Which ISO 100 or 400 emulsion do you use?

[noisycheese]

For those who still shoot film, which of the following emulsions do you use?

Also, for what application or applications do you use your chosen film (landscape, portrait, street, documentary, macro, fine art, etc.)? If you use something other than the choices listed, please tell us what you use and why you like that particular emulsion.

Also - what developer do you use with your given film choice? Be sure tell us about that in your post.

I have shot a lot of Tri-X 400 as my all around B&W film and am just wondering if maybe there is a better choice for my given application (documentary and fine art).

I am also wondering if in the same category of emulsions - such as ISO 400 traditional grain ( Tri-X 400 vs. Neopan 400 vs. Rollei RPX 400) are the differences significant? Or is choosing one over another just splitting hairs?

 

[airfrogusmc]

I haven't shot film in a few years but I always loved t-max 400 120 in rodinal 1:50 for a 10 min normal development 320 ISO.

Portraits
From a series I did some years back on retired professionals 500 C/M 180 CF

 

[mbisc]

TMax 100 & 400 -- definite advantages to stay "in the family" when you develop the film yourself.

Combination of landscapes/architecture/monuments (no people!) in 120 & 4x5, mostly.

All of it developed in TMax RS developer. I ignore the Kodak instructions, though. I mix both parts immediately, and the resulting stock solution lasts a really long time...

 

[Photo_Smith]

I use HP5 but if I can't find it I'm happy with Tr-x or TMY/Delta or anything I guess I'm just happy....
If I can Have HP5 rated at 320 in Rodinal 1:50 loaded in a Rolleiflex I think my happiness could last a lifetime...

 

[Spanik]

Provia 400X. I do have a problem now as there is nothing to replace it with.

 

[Godfrey]

Fuji ACROS 100 and Ilford XP2 Super are my standards for B&W in 120 and 35mm now.

ACROS 100 is delightfully grainless and neutral with beautiful tonal retention.

XP2 Super has a wonderful, long tonal scale and is very forgiving on exposure, has the bonus of processing in C41 so I can have it run for me at the local photofinisher in usually about 20 minutes. It also scans extremely well, and you can use the dust and scratch removal features of your scanner and scanning software with it.

G

 

[crawdiddy]

HP5+ missing from poll. That's probably my favorite. I'm beginning to appreciate Tri-X, but it was harder to get good results for me, than HP5+.

 

[zsas]

Sunny days APX100
Clouds/indoor Tri-X

Rodinal, HC110, Diafine; depends on what I'm looking for

 

[noisycheese]

HP5+ missing from poll. That's probably my favorite. I'm beginning to appreciate Tri-X, but it was harder to get good results for me, than HP5+.

Yes, there was not room for more choices; in retrospect, I shold have left off the Rollei RPX 100 and listed HP5+ instead as HP5+ is a very popular emulsion.

I find it interesting that you have trouble getting satisfactory results from Tri-X; I suspect the issue may be your developer choice, or perhaps your agitation technique.
I develop my Tri-X in D-76 @1:1 strength at room temperature and have always been pleased with the results. D-76 is nothing exotic, in fact some may consider this combination boring or pedestrian - but it works quite nicely.

 

[gsgary]

HP5, Foma 400, FP4 and just bought some Agfa APX to try

 

[Pioneer]

Right now I'm using TMX100 over 95% of the time and I develop it in D76 1:1. Why? Its a good film with good tonal response. I have been able to get good prices on 100' rolls and the quality of the film is good. There are no surprises when I develop even though some of my pictures may be surprising. 🙂

Oh yeah, forgot. In addition to 35mm, t is also available for me in 120, 4x5 and 8x10 if wanted.

 

[gsgary]

Agfa APX100 will be the 100 film i use from now on, developed in Rodinal 1+50 for 13 mins

 

[shadowfox]

FP4+ and Tri-X.
When I run out of Tri-X, I'll continue with HP5.

I don't care really, *any* 100 and 400 ASA films out there is good enough for me, just want to support Ilford because they made public their intention to keep film alive.

 

[noisycheese]

Looks like Tri-X is the runaway winner - thanks to all who participated!

I have been shooting Tri-X exclusively for the past four years for my B&W work; I always have felt like I was on the right track in terms of emulsion choice. The poll results indicate that many would agree with that idea.