Please suggest a creamy, smooth B&W film

[Bosk]

Hi guys,

Since I haven't been overly impressed with the results I've obtainted with Lucky SHD 100 recently, I've decided to try out a new type of B&W film or two.

I will be developing with HC-110, and would prefer something in the ISO 50/100/200 range with creamy, smooth tones and a minimum of grain. Sharpness isn't the be-all-and-end-all for me, but I do love images that have a smooth "DSLR-like" quality to them. (but without the ugly DSLR noise & jpeg artifacts!)
I have considered shooting medium format but financially it is out of the question for the near future so my plan is to stick with 35mm for the time being.

I'd love to hear your suggestions of films that could meet my requirements, and please feel free to post any example shots too if you have some.

Thanks very much. 🙂

 

[DavidH]

Smoothest I've seen is Delta 100 dev in Perceptol - stunning. Only example I have here is on page 3 of my gallery - 'filming the barren lands'.

XP2 gives very creamy tones - few examples of that in my gallery too...including the shot of my daughter uploaded today.

Have never used HC110...

 

[rogue_designer]

panF 50+ - but you have to nail the exposure. Underexposed looses the creamyness. I rate mine at 32 to help mitigate that.

 

[venchka]

...XP2 gives very creamy tones...

I agree. Kodak's BW400CN also. Either exposed at anything from 100 to 400.

 

[egpj]

Another vote for Ilford's XP2. Also, I like FP4 125. I have taken some portraits with it that are the sort of creamy you are talking about.

 

[tetrisattack]

Sounds like a job for a slow-speed T-grain film and, optionally, a yellow or light red filter.

Overexpose and underdevelop and print / scan at low contrast, see what that gets you.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Delta100 is what I've been using, seems to work well.
-Rob

 

[wintoid]

Although I personally love PanF, I recognise a lot in your comments that would seem to point towards Acros.

 

[dcsang]

Fuji Acros

Dave

 

[peter_n]

Ilford XP2 developed at your local 1-hour. Fomapan 100 might look nice with HC-110 but I confess I haven't seen any results of that combo.

 

[kmack]

Using HC-110 I have had some good results with Ilford FP4+ shot at 60 ISO using 1:100 dilutions. You may want to do some testing to see what speed works best for you with your developer choice.

It has been my experience so far that just about any black and white film, when properly exposed and developed can deliver negatives that can be used to create the "creamy and smooth" look. I have also gotten some nice negatives from Kodak Tri-X , Arista.edu, The new Efke KB400 ( grainier than I like ) and Efke KB25, KB50 and KB100.

As for Fuji Acros, It is my absolute favorite in 120, not so much in 135.

 

[sunsworth]

Efke 50 - or 25 if you want a very old fashioned look.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I don't develop my own film so my choice would be Kodak BW400CN rated at 200 or 100 with a yellow filter. I have it developed normally at my 1 hr. lab with no special instruction and scan at home.

Bob

 

[rich815]

XP2 will give you the creamiest look, exposed at 200-250. Otherwise Delta 100 or Acros.

 

[sepiareverb]

Acros is my suggestion too- I've not run any myself (just finished the 1st roll today) but I've had a lot of students shooting it and it is the cream!

 

[sienarot]

Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN are C-41 films. Since the OP stated he was going to develop in HC-110, I don't think they suit his needs.

I'm a fan of PanF+ myself, though Acros 100 looks good. I've only gone through one roll myself (of Acros 100), so I don't have extensive experience with what it's capable of...

 

[Photog9001]

echo tetris attack, except i'd be willing to bet on just about any film.
pull, according to light conditions, and go easy on the contrast when printing/digi processing...

 

[xayraa33]

Creamy and smooth? .. oh I thought it was an other bokeh thread again.
Pan F is good, but it needs careful exposure and development, and as someone already said, exposing it at 32 ISO is a very good idea.

I love the look of Fuji Acros, I have yet to try it out, but it looks very creamy indeed.

APX 100 developed in Rodinal can be a very nice film also.

 

[sherm]

Acros, definately provides that "buttery smooth" look, but Efke 50 in Beutler formula is about as good as it gets for deep rich blacks and overall "old school look". If you're fortunate enough to own the 40/1.4 Nokton SC this is a stunning combination.

Cheers,

Scott

 

[TNRL]

I am using efke kb25, and im loving that film! I've tried FP4+ at EI 50, and got very good results from that! All developed with D-76.