The one film approach?

[ChrisN]

Is anyone using a single film for all their (B&W) shooting? Looking at Ilford's spec sheets, you can rate their HP5+ film at anything from 250 iso to 3200, or their Delta 400 from 200 iso to 3200, and use the appropriate developer to suit. That would certainly simplify matters, as you cut it down to one film and two types of developers.

 

[javimm]

I shoot HP5+ almost exclusively. I started using Tri-X but after trying HP5+, i switched to it and never used Tri-X again. Since then I've shot a roll of FP4; good tonality, but a bit slow. I have another roll of FP4 in the fridge, but it's all HP5+ for me.

I like the tonality and grain it gives. I shoot it at 400 and sometimes at 1600 if I'm shooting in low light conditions. A real workhorse for me. I use HC-110 to develop it. It's the only developer I have. A bit grainy, but very good overall.

 

[Harry S.]

Yes, Tri-X

I find it to be perfect. Also dries much flatter than HP5 in my experience, and that makes scanning less of a chore.

 

[Freakscene]

I spent several years shooting nothing but 35mm Tri-X at 200 or 800-1250. I started out using D76 and Acufine, moved to Diafine and then TMax RS for the fast stuff (the latter because I worked at a lab that used that developer) and ended up developing everything in Xtol or a homemade ascorbate equivalent. But then I spent a while travelling to Japan a couple of times a year and started using Neopan 400 and 1600 and later, Acros.

I may go back to the single 35 mm film approach sometime, particularly if film gets harder to obtain.

Marty

 

[35mmdelux]

I shoot 160 NPH or 160 Portra NC primarily. I can double the speed if needed. Seems to work pretty well in most circumstances with my Summiluxes. Rarely do I have a need for 800-3200. I do have a few bricks of HP-5 in the freezer.

 

[projectbluebird]

For several years I shot HP5 exclusively, though rarely at higher film speeds. For the last two years I've been on a slower film kick, more often than not my cameras are loaded with Efke 50, or even 25.

Still, I buy HP5 in bulk rolls when I can, its a very useful film and I prefer the look to Tri-X. Especially in HC-110.

 

[Keith]

Hmmm ... film monogamy?

That's a lot to suggest to a photographer when there's so much great film out there! 😛

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

I shoot both HP5+ and FP4+ in 95% cases.

 

[newspaperguy]

Tri-X in HC110 about 95% of the time.
(Usually rated at 200)

The other 5% with Kodak BW400CN

 

[martin s]

I shoot both HP5+ and FP4+ in 95% cases.

That's the way I do it, remaining 5-10% is APX 400 or maybe Fomapan next.

martin

 

[Murray Kelly]

Pretty much Kodak Hawkeye Surveilance since I have 600' of the stuff. Looking at the info sheet it can be pushed and pulled but I just want to get a handle on the film and fortell how the darned images are gunna turn out! 🙂
Boring - yes - scientific - yes.
(the atavar is HE)
Murray.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Basically one film, one e.i., one developer, all the time.

Reason is simple. When I used more than one film, I always seemed to have the wrong one in the camera. Now I have learned to made due with what I have.

I shot Neopan 400, both 120 & 35mm, almost exclusively for about five years. Lately I have been using Arista Premium in 35mm (nice price!) but expose and develop it the same. The same as I used to when I had a few bricks of 35mm HP5. Basically, only iso 400 b&w film and nothing else.

It is not unusual for me to be photographing on the street, f8 @ 1/1000th, then walk into a building and find myself shooting f2 @ 1/30th then back to "sunny 16" country on a roll.

I keep enough film in my pocket and in the freezer so I never consider being frugal. But I almost never have to vary the e.i. I use. 250-320 works almost everywhere for me. I use mostly 1 developer, Rodinal.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I like using one film most of the time. You get to know it and it's one less thing to think about when you're going out the door. For the past year, I've used Fuji Superia 400 most of the time. It's cheap and I like the colour.

 

[Leighgion]

Not doing that at the moment, but in the beginning I was all Tri-X and I was happy. Only reason I got other B&W was to get some slower, finer-grained stuff.

 

[Morca007]

Bah, I'm far too young to be tied down to just one! 😉

 

[Murray Kelly]

Lottsa luck! After many years I am still trying to nail down what i like.
I was quite happy w Adox KB14/Beutler then 50 years slipped by. Now the search is on again. 🙂
Murray

Bah, I'm far too young to be tied down to just one! 😉

 

[JeffGreene]

Basically one film, one e.i., one developer, all the time.

Reason is simple. When I used more than one film, I always seemed to have the wrong one in the camera. Now I have learned to made due with what I have.

I shot Neopan 400, both 120 & 35mm, almost exclusively for about five years. Lately I have been using Arista Premium in 35mm (nice price!) but expose and develop it the same. The same as I used to when I had a few bricks of 35mm HP5. Basically, only iso 400 b&w film and nothing else. ....

I'm with Bob, as far as one film goes. Tri-X and now Arista Premium in both 35 and 120 with the exception that recently been playing with color and am looking forward to the arrival of some Ektar 120.

 

[marke]

For the past few months, it's been TMZ 3200 @ EI 800 or 1600. But that's because most of my work is for an ongoing available light cafe project. Otherwise, during the week, the MP is loaded with Tri-X.

The other thing I'm shooting for right now is The Kodachrome Project, so that means one of my cameras ususally has some KR64 loaded in it.

 

[mcgrattan]

I've been through phases when I've stuck to one film. I started out shooting a lot of Classic Pan 200 because it was cheap.

I still shoot Neopan 400 more than anything else, but go through phases of testing/playing with other things [I'm doing a bit of that at the moment]. Neopan 400 would be it if I was forced to only shoot with one film. Acros runs it a close second.

 

[BTMarcais]

Mostly HP5+ w/ XTOL.

but... there are times when that's NOT the best choice, so...
-SFX200 is a favorite for it's look, both 35mm and 120,
-Neopan 1600 is wonderful, but I pretty much only use it if I know I'm going to run through the whole roll, and not get stuck w/ it in my M3 during daylight hours (1/1000 @ f16 doesn't quite cut it)(but I always have some around!).
-Pan F/FP 4 both get some use too, if I know I'm ONLY going to be outside/daylight, and not running in and out of building to shoot something.

Great films all, and I guess I shoot a few different ones... BUT...90% is HP5, the rest only as needed.

(for my larger format cameras I'm pretty much set on HP5 too... contact printing a 5x7 grain never seems to be an issue....🙂)

-Brian