Noctilux: which slow b/w film do you recommend?

[~martyn~]

I've been lucky enough to have been given an M6 and Noctilux on long-term loan. I want to make the best use of the lens's narrow dof capabilities, and to try to achieve the softness and almost creamy smoothness I've seen other photogs achieve. Which slow b/w film do Noctiusers recommend? And do you shoot it straight or slightly overexpose it?

 

[capitalK]

I like PANF 50 Plus a lot, but there is very little evident grain, if that's your thing.

 

[maddoc]

Fuji Neopan ACROS100, Ilford FP4, Kodak Velvia 50 and 100F are good candidates. 🙂

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

My current favorite B&W film is Efke KB25 shot at speed and stand developed for 60 minutes with Rodinal 1:100. The tonal range and quality of the negatives is wonderful, but do not overexpose with this combination or you will blow highlights.

 

[oscroft]

Well, I'm not a Noctiuser, but I am impressed by Adox Pan 25 - very nice subtle tonality.

 

[~martyn~]

Well, I'm not a Noctiuser, but I am impressed by Adox Pan 25 - very nice subtle tonality.

Mr Lynn Miller (above) wrote "My current favorite B&W film is Efke KB25". My understanding is that Adox and Efke are both made in the same facility in Croatia. Are these in fact the same film under different names? I ask this because I haven't seen a source of Efke in the UK, but can find the Adox.

Incidentally, I've looked at some of the Flickr examples shot with Efke KB25, and I'm surprised at how unlike the usual slow-film "soot-and-whitewash" they are.

Thanks, too, to others for their suggestions. Has anyone used AgfaPan 25 with the Noctilux?

 

[filmfan]

Kodak Velvia 50 and 100F are good candidates. 🙂

Unless this was a joke I don't understand, I believe those are Fujifilms.
Although they are both nice films, they are color, which is not what he was looking for.
Just use whatever you normally like.
I like Agfapan apx 25 and Ilford pan-f 50 out of most lenses, so I'd say I would like them out of a Noctilux as well.

 

[pfoto]

Has anyone used AgfaPan 25 with the Noctilux?

AFAIK Agfa 25 is discontinued and has been unavailable in 35mm for some time.

My own favorite is Agfapan 100 or Fomapan 100.

 

[filmfan]

AFAIK Agfa 25 is discontinued and has been unavailable in 35mm for some time.

Good to know. Maybe I will cease shooting this film so liberally.

 

[peter_n]

Well it is still available in 120 but you are buying 35mm APX 25? I also thought it was discontinued. See the link from PN:

agfa apx 25

 

[sepiareverb]

Something not mentioned is the Adox Ortho 25- a different look. But watch the development, as it can be very contrasty.

 

[maddoc]

Unless this was a joke I don't understand, I believe those are Fujifilms.
Although they are both nice films, they are color, which is not what he was looking for.
Just use whatever you normally like.
I like Agfapan apx 25 and Ilford pan-f 50 out of most lenses, so I'd say I would like them out of a Noctilux as well.

I stand corrected. (... and should more carefully read what I write 😱) It should have read "... Kodak 125PX, Fuji Velvia ..." Sorry for confusion.

 

[~martyn~]

"AFAIK Agfa 25 is discontinued and has been unavailable in 35mm for some time."

Good to know. Maybe I will cease shooting this film so liberally.

I bought (in 120 format) a pack of RolleiRetro 100 a few weeks ago. I was told by the supplier that this was APX-100 emulsion on a different base. It certainly shoots and develops like APX-100. So on the basis of that I wouldn't be surprised to find that RolleiRetro's 25 is the same as Agfa's.

 

[ampguy]

reala 100

reala 100

lately, my favorite b/w has been Reala 100, which can also be used for color, developed in D76 for about 13 minutes.