Please suggest a creamy, smooth B&W film

sherm said:
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
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Scott,

What is the Beutler formula?

TIA,

Les
 
Les,

Here's the formula for Beutler............


Beutler
Film developer

Part A
Water 750 ml
Metol 10 g
Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) 50 g
Water to make 1L


Part B
Water 750 ml
Sodium Carbonate (anhydrous) 50 g
Water to make 1L

Mixing instructions: Add chemicals in specified sequence.

Dilution: 1+1+10



You can also get a dry pre-mix kit from Photographer's Formulary

Cheers,

Scott
 
Smooth? Kodak BN400 (or CN, I can't keep up with them changing their minds)

Creamy? Plux-X or FP4+

Creamy and Smooth? Many won't agree, but Agfa APX 100 in Rodinal 1+50 when shooting with any Summicron wide open or stopped down just a stop, with a medium yellow filter. You get "sharp" as a bonus.
 
Smooth film

Smooth film

Foma 200 is very smooth looking. I shoot it at 125, and develop in Rodinal 1:50.
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
....Agfa APX 100 in Rodinal 1+50 when shooting with any Summicron wide open or stopped down just a stop, with a medium yellow filter. You get "sharp" as a bonus.
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Ahhhh, that suggestion just makes me smile.....
 
Wow I never expected so many responses, thanks for your contributions everyone!


I just put in an order for 10 rolls of TMAX 100 primarily because I found it for a good price, and it also seems to be acceptably low grain.

I'll probably order more film in another wek or two and am thinking of trying either Acros or Pan F at this point.


I forgot to mention that I have been extremely impressed with the shots I've obtained with XP2 in the past (rated at 400) but since I'd prefer to develop my film myself from now on I don't see myself going back to it in the near future.


One other option I'd also been considering is shooting slide film and convert it to B&W in Photoshop, as I've seen some excellent examples of this on flickr lately. Of course that would necessitate lab development in my case but I am keen on giving Velvia a try at some point anyway, having never shot it before.


Once again thankyou everyone for your suggestions, I never really expected such a diverse range of choices either to be honest. 😀
 
For what you are asking for, my vote is for Delta 100. Efke 25 is really nice also but not as creamy and much harder to find developing information on. I've been using Pan F and don't find it to be very creamy (although I like the stuff).


~Chad
 
venchka said:
I agree. Kodak's BW400CN also. Either exposed at anything from 100 to 400.
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Most "creamy" at ISO 200 IMO. The grainless emulsion makes most of the impression, but the greys are very fine too.. And it scans well. Personally I prefer BW400CN, but XP2 isn't really less good. A matter of taste.

Bertram
 
Here is one combination that has not been mentioned yet, but I really think in order to get a smoothy creamy feeling, has to do more with the developer that you use, more so than film. However, a slower speed film, will feel creamier and smoother.

My favorite combination was Agfa 25 with Rodinal film. Since the film does not exist, I would reccomend Kodak Plus-x, even tri-x, developed with x-tol. The texture of the skin, and the tones are quite beautiful.

I really need to get a scanner so I can post my images. Anybody have any recommendations? I don't have much money--which way way is better, scanning film or scanning prints. It is probably better for me to scan prints than negs, I think I could then just get a cheap flatbed scanner?

Sorry for going off topic, I should probably just start a new thread?
 
If you've never tried an orthochromatic film, I would suggest tracking down some Maco Macophot PO 100c (I think it's been discontinued but there's some still floating around, particularly in Europe), which can be developed in standard B&W chemistry of your choice. It has a true old-school look w/a transparent base, but perhaps not so creamy looking if you're taking pix of people w/freckles, etc.

Some samples from me (developed by my local B&W lab in Ilfotec & X-tol):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/macophotpo100/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/macophotpo100c/
 
I have posted this again with a scan. The link in my first post didn,t do it justice. Neopan 400 @ EI200 in HC-110 Dil H.
 

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John Bragg said:
I have posted this again with a scan. The link in my first post didn,t do it justice. Neopan 400 @ EI200 in HC-110 Dil H.
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Nice shot. Certainly creamy. In fact except for some evidence of grain in the background curtains I'd say you almost duplicated the look of Ilford XP2....but then what's the point to that? I love Neopan 400 and with all due respect would truly never want it to look too creamy and smooth. Now that said I really like XP2 when I want that look!
 
rich815 said:
Nice shot. Certainly creamy. In fact except for some evidence of grain in the background curtains I'd say you almost duplicated the look of Ilford XP2....but then what's the point to that? I love Neopan 400 and with all due respect would truly never want it to look too creamy and smooth. Now that said I really like XP2 when I want that look!
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Thanks. I have never used XP2, and except for a brief flirtation with XP1, (longer ago than I care to remember), I have used conventional films such as Tri-X and APX100 and not bothered with chromogenics. If I want more obvious grain, I have a bottle of Rodinal to call on. (the OP asked for SMOOTH 🙂 )

Regards, john.
 
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