The Holly Grail

[Shadesofgrey]

Afternoon all...well it is over here...raining too.
In my search for the Holly Grail (good but cheap film) I was trying to locate some 400asa Tura as I'd heard that it was Agfa APX? Well, seems there is some 150asa about but in small quantites. Undaunted I contacted a supplier who had advertised 400asa some time agao and asked if he was looking to re-stock. Here's the reply.
"Not planning to restock at this time - Tura are in administration at the
moment so its unclear what will happen." 😕
Another Ilford/Agfa? The world turns.....back to Neopan I guess; though I'm looking to try Foma 200/400: anyone give me a little info on these. Thanks guys & Gals of course.
B.
PS. Anyone know if Tura 150 is a 150asa? Or, more like a 100 asa APX?

 

[Roman]

Tura 150 is Agfa APX100 - though they switched the name to Tura 100 about 2 years ago, IIRC, so if you find film labeled Tura 150, it is very old stock; I have also heard that Tura is in big troubles (which will also mean problems for other sellers of rebranded films, who had the spooling done at the Tura plant).
Tura/APX 400 would not be my choice of film, anyway - VERY grainy stuff, not pushable at all (though if exposed at around 250, in medium format, it does give nice results). Neopan 400 is a much better film, IMHO, but I don't know about prices were you live; I suppose Ilford HP5+ and FP4+ might be inexpensive in the UK?
www.retrophotographic.com is the British partner of www.fotoimpex.de from Germany, my favorite mail-order place for photographic supplies - and they carry 'Adox CHM' films, which are relabeled Ilford HP5+ and FP4+, as well as Efke and Foma films.
Fomapan 100 is quite good, looks a lot like APX100, works well in Rodinal, good choice. I don't have extensive experience with the Foma T200 film, but most sources suggest to expose it at around EI 100 to 125; Fomapan 400 is also not bad, but should be used at EI 200 to 250 at most, and is very bad for pushing; generally, the Fomapans are pretty good, modern emulsions, but are even further away from their box-speed than most big brands' films; with 120 size films, you're in for a surprise - the film base has a strong turquoise tint, very weird, but without side-effects; Foma negs usually look a bit thinner than those from other films.
ABout other cheap film: stay away from Lucky - I haven't used it myself, but saw examples from a friend, and those were the worst pictures he ever made, quality-wise.
Fortepan is OK if you don't mind gigantic grain...

Roman

 

[JoeFriday]

who is Holly? 😉

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Wow!

Wow!

WOW! Hi Roman, some reply, thanks for all the info. Yes I’ve heard the 400 was grainy but as I’ve never used it I thought I’d give it a try: looks like I’ be giving it a miss now though. I saw a few snaps on lucky film; reminded me of the strange yet beautiful things I get with my wonderful Holga! Haven’t tried Rodinal as yet; any good for Delta 400 or HP5+? I normally use Ilfosol S ID11 D76 and D23 when I can find (be bothered to make up) the chemicals. Foma 400 at 250 max: what’s the results like compared to 200? ‘Breaking the law’ Nice one! 😀

Cheers

B.

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Hi Joe

Hi Joe

who is Holly? 😉

Holy's sister of course! :angel: Only she has a.......stuttttter! 😀

 

[JoeFriday]

oooh.. I thought maybe it was Crystal Grayle's sister.. nevermind!

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Nice one joe

Nice one joe

oooh.. I thought maybe it was Crystal Grayle's sister.. nevermind!

Things are never as translucent as they seem: are they joe. 😉

 

[Roman]

Haven't tried Delta 400 with Rodinal; I know people who like HP5+ with Rodinal, but it is a rather grainy combination (nicely shaped grain, though) - however, if you already use ID11, that's a perfect partner for Ilford HP5+, it 's a long time since I used it, but I always got good results - used 1+1 dilution, EI 320.
About Fomapan 400 at 250 - do you mean compared to Fomapan 200? Can't tell anything about that - I used the 400 version mostly in 120 size, and the 200 version in 35mm, and only 7 or 8 rolls of the latter - not enough to draw conclusions. Or did you mean Fomapan 400 at EI 250 vs. EI 200? That's only 1/3rd of an f-stop difference, and which EI works best for you depends on your whole equipment chain (camera shutter, light-meter, enlarger, favorite paper) as well as on your preferences concerning shadow definition - you'll have to experiment a bit; the late Barry Thornton had a good article about how to easily establish your personal EI for a given combination, but that website has been down for a few months - I think I stored that article on my harddrive somewhere, if you really want it I could look for it and send it to you!

Roman

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Need a drink

Need a drink

Sorry Roman, my english is c**p until I've had a few pints 🙄 What I ment was....Fomapan 400 at EI 250? Is Fomapan 400 really that far off its box speed. I have Barry Thornton's article thanks and I do HP5+ @ 320 like you say.


B.

 

[Roman]

Well, I never got useable shadow definition out of Fomapan 400 at anything higher than EI 250 (and that was with Calbe A49, which usually gives very good film speed - I use Neopan 400 at EI400 with it), but of course that also depends on personal preferences...

Roman

 

[Shadesofgrey]

Interesting, about the shadow detail I mean. I haven't tried Calbe with Neopan yet: mind you; I'm darkroom-less at the moment, due to moving house, so it'll be a few weeks before I can get back to 'Happiness'. What's the camera you're holding?