which B&W film

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zb3

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I am new to using regular B&W film. I have shot the C41 film before but want to try a go at regular B&W film. I am going on a extended motorcycle trip through the USA and want to keep my Canonet loaded with B&W. I know there is Tri-X and others out there. What do you RFF people recommend? Thanks in advance, Wayne
 
wayne, if yer gonna develop yer own, then tri-x because it is so forgiving with d-76 or hc-110. if not, then kodak bw400cn. it can be developed at any drugstore chain right along with the color work; 400cn is c41, just like kg200. beautiful tones, too ...
 
I was a Tri-X fan but I've moved away from it because I believe its future is threatened by Kodak's potential total implosion.

I like Neopan (great 400 film) but it can't be bought in 100ft rolls any longer and that's important to me ... so I've gone with HP5+ which I previously tried but wasn't keen on as it appeared a little muddy to me. The perceived muddyness was more to do with my perception and not persevering with a development schedule to fine tune the output.

That said ... for your needs I'd stick with Tri-X because it's incredibly consistent and is seriously hard to f*** up when developing. It has amazing latitude and a stop out in either direction doesn't seem to faze it which is not the case with HP5+ as I'm discovering.
 
You must be new to RFF because your simple but appropriate question is going to get you about 50-100 different recommendations, some of which won't even be available in your country. We're a very opinionated lot here!

Best advice is to just get one film type/brand until you're completely familiar with it before you start experimenting with others.

You know about Tri-X, it's readily available most places, very versatile and well regarded as a an all round film, easily processed at home (I do my own and also develop for the local labs that can't do it any more - only pocket money but it pays for all my chemicals) or by the remaining labs that do B&W.

That would be my recommendation.

p.s. I just noticed Paul's alternate suggestion for BW400CN. The advantage of that is it can be processed by any lab doing colour processing. Personally I don't like the 'look' of it as much as Tri-X type films but the convenience of getting the films processed easily and prints done en-route might outweigh that.
So, get one roll of each, test them before jumping into a final decision, and see which one you like best.
 
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Tri-X. Great, great film. I think you can rest easy Keith. This is such a fantastic film that even if Kodak goes South, which I doubt, someone else will buy the patents and make it.
 
Paul's recommendation about the C41 is right on. For your own DIY development any of the top-three; i.e. Tri-X, HP5+ or Neopan 400 can be regarded as the universal choice to cover any lighting condition, processed in almost all developers and deliver excellent results.
 
Unless as stated prior, you can develop your own films, which is sort of easy, go with C-41 chromogenic films.Any 1-Hour lab can do it. The results though can be sometimes catastrophic! Some labs out there have no idea of cleanliness or following basic procedures. Personally doing your own even on the road is possible! i've done it. See what is involved and the storage and carrying of chemicals. Another way is to bring back all your rolls for later development.If using C-41 why pay more for Black and white when the films will be scanned. You can then at your decision, de-saturate the color, with any simple Photoshop.Using an old Canonet on a bike.. maybe carry a small point and shoot digital. I would and i do, now!
 
Steve M. said:
Tri-X. Great, great film. I think you can rest easy Keith. This is such a fantastic film that even if Kodak goes South, which I doubt, someone else will buy the patents and make it.
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Actually I was just checking Freestyle's site ... they still have 100ft rolls of Arista Premium 400 in stock which as we all know is Tri-X. I'm seriously considering buying 1000 feet or more while it's still available as AP400 ... Tri-X is $75.00 for a 100ft can! :eek:
 
Keith said:
Actually I was just checking Freestyle's site ... they still have 100ft rolls of Arista Premium 400 in stock which as we all know is Tri-X. I'm seriously considering buying 1000 feet or more while it's still available as AP400 ... Tri-X is $75.00 for a 100ft can! :eek:
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HP5+ 100ft is $49.95, B&H or Adorama, maybe Freestyle too.
 
Personally, I really like all of the Illford films. Delta 100 & 400 both look great and I like XP2 Super (c-41 B&W) way better than the Kodak C-41. Tri-x is fine, but I find it too grainy for my tastes. I also am lucky enough to have a real local photo lab, so I've never had a problem with development and I don't develop at home.
 
BobYIL said:
HP5+ 100ft is $49.95, B&H or Adorama, maybe Freestyle too.
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I just checked Freestyle ... it's five dollars dearer which is no huge difference. I think that's where I got the HP5+ I'm currently using!

I'm just guessing that Arista 400 will be gone soon as the bulk stocks dwindle ... I wouldn't mind hedging against that outcome!
 
There are a number of good B&W film choices. Stick with the major brands if you are going to have a lab develop and print them for you. It's more likely they'll do a good job on the most common 400 and 100 ASA films. Kodak, Ilford, and Fuji 100 or 400 ASA films, for example, are more likely to be handled well by most any lab that still does B&W.

If I was going to shoot mostly in bright daylight, I'd bring along a lot of ASA 100 film, and a few rolls of 400 ASA. If I wanted to pack just one speed, the 400 is more versatile, since it'll handle a wider range of lighting conditions.

If you are going to develop them yourself, the field is wide open. Take a look at the offerings from Freestyle in the format of your choice. Pick a film that seems interesting to you in the speed you want.

What camera are you going to use?
 
Thanks for the replies. I recently bought a Canonet GIII that is being CLA'd right now. The small size for the motorcycle should work great. I am carrying a Sony Nex for a digital as well. Although I have not developed film as of yet I plan on learning to do that after I get back from the trip. (But not with the film rolls from the trip.):) Thanks again for all of the replies, Wayne
 
tri-x 400(or arista premium 400)
tmax 400
neopan 400
hp5+ 400
delta 400

i dont like slower speed b&w films but if i had to pick some

acros 100
delta 100
pan f+ 50
 
I wouldn't go on an extended trip with a film I don't know at all...how to expose, how to develop are all parameters which require some trial and error, or testing, or experience...that is, if you really care about your photos. If you don't mind that much, any widely available film would be a good option.
 
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