What's your fav MF film?

My favorite b/w films are Tri-x and Agfa 100 or Rollei 100, and the old Agfa 25; I am curious about the new Rollei 25.

In general my staple film is Tri-x because of its versatility. I can expose this film at 400 and process it in Rodinal, and still have a very refined grain structure, or expose it at 800 ASA and process it in Acufine and also have a really beautiful grain structure.

Agfa 100 and 25 is just amazing especially when you process it in Rodinal; especially the 25 ASA.

As far as color, I like the Kodak 100 NC Portra, and for slide I think it is called Fuji 100F. I have had excellent results with that film.

I hope that helps, I would just encourage you to experiment and find a film developer combination that you like.

I would maybe start with a couple rolls of Plus-X and Tri-X, take the same picture at around the same time, then process one or two rolls of film in D-76 and the other rolls in Rodinal, then print the images and see what appeals to you more. If you have time and interest then I would start experimenting with other types of films and developer combinations.

However, if you do not have time to do this, you cannot go wrong with Tri-X or the new Rollei films and processing it in Rodinal. There are so many choices and each film and developer combination yield different, yet beautiful renderings of what you photograph; it is so subjective and just depends on you aesthetic sensibilities and mood.

Let us know your results.

:s:
 
I'm new to MF, but I can say that Velvia 50 in early morning light just melts my retinas it's so gorgeous.
 
I'm surprised no one has said it: Whatever you like in 35mm, get the 120 version. It is what I do. I tend to shoot the same films in both formats because it keeps things simple. Speed and dev. time (for BW) and color rendering (for color) tend to be the same over the formats.
 
TriX (looks smooth even at 1600 for hand hold indoors), PanF because I can, and some Fuji Super HR 100 found in my Uncle's fridge that had expired in 1992!! It has given good results in that old colour film, desaturated kind of way.
 
For me the film changes depending on the situation. In MF I like the following (plus a few others)

i) Hand held is usually Delta 100 or 400; TriX with an orange/red filter
ii) Landscape with a tripod - Delta 100, Pan F @ 25
iii) Controlled lighting, Trix 320
 
Keep this going. I am learning a lot here. I am sure other noobs who stumble upon this will benefit greatly, I know I do.

I am beginning to understand the earlier question about the kind of photography that I do. Each film has its strength and suitability according to its use. And since there are different users with different needs here, we can get a reasonably reliable list of what film for what type of photography and accessories (filters/handheld/tripod, etc). So keep this going.

On a good note, the local store in Bloomington, Indiana where I am (for school), finally got some film. I took a Delta 400 to try out since it was available in single roll.

Thanks folks.

KbZ
 
I'm just talking B&W here.
Although I'm still using Agfa APX100 in 35mm, it seems there's no more available. My next best choice would be Fuji 100 followed by Ilford FP4+.
Anything slower (say ISO 25 or 50) is going to see you using a tripod a lot) even though the fine grain is very desirable.
Faster film, I'd go for Fuji Neopan 400 or HP5+.

If you're doing your own developing, watch that you don't overdevelop the Fuji. It tends to block up more than the FP4+ and HP5+. The same comment applied to the Delta range of films. The different characteristics between "old" type and "new" type emulsions (including T-Max) has resulted in nice tonality and fine grain but less latitude for process ing and exposure errors.
 
Fuji 160S for general use. Provia 400 and Velvia 50 (for, surprisingly, low light situations, but a tripod may be needed). Velvia 50 for overcast landscape is superb.
 
I use only colour negative film and use Kodak Portra 160ASA for both 35 and 120 film. I spend very little on film these days, and have a store of 120 film - several years old, that I need to spend. It just might be the last film I will be using.
 
As Chris said, I tend to use the same film in 35mm and 120.

I do particularly like Neopan 400 and Pan-F in 120, though. I rate Neopan 400 at 250 and very slightly under-develop. Pan-F just has the most amazing tones, I find. I'm a recent convert to Pan-F again after mostly shooting Acros as a slow film for the past few years. In decent light I don't find the speed -- effectively about 20ASA with an orange filter -- that much of a problem. On dull days, Neopan 400 all the way.

In fact, Neopan 400 shot at 250 and developed in a fine-grain(ish) developer like Aculux or Adox ADX has nearly all of the tonality and fine grain you could want and I could almost get away with shooting nothing else.

I don't shoot a lot of colour in 120, but I do like Portra 160NC.
 
I used some Fuj Acros 100 in my Bronica RF645 for the first time yesterday. I've had ten rolls in the freezer for ages and never tried it strangely but I have to say I'm very impressed and will definitely be getting some more. I developed it in Xtol 1+1 for nine minutes and it definitely has that Fuji look ... beautiful blacks and fairly contrasty which is my preference.
 
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