 

[yarinkel]

captainslack: yes, I also have a thread regarding this in the LTM forum.

Stephanie: Labs here (Japan) do a pretty good job (even for monochrome). I`d rather devellop myself tho, but won`t be before 3-4 month due to constraints.

Bill58 and raid amin: J and C classic/Adox and Efke look good, but I don`t know if I can find them here in Japan. Any experience with Fomapan?

 

[vol72]

Fomapan 400

Try the development times with your favorite developer from the Massive Development Chart:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html