What is your favorite B&W emulsion?

What is your favorite B&W emulsion?

  • Tri-X

    Votes: 277 33.2%

  • Tmax-400

    Votes: 53 6.4%

  • Tmax-100

    Votes: 27 3.2%

  • Tmax-3200

    Votes: 4 0.5%

  • HP5

    Votes: 126 15.1%

  • FP4

    Votes: 68 8.2%

  • Delta 400

    Votes: 23 2.8%

  • Delta 100

    Votes: 32 3.8%

  • Delta 3200

    Votes: 6 0.7%

  • Acros 400

    Votes: 23 2.8%

  • Acros 100

    Votes: 70 8.4%

  • Other

    Votes: 125 15.0%
  • Total voters
    834
Over the years I think I may have used more rolls of TriX than HP5+. Regardless of intensity of use I think I like(d) Kodak Plus-X most of all.

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Orbiter said:
T-Max 400 is a versatile film that I shoot at different ratings with happy results. In wintery Seattle a modification of the sunny f/16 rule to cloudy f/2.8 generally works, and this film gives good results rated at ASA 800. On a bright day the film works well rated at ASA 200. So if I'm packing only one film, this one is it.
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Same here, right down to the city. When it's brighter I shoot ACROS.
 
The silvery greys of HP5+ are the clincher for me. After that, I'm quite whorish and will go with pretty much anything :D
 
I love TriX especially in 35mm. I have also been playing with Arista EDU in MF and HP5 in 35mm. I like them all but love TriX in every form. TriX in Rodinal or D76 is my pick.
 
I have been using Tmax400 exclusively for the past few years. Maybe it's me, but Tri-X seems both grainy and mushy compared to Tmax400. I've tried D-76 1:1, HC 110 and Xtol 1:1 and didn't like the results that I got. When I tried various slower emulsions (Tmax 100, Plus X and Pan F) I found that they weren't worth the extra effort of having 2 different films with me, so I have standardized on the Tmax400.
 
Kodak Double X - it dries flat (I have been wrestling with some TriX this morning - clock spring - and the scanner groaned). The XX also has a bit more latitude for Sunny f16 shooting. Both XX and XXX work fine as does ORWO 74 as 400 iso films.
 
Tom A said:
Kodak Double X - it dries flat (I have been wrestling with some TriX this morning - clock spring - and the scanner groaned). The XX also has a bit more latitude for Sunny f16 shooting. Both XX and XXX work fine as does ORWO 74 as 400 iso films.
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Double-X sure looks nice. Has it been discontinues, or do you need to know the guy that knows the guy to get it? Can't find it anywhere.
 
Agfa/Rollei 80S for the moment
I use a lot Tri-X but it curls a hell lot... in the wrong way.
Rollei curls how film is supposed to roll... scans easier. It also has finer grain since it's lower speed... I can manage the 1/30 of a second inside...
 
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My favourite is Ilford XP2 Super.

Extremely versatile, great latitude, process in "High Street" as it's C41, scans really well, available in 35mm and 120 and I know people who have had lovely results prcessing it in tradiional B&W chemicals - though I haven't had a go myself, yet.....
 
bwcolor said:
Double-X sure looks nice. Has it been discontinues, or do you need to know the guy that knows the guy to get it? Can't find it anywhere.
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Easiest way for me to get Double-X is to call the "Film Ordering Line" at Kodak's Cinema & Television Division (in New York City). Their telephone number is 1-800-621-3456.

I ordered two rolls of 400' Double-X several months ago this way, they take VISA. Cost per roll was $140.76 plus UPS shipping. I had the package in two days. That's quick.

400' of Double-X will make about 80 rolls of 36 exposure film. So it is cheap to buy (fresh film) and easy, too.
 
Nokton48 said:
Easiest way for me to get Double-X is to call the "Film Ordering Line" at Kodak's Cinema & Television Division (in New York City). Their telephone number is 1-800-621-3456.
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Wow. I can't believe that still exists. You can kiss it goodbye in the next two years. Unless Christopher Nolan and Spielberg pony up enough to keep the cellulose running. Unlikely.
 
I love the tones and grain of Acros 100, but the versatility of Tri-X makes it my go-to b&w film. I love HP5+ too and will shoot that happily if Tri-X goes the way of the dodo.
 
Out of these, I use TriX the most (and like it a lot) but the only ones that really stand out and make me think about the film are the 3200 emulsions. TriX is reliable, but Tmax 3200 and D 3200 can be spectacular in their own right if used specifically for the look, esp with big prints
 
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