Film Choice - Branching out.

[Worker 11811]

I have always shot Kodak Plus-X, Tri-X or T-Max and developed in D-76.
My father was a photographer and he was always a "Kodak Man." Ever since I was a kid, film always came in little yellow boxes. All my photography teachers specified Tri-X or T-Max. This is just the way I was brought up.

I have been sitting here and thinking that I'd like to branch out and try something new. I just don't have experience with other films. I think I have shot Fuji film, maybe, once or twice but I honestly don't remember.

I have been reading up. I read good things about Legacy Pro. The price looks good. I've read about a few other films but it all seems complicated and preference based.

Right now, I am shooting mostly black and white and processing it at home. If I "need" color I take it to the photo store and have them do it. I'd say I'm 90%-10% in favor of B/W. I would like to develop color at home. I am sure I can do it. I have done it once or twice at school but the lab had all the equipment. I need to get better at hand developing before I try color film at home.

90% of my film will be scanned and displayed electronically. Many photos will be printed on my ink jet printer. Some photos may be taken to the photo store and printed traditionally or processed through a photo kiosk.

I would like to start making cyanotypes this summer if weather, time and finances are all with me. A long distance goal would be to set up a darkroom in my basement but that's not feasible at this time.

I have been considering whether to buy a bulk roll of Plus-X and a bulk roll of Tri-X and rolling my own at home but the prices I have seen on Legacy Pro are quite attractive. You can buy a 20-pack of Legacy Pro for less than half the price!

Of course I like fine grain. Who doesn't? But I also like nice bright highlights and good dark blacks with smooth contrast in between.

I have been using T-Max lately and, to be honest, I just haven't been feeling the love for it. Everything seems to have this slight gray patina, almost like looking through a sheer curtain. Who knows? Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I have had other people tell me the same thing about T-Max.

Which direction do you think I ought to go? That Legacy Pro looks mighty tasty and you can't beat that price.

Or, do you think I should get my sh** together and learn how to make use of Kodak films better?

[pellicle]

Hi worker

the kodak films are nice, why not try ADOX CMS ... lovely look, but soft emulsion if you are home processing. Be careful with it when wet

[jeffreyg]

The Kodak and Ilford films are fine and should give excellent results. I would settle on one (or two) and learn how to get the results you seek by proper exposure and processing. Personally I use Delta 400 and occasionally Delta 100 in 2 1/4 sq. and HP5 in 4x5. ID11 or pyro PMK developers (no pyro for the 100). Print on Ilford multigrade fiber base, hand-coated pt/pd or scan the negatives and print on Hahnemuhle photo rag or Innova fibaF.

[rnwhalley]

Having recently been through a search for a fine grained but sharp film and trying lots of variations I must agree with pellicle that ADOX CMS is very nice but its not kind it you over expose. Another film range I liked a lot was Rolli.

Despite the above the suprise for me was how much I liked HP5 when shot on 6x7 and scanned on an Epson V700. I think the poor resolving of the eposon lens was kind on the grain.

My fav film though (and I never thought I would say this) is Ilford PanF 50 exposed at ISO25 and developed in ID11 at a 1:3 dilution. It gives me the detail, resolution and feel that I want. Developed in other solutions or exposed at ISO50 and I don't like it.

[SilverGlow]

Worker, speaking of Legacy Pro...just ordered a bulk roll of it in 100 & 400 ISO's; from FreeStyle...this will be the first time I venture away from Kodak's Plus-X and Tri-X films....not that I think they're bad,...like you I just want to try something new and one can't beat the price for Legacy either...

[Worker 11811]

I have also been looking at that Adox film but I saw that it was 20 ASA and almost fell over backwards. There is a section on their site entitled, " Think you can´t shoot at 20 ASA? " Judging by what they write there, I suppose I could shoot it.

I think I'm going to send away to Freestyle and get a 20-pack of Legacy and a couple of rolls of Adox.

What the heck, if I don't like it I don't have to buy it again. Right?

BTW: Where can I find data sheets on these films? I like to read up and find out what kind of developer to use and do my homework before I buy. I couldn't find any on adox.de website.

[Kiron Kid]

I have always shot Kodak Plus-X, Tri-X or T-Max and developed in D-76.
My father was a photographer and he was always a "Kodak Man." Ever since I was a kid, film always came in little yellow boxes. All my photography teachers specified Tri-X or T-Max. This is just the way I was brought up.

I have been sitting here and thinking that I'd like to branch out and try something new. I just don't have experience with other films. I think I have shot Fuji film, maybe, once or twice but I honestly don't remember.

I have been reading up. I read good things about Legacy Pro. The price looks good. I've read about a few other films but it all seems complicated and preference based.

Right now, I am shooting mostly black and white and processing it at home. If I "need" color I take it to the photo store and have them do it. I'd say I'm 90%-10% in favor of B/W. I would like to develop color at home. I am sure I can do it. I have done it once or twice at school but the lab had all the equipment. I need to get better at hand developing before I try color film at home.

90% of my film will be scanned and displayed electronically. Many photos will be printed on my ink jet printer. Some photos may be taken to the photo store and printed traditionally or processed through a photo kiosk.

I would like to start making cyanotypes this summer if weather, time and finances are all with me. A long distance goal would be to set up a darkroom in my basement but that's not feasible at this time.

I have been considering whether to buy a bulk roll of Plus-X and a bulk roll of Tri-X and rolling my own at home but the prices I have seen on Legacy Pro are quite attractive. You can buy a 20-pack of Legacy Pro for less than half the price!

Of course I like fine grain. Who doesn't? But I also like nice bright highlights and good dark blacks with smooth contrast in between.

I have been using T-Max lately and, to be honest, I just haven't been feeling the love for it. Everything seems to have this slight gray patina, almost like looking through a sheer curtain. Who knows? Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I have had other people tell me the same thing about T-Max.

Which direction do you think I ought to go? That Legacy Pro looks mighty tasty and you can't beat that price.

Or, do you think I should get my sh** together and learn how to make use of Kodak films better?

Legacy Pro, is repackaged Neopan 400 film. And, a fantastic film. By far, my favorite of the 400 speed B/W films. Wonderful film. Very fine grained and wonderful tonality. Give it a try!



Kiron Kid

[Tony-S]

Legacy Pro, is repackaged Neopan 400 film. And, a fantastic film. By far, my favorite of the 400 speed B/W films. Wonderful film. Very fine grained and wonderful tonality. Give it a try!

If it truly is, then shouldn't it be going away since a flurocarbon in the manufacturing process has been banned in Japan?

[Kiron Kid]

If it truly is, then shouldn't it be going away since a flurocarbon in the manufacturing process has been banned in Japan?

Tony

I don't know anything of the flourocarbon process or it's supposed banning in Japan. I do know that they have no intention of discontinueing the production of this film in 35mm format.

[sperera]

Fuji Acros 100 is a great film...try it.....superb

I have always shot Kodak Plus-X, Tri-X or T-Max and developed in D-76.
My father was a photographer and he was always a "Kodak Man." Ever since I was a kid, film always came in little yellow boxes. All my photography teachers specified Tri-X or T-Max. This is just the way I was brought up.

I have been sitting here and thinking that I'd like to branch out and try something new. I just don't have experience with other films. I think I have shot Fuji film, maybe, once or twice but I honestly don't remember.

I have been reading up. I read good things about Legacy Pro. The price looks good. I've read about a few other films but it all seems complicated and preference based.

Right now, I am shooting mostly black and white and processing it at home. If I "need" color I take it to the photo store and have them do it. I'd say I'm 90%-10% in favor of B/W. I would like to develop color at home. I am sure I can do it. I have done it once or twice at school but the lab had all the equipment. I need to get better at hand developing before I try color film at home.

90% of my film will be scanned and displayed electronically. Many photos will be printed on my ink jet printer. Some photos may be taken to the photo store and printed traditionally or processed through a photo kiosk.

I would like to start making cyanotypes this summer if weather, time and finances are all with me. A long distance goal would be to set up a darkroom in my basement but that's not feasible at this time.

I have been considering whether to buy a bulk roll of Plus-X and a bulk roll of Tri-X and rolling my own at home but the prices I have seen on Legacy Pro are quite attractive. You can buy a 20-pack of Legacy Pro for less than half the price!

Of course I like fine grain. Who doesn't? But I also like nice bright highlights and good dark blacks with smooth contrast in between.

I have been using T-Max lately and, to be honest, I just haven't been feeling the love for it. Everything seems to have this slight gray patina, almost like looking through a sheer curtain. Who knows? Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I have had other people tell me the same thing about T-Max.

Which direction do you think I ought to go? That Legacy Pro looks mighty tasty and you can't beat that price.

Or, do you think I should get my sh** together and learn how to make use of Kodak films better?