What's a good B&W Film to get?

Darkwand · 19th of July 2010 (Mon)

I just got my hands on a Fujica 70's SLR with M42 screw mount.
Thought I'd give it a spin but i don't know anything about analog film. Sure i had a camera as a kid but i didn't develop as a photographer escept for the technical bits of a camera i alway's pick that up.

I wan't to shoot B&W because it's said that's the thing DSLR's don't do as well also i'd feel weird not specializing the camera and B&W is relativley easy.

So anyone have a film recomendation ?

Picture North Carolina · 20th of July 2010 (Tue)

Back before the earth was formed (when film was used), I always preferred the Ilford BW films over Kodak's. But to be honest, I don't even know if its made any more.

Joe Ravenstein · 20th of July 2010 (Tue)

Fuji film is still in production and B&H in NY carries it and Kodak and ilford as well. I am very prejudiced towards Fujifilm and will buy it over any other brand. I have been using it since the 60s. I just bought a Canoscanner 9000 film/slide scanner so I can finally digitize all my B&W and color film negatives and slides. That will keep me occupied for months of free time.

BobbieG · 21st of July 2010 (Wed)

Having used film for many years and only just started exploring digital, I've always used Ilford for B&W, and I love it. HP5 (400 ISO) is a good starting point, you get really nice contrast, I particularly love it for more artistic shots. FP4 (125 ISO) is good for finer work. I will sometimes use XP2 as it's processed with colour chemicals & easier to get developed, usually ends up cheaper that way too. Ilford is available from most high street photo shops in the UK, if not you can certainly order it online.

yugenm · 23rd of July 2010 (Fri)

I liked Ilford HP5 before I defected to digital. Pretty easy to develop and all you need for film dev is a sink and some equipment.

ringo · 19th of August 2010 (Thu)

B&W was always my favorite in film and I always rolled Ilford Delta 400 and also developed on their paper. Great products. Thanks for the memories.

.

ringo · 19th of August 2010 (Thu)

Here you go. Have fun.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...879+4291407242

.

19th of July 2010 (Mon)	#1
Darkwand Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Åkersberga, Sweden Posts: 1,766 IMAGE EDITING OK	What's a good B&W Film to get? I just got my hands on a Fujica 70's SLR with M42 screw mount. Thought I'd give it a spin but i don't know anything about analog film. Sure i had a camera as a kid but i didn't develop as a photographer escept for the technical bits of a camera i alway's pick that up. I wan't to shoot B&W because it's said that's the thing DSLR's don't do as well also i'd feel weird not specializing the camera and B&W is relativley easy. So anyone have a film recomendation ? __________________ Adrian My Flickr Canon 7D, Canon 500D, Canon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 IS, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, 50mm f/1.4 USM, 85mm f/1,8 USM, Sigma 70-200mm HSM Macro, 10-20mm f/4-5,6 Manfrotto 055 CXPRO4 + 498RC2, Manfrotto 410 Junior, Elinchrom: RX1200, 2x BRX250 , Dlite-it 4 and 2, Canon 580EXII

20th of July 2010 (Tue)	#2
Picture North Carolina Gaaaaa! DOH!! Oops! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 7,946	Re: What's a good B&W Film to get? Back before the earth was formed (when film was used), I always preferred the Ilford BW films over Kodak's. But to be honest, I don't even know if its made any more. __________________ ----------------------- Fine Art America \| Red Bubble \| Website \| Blog Gear list: Mine is bigger than yours.

20th of July 2010 (Tue)	#3
Joe Ravenstein Goldmember Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: E Tx Posts: 2,028	Re: What's a good B&W Film to get? Fuji film is still in production and B&H in NY carries it and Kodak and ilford as well. I am very prejudiced towards Fujifilm and will buy it over any other brand. I have been using it since the 60s. I just bought a Canoscanner 9000 film/slide scanner so I can finally digitize all my B&W and color film negatives and slides. That will keep me occupied for months of free time.

21st of July 2010 (Wed)	#4
BobbieG Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1	Re: What's a good B&W Film to get? Having used film for many years and only just started exploring digital, I've always used Ilford for B&W, and I love it. HP5 (400 ISO) is a good starting point, you get really nice contrast, I particularly love it for more artistic shots. FP4 (125 ISO) is good for finer work. I will sometimes use XP2 as it's processed with colour chemicals & easier to get developed, usually ends up cheaper that way too. Ilford is available from most high street photo shops in the UK, if not you can certainly order it online.

23rd of July 2010 (Fri)	#5
yugenm Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 68 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What's a good B&W Film to get? I liked Ilford HP5 before I defected to digital. Pretty easy to develop and all you need for film dev is a sink and some equipment. __________________ "f/8, Tri-X, and be there." "Fate, tricks, and be there."

19th of August 2010 (Thu)	#6
ringo Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 84	Re: What's a good B&W Film to get? B&W was always my favorite in film and I always rolled Ilford Delta 400 and also developed on their paper. Great products. Thanks for the memories. . __________________ CC Welcome, I have much to learn Project 365 : BehindTheShutter365 EOS 7D 40D D30 : EFS 10-22 USM : EF 24-105L IS USM : EF 100-400L IS USM : Nifty-Fifty MKI & II : EF 28 f/1.8 USM : EF 50 f/1.4 USM : EF 85 f/1.8 USM 580 EX II : Tamron 1.4x PRO TC : Canon EF25 (2x) & EF12 II : CottonCarrier : stuff

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