Uncle Bill
Well-known
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For me HP5 for 400 ISO
and in 100 ISO
Ilford Delta 100, FP4 or Fuji Neopan Acros.
and in 100 ISO
Ilford Delta 100, FP4 or Fuji Neopan Acros.
What is your favorite B&W emulsion?
- Thread starter RobGetz
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KnipsOmat
Established
Voted FP-4, probably the most-used, but I don't have a really clear favourite and like others as well.
On 35mm, besides FP-4, I use a lot of APX-100 (still old Agfa emulsion) as well as some HP-5, Tri-X 400 and TMax P3200. But mostly the 100s because of the grain.
On 120, where grain is less critical, I tend to use a lot more 400s along with FP-4, mostly HP-5 and some Tri-X 400.
On 35mm, besides FP-4, I use a lot of APX-100 (still old Agfa emulsion) as well as some HP-5, Tri-X 400 and TMax P3200. But mostly the 100s because of the grain.
On 120, where grain is less critical, I tend to use a lot more 400s along with FP-4, mostly HP-5 and some Tri-X 400.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
For medium format: Either Tri-X for its tonality, or Delta 400 for tonality plus a little sharper look. I find that a 400 speed emulsion is best for hand-held medium format, to keep shutter speeds up, and f-stops small enough to get enough DOF.
For 35mm: either Tri-X for casual shooting, or a slower film like Plus-X (I still have some) or FP-4 for a smoother look. I also like Delta 100. The combination of Delta 100 with an aspherical Leica lens rivals medium format for quality!
Late-breaking news edit: I just shot some Tri-X and some HP-5, medium format, at the railroad museum. The Tri-X came out ho-hum; HP-5 was superb! Of course, I know I can do better than that with Tr-X, but for this weekend, HP-5 wins. It always seemed flat to me before. But now, in contrasty sunlight, it's a whole different story. It never impressed me in 35mm. I wonder if it's the same emulsion?
For 35mm: either Tri-X for casual shooting, or a slower film like Plus-X (I still have some) or FP-4 for a smoother look. I also like Delta 100. The combination of Delta 100 with an aspherical Leica lens rivals medium format for quality!
Late-breaking news edit: I just shot some Tri-X and some HP-5, medium format, at the railroad museum. The Tri-X came out ho-hum; HP-5 was superb! Of course, I know I can do better than that with Tr-X, but for this weekend, HP-5 wins. It always seemed flat to me before. But now, in contrasty sunlight, it's a whole different story. It never impressed me in 35mm. I wonder if it's the same emulsion?
Last edited:
redhawk
Member
Rob, I have to agree with everything you said, especially regarding Delta 100 and the ASPH lenses! Acros 100 is no slouch either.
For 35mm it was almost always Tri-X, partly due to cost but partly due to familiarity as well. I used T-Max a lot in high school since it was the stock of choice at our (very small) newspaper and as much as it did help create a smoother finished product, I still used Tri-X for all my personal work.
Nowadays I shoot about 60% traditional grain and 40% modern grain emulsions. After having used Tri-X for so long it is a treat to go to something like Acros or Delta and get super smooth tonality and almost zero grain but that eventually gets old too so I try to change it up and keep it fresh. I usually have a good idea of what I'll be shooting on a given day so I can choose beforehand but that gets predictable too. Any more, I just reach in the bag and load whatever it is into the camera. It keeps me on my toes. Lately I've been working through a batch of Rollei Retro 80S. Amazing stuff.
For 35mm it was almost always Tri-X, partly due to cost but partly due to familiarity as well. I used T-Max a lot in high school since it was the stock of choice at our (very small) newspaper and as much as it did help create a smoother finished product, I still used Tri-X for all my personal work.
Nowadays I shoot about 60% traditional grain and 40% modern grain emulsions. After having used Tri-X for so long it is a treat to go to something like Acros or Delta and get super smooth tonality and almost zero grain but that eventually gets old too so I try to change it up and keep it fresh. I usually have a good idea of what I'll be shooting on a given day so I can choose beforehand but that gets predictable too. Any more, I just reach in the bag and load whatever it is into the camera. It keeps me on my toes. Lately I've been working through a batch of Rollei Retro 80S. Amazing stuff.
mcfingon
Western Australia
For me, it's 35mm Delta 100 in ID-11. It works very nicely with Zeiss C Sonnar lenses too. Posted in the "I love C Sonnar" thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113584&page=24
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113584&page=24
Ljós
Well-known
I agree, 2TMY is outstanding. I have come to the conclusion (in the eternal Tri-x versus TMY question) that 2TMY suits me better, now that Tri-X is no longer 5063 TX. These days, for me it is either HP5plus as fast film or 2TMY.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Sid836
Well-known
My all time favorite is Kodak Panatomic-X. Although slow, it is not as contrasty as others and it records much of detail with lots of tonal range. I love it in XTOL or even in Rodinal.
majid
Fazal Majid
Neopan 1600 and APX 100. In modern emulsions, Acros.
Fixcinater
Never enough smoky peat
Current faves:
Tmax 400 for 35mm b&w
Acros for 6x7 b&w
Both in HC110 (5ml per roll) with reduced agitation to keep highlights in check for scanning.
Tmax 400 for 35mm b&w
Acros for 6x7 b&w
Both in HC110 (5ml per roll) with reduced agitation to keep highlights in check for scanning.
Vics
Veteran
Is this where I go to vote for Tri-X again? RE-ELECT TRI-X IN 2014!!!
lynnb
Veteran
I like Tri-X in 400 ISO 35mm but in recent years have been mainly shooting HP5+ because it's been significantly cheaper. Similarly in ISO 100 I like Acros but FP4+ has been cheaper so I've been using that. I voted FP4+ in the poll as I prefer the additional detail over the ISO 400 films.
In 120 I mainly use HP5+ and have been very happy with it.
In 120 I mainly use HP5+ and have been very happy with it.
micromontenegro
Well-known
Fomapan 100 all the way.
michaelwj
----------------
Tri-X, but recently it has doubles in price locally. I'm in the process of switching to HP5. I've tried to like the T-Max and Delta films, but I didn't click with them.
Martin Carone Santos
Member
I'm in love with the Double-x. Just perfect. I use a lit too the FP4 and HP5 as 800 ASA. Tri-x in 100' become difficult to find here.
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
Another vote for Fomapan 100. At least in 35mm. To my eyes it has a classic look. But I also like the modern emulsions, especially in medium format. So if I could I'd vote (again) for Tmax or Delta 400.
regular
Member
the original Agfa APX100.
borret
Member
Delta 100 developed in PC-Glycol. The negatives, which dry flat, scan beautifully.
lxmike
M2 fan.
cut my teeth in black and white with FP4 and HP5, and as il am a creature of habit i have stuck with it since the early 1980's
Wulfthari
Well-known
Interesting, my favourite was the discontinued C41 BW400CN, while for real B&W I like the smoothness of the Delta 400, but I'm in the minority here, most people prefer the grainy HP5.
