The one film approach?

[robert blu]

Trying to get out all what is possible from Delta 400: is my plan just starting in thiose days, after extensive use of xp2 (chromogenic) . I just bought 4 rolls (35mm) and I'll develop first one next week.
rob

 

[calexg]

Tri-X. It can go anywhere between EI 50 - 25600, maybe even more.

 

[funkpilz]

I just started developing myself and I plan to use only HP5 for all my B/W needs. At first only at 400 ISO and once I actually get good at developing, I'll pull and push it. If I need extra fine grain, I have about 30m of Pan F+, too. Bulk rolls of HP5 are cheap, so simplifying my "workflow" will definitely improve my financial situation 😉

 

[sepiareverb]

I shoot mostly HP5+, 90% of my B&W is on that. In Microdol-X 1:1 it's great at ISO50!

I did shoot only Agfa Ultra 100 as color for a long time, as it is running out I'm adding in some Fuji Pro400H. Still haven't tried the Ektar.

I like Neopan 1600, FP4+, Pan F, Forte 100 and the Efke 50 and have them on hand, but nearly always go for the HP5, I'll throw on a ND filter if needed.

 

[Morca007]

I guess I really only shoot Tri-X (Arista Premium) in 35mm, but that's just because it's so dang cheap for the quality.
In 120, however, I just love trying different films, especially colour. I just got ten rolls of Portra 800 that I'm itching to shoot, and I would love some Reala.

 

[mfogiel]

The most plastic film I've used so far is Tri-X. You can get so many different looks with it, it is really amazing. For me it works great at EI 200 with developers like Prescysol EF or Rodinal (great tonality, great edge sharpness and punch) works great at around EI 400 in D76 and also works well at EI 800 in Acufine or Diafine, you can even shoot it at EI 1600 in that one, so depending on the subject and circumstances, you can really use it in many ways.

 

[nikon_sam]

I've done a bunch of Tri-X over the years but for the last two or three years it's been Neopan 400...and 120 more than 35mm...
Right now I have some HP5 (4x5 & 35mm) Tmax 400, Tri-X, Plus-X, PanF, Neopan 400 & Tri-X Pro (4x5)...almost forgot the few rolls of Arista 400...
I really like the look of Neopan 400 when using the Yashica Mat 124 and just recently picked up a B&L Tessar 190mm 4.5 lens for the 4x5 Field camera...I'm hoping I'll get a similar look as the Yashica with the Tessar (yes, I know the Yashinon is a Tessar type lens) That's why I bought the Tessar...

 

[kxl]

I just think it's impractical to limit myself to one film; however, I do always try to find good value. In my freezer right now are a few bricks of Arista Premium 100 and 400. Also, I'm in the process of ordering a couple of bricks of Legacy Pro 400 .

 

[aaron.tam]

Tri-X and 400H. Though if I were to choose between the two, Tri-X

 

[rbiemer]

Waay back in school, it was Tri-X for BW shooting. What ever color was cheap for the little bit of color I shot.
Until last fall, I had shot nothing but BW400CN for 5 or 6 years--it did go through several name changes and probably formulation changes, too so I'm not sure that qualifies as "one" film...
Last fall, I wanted some slower(25-50 speed)) film and have shot a bunch of other BW film. Not sure which one I'll settle on yet.
Rob

 

[emraphoto]

neopan 1600 almost exclusively

 

[Roger Hicks]

For me: HP5 except when I need more speed

For my wife: Tri-X except when she needs more speed

For both of us: Ilford Delta 3200 when we need the speed

All in DD-X.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ChrisN]

Roger, why DD-X rather than, say, ID-11? Convenience? Down here in OZ the ID-ll is about 1/4 the cost of DD-X, so it has become my defacto standard.

 

[Sam N]

I love trying different films, but my "home" film is Tri-X (and now Arista Premium).

 

[funkpilz]

I've only been shooting for a year, but I'm leaning towards the single film approach in that I use HP5+ for basically everything (at 400 and 1600) and only use other films for when I need finer grain (or color). My favourite C-41 film is Agfa Portrait XPS 160 and my favourite slide film is Provia 100F.
On a sidenote, I'm still looking for a good B/W film in the range of 50-200 ISO. Any suggestions?

 

[martin s]

Rollei Retro 100 / APX 100, to be had for 1.20 Euro at Monochrom (Ackerstraße). Can be rated at 50 (e.g. Rodinal) or even 250 (e.g. Diafine, Microphen, ... ). Plus, it doesn't curl or bend all that much.

By the way, HP5+ can be had for 23 Euros / 10 rolls at Fotoimpex (Alte Schönhauser), it's relabeled though. Adox CHM (?) I think, I can check if necessary.

martin

 

[notturtle]

not for me. You can push TriX/HP5 but they have nowhere near the real speed of delta 3200, so for me I shoot three films:

100, 400, 3200 (generally rated at 64, 250 and 1600). I am a total film whore, but find pretty well anything works fine. favourites are:

D100, FP4+, Foma 100 and 200. All different and all great.
TriX and Neopan 400. I can interchange these without missing a beat.
D3200 - there is nothing like it

 

[Mablo]

I just bought a considerable amount of Rollei Retro 100 / APX 100 bulk rolls. It will be my one film approach from now on.

For developing the stuff: Diafine or if I want some change Rodinal 1+100.

 

[Vics]

All Tri-x, all the time. That way I can keep all the cameras loaded and ready to go, and I can develop and print it in my sleep.
Vic

 

[NathanJD]

There is great advantage in getting to know how versatile one particular film is and getting to know it intimately. For me, just like a lot of other people, HP5+ is my ‘bread and butter’ film. I can get it in 100ft rolls for under £40 (Tri-x I have only found for upwards of £70 for 100ft in the UK) and I’ve just started rolling my own.

I use other films naturally, but not regularly, just when the occasion calls for something a little different. This thread has piqued my interest to try Delta 3600, up until now my high speed shooting has been with HP5+ pushed to 1600. I don’t have much inclination to try other 400 ISO films other than a curiosity to try Tri-x because I think that every RF shooter probably should at some point in their life.

As for developer, I use Ilford DD-X because it was my first developer and Ilford’s website suggested that it was a good developer to learn with and I still haven’t used it all up.

Only recently (read: within the last week or so) have I become interested in finding out a bit more about different developers and their different results but I don’t feel I’ve researched the field enough to chance a purchase yet. So in as much I’m interested in hearing Roger Hicks’s reasons for using DD-X developer as he has terabytes more knowledge and experience than a relative newbie like me.