Travel to C.America,which film: PX or TRI-X?

[Jaans]

I am in the process of planning a trip to some countries in Central America, namely Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and Belize.

I am all for simplicity with most things with photography, so I will travel with one Leica body, two lens and lots of film.

I really adore Kodak Plus-X 125,TRI-X 400 and also love Neopan 400,1600.

For the sake of convenience I have decided to take one film primarily for daylight work, either the TRI-X or Plus-X, and Neopan 1600 for night work. I won't be taking Neopan 400 for simplicity sake when I return to process.

SO MY CONUNDRUM IS THIS: I want to knife open those expected long shadows, so should I shoot Plus-X 125 at box speed or take TRI-X and shoot it at 200? I don't want blown highlights as I realize it can get very strong sun there.

In addition, I will probably be using Rodinal when I return to process, and use the D76 1:1 for the Neopan 1600. Grain is not a factor in my ultimate decision, big or small, I'll consume it all.😎

I am leaning to the TRI-X option in case it is cloudy sometimes as it would provide me with extra speed, but would love to hear from some members who have been in the same precarious situation^^

thanks!

 

[degruyl]

When are you going? In Central America, the there are rainy and dry seasons...

Where are you going? If you are going into a rainforest/cloud forest it will be very dark at ground level.

All that being said, take the Tri-X. If it is not cloudy, the sun is quite bright. There are a lot of harsh shadows. If it is cloudy or foggy, the light is usually fairly good anyway.

I have been to Mexico twice (far southern mexico is relevant to the conversation), Guatemala twice, and Costa Rica. I found the light bright and the shadows harsh, generally. Mornings are usually foggy, and both mornings and evenings are good times to shoot. Days are fairly short, compared to the summer it feels like. Humidity is a problem if you stay someplace with air conditioning: condensation on the lens.

Keep your head about you. Guatemala city has a lot of crime, I don't know about Honduras nor Belize, Costa Rica has crime, but not nearly as bad as Guate.

The situation is not precarious, merely challenging. An M6 - for example - has plenty of shutter speed to allow you to adjust your exposure with ISO 400 film in daylight, and still use it through twilight.

Best of luck, and have fun.

 

[Jaans]

David,

Thanks for all of that information!

I was planning to go in January, but have not booked yet.

I had heard about the crime threat specifically in Guat. city, so it is something that I will be diligent about.

Funny enough I was also contemplating going to the North and center of Mexico if time permits, so I gather that TRI-X would still be okay for up there where the light is stronger.

thanks again,
jaans

 

[degruyl]

Much like everything else, it depends.

I would bring an ND filter (you have time to look for one if you don't have one) for four stops. Think of it as insurance. I might even bring a two stop ND filter, as well: that gives me six stops in two stop increments. If you used filter stack caps, they take up almost no room, are completely safe from crushing, and you can put a bunch of black and white contrast filters with them (yellow, orange, green, red...). I assume your lenses take the same filters? Well, do what you normally do.

I think you won't have a problem with Tri-X in Central / Northern Mexico. I know you won't in southern Mexico. I shot a bunch of 400 speed film in southern Mexico, but it was rainy while I was there in August. (It would not surprise me if it still is rainy).

Mexico City (I am assuming you will be going there) is very contrasty: mixed lighting again. Just be careful with it and you will have some beautiful shots.

For me, the answer is always Tri-X for B&W. You can always throw on a filter or something. If you bring a sharpie, you can even expose for 100, and pull two stops. I wouldn't, but try that before leaving and see if you like it. Tri-X is one of the most flexible films out there.

For all of central america: I recommend that if you are taking taxis, you arrange it through your hotel, and keep the same driver. You can get them to drop you off and come back for you later or after you call them. They mostly have cell phones, and will be very happy to give you the number.

Don't get too hung up on crime, just be aware of it.

Good luck, have fun.

 

[Keith]

I'd be going for the Plus-X and Neopan 1600 combination. I think Tri-X is less suited to daytime shooting than the slower film and even if you find occasional gloomy conditions on overcast days with the Plus-X the M6 can be hand held down to pretty slow shutter speeds.

I'm no fan of the way high speed films look in bright daytime conditions and can never understand why people persist in using them. YMMV of course!

 

[35mmdelux]

Astia 100F.

 

[degruyl]

Astia 100F.

Actually, my first choice, but he was asking about B&W.

Central America is very colorful...

 

[Al Kaplan]

I like to stick with just one film speed, especially with multiple cameras. In the heat of the moment you won't grab the wrong body. ISO 400 is a good all around choice, and today's films, both color negative and B&W, really aren't all that grainy. If I knew I'd only be shooting in bright light I might consider ISO 100 color and Ilford FP4 for B&W. You can rate both at the same 80 or 100.

 

[sanmich]

I would say, one body requires 400 asa.
I neeed to know that I am able to move to indoor situations and keepon shooting.
unless I will be shooting 95% outdoor, then I would go through the hassle of having both sppeds.
But before I get there, I would ahve two bodies on me loaded differently.

And for the film/dev for high contrast, I would recomend TX with emofin.

 

[Jaans]

Thanks to everyone for all of those wonderful suggestions!

In regards to the addition of color film - I just love black and white tonality and the second stage of processing. I'm also a real fan of Manuel Alvarez Bravo and his Mexican work and use of light and shadow. I'm making some headway with my black and white work, so I want to concentrate on that.

David, I will take up that suggestion of the filters and also plan to use a medium yellow and orange.

Keith, your suggestion of Plus-X is a great one and it pains me to stick to one film as I adore both PX and TRI-X. To choose one is a tough choice, but as I am heading down south where there is less light, then I may go with the faster film. I also sometimes get shaky hands so I may need that extra speed.

I am a little clumsy/forgetful and sometimes forget what my camera is loaded with so I want to remove that possible mistake of missing shots, so as Al suggested it may be better to stick with 400 to remove that possibility of error.

thanks again everyone!