When you’re in a situation and your reputation is on the line you need something that works. But if the customer, client, or even your own personal project is on the line and you have to use film, then you want something that will work. Like work always, in any situation!
Ilford FP4+
If you miss the ASA-125 rating of Kodak Plus-X, then look no further than Ilford FP4+. A film that dates back to the 1930s and has changed and grown as technology improved. FP4+ is Alex’s choice for outdoor shooting when the light is nice, even if cloudly. It responds well to being pushed or pulled and any developer you throw it in you’ll be rewarded with rich tones. It’s a film that just works and can be adapted to suit the conditions. Plus it’s readily available from any photography store that stocks film.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-125, Latitude: 50-400
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Fuji OG Acros 100
The whole film community cried out in terror and then were silenced when Fuji announced the discontinuation of Fuji Acros 100. They of course then turned around and released a new version of the film. But for James, his film of choice is OG Acros, and he has the film fridge to prove that point. As a film Acros 100 has an unmatched ability to do long exposures with reciprocity failure taking on around the 20-minute mark. But for James, it sings when out doing portrait work especially paired in his Pentax 67II. His usual method is shooting at ASA-80 and developing in Ilford Perceptol.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-100, Latitude:
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Kodak TMax 100
When it comes to film, John sometimes wants to make sure that the film doesn’t add its own flavour to an image. And when it comes to film, if you were to set it on an alignment chart, Kodak TMax 100 sits as a true neutral. Does that make Retro 80s Chaotic Good? A modern T-Grained film that will need a little extra time in that fixer to clear off that purple base but it will chew through your fixer a lot faster. You will get the best results if you run it through the native developer, TMax Developer at 1+4. But you can get equally sharp results with an old school look if you soup it in D-76 1+1 or pull it down to ASA-32 and develop in Xtol for that Panatomic-X look.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-100, Latitude: 25-800
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Fomapan 100
When it comes to classic films with classic grain and classic look, then look no further than Fomapan 100. Not to mention it doesn’t break the bank. This is Bill’s summertime film it responds well to a lot of developers but he prefers it in Rodinal 1+50. And while it might have a little more grain than similar speed film, it’s a pleasing grain and is a sharp film. Plus if you don’t want to go around with Fomapan boxes, just order it as Kosmo Foto Mono 100.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Polyester
Film Speed: ASA-100, Latitude: 40-400
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Agfa APX 100
While most of the spotlight goes the slower APX 25, for Trevor the best film for professional headshots was APX 100. It was until it’s discontinuation his choice stock for any commercial work, mostly because of the amazing tones that were perfect for publication. And while you can still find some new-old-stock laying around, if you want to go fresh, check out Rollei RPX 100 which is the spiritual successor according to all of us around the table.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-100
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Ilford HP5+
Like FP4+, HP5+ is one of the oldest films available from Ilford and while it dates back to the 1930s it has evolved over time. For Bill, this is his fast film of choice. You get consistent results, excellent tones and for him is just magic. And while Toronto has more than fifty shades of grey during the winter months, he just pushes it to ASA-1600 and soups in HC-110 to get what he likes.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-400, Latitude: 100-6400
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Kodak Tri-X 400
Like HP5+, Tri-X is another long-running film that has a reputation for being bulletproof. And for Alex and Trevor, it’s the film they reach for when the conditions are uncertain. You can push and pull the film all you want and it will always look good no matter how you process it. The only trouble is that it curls like mad when drying if the conditions aren’t just right. For Trevor, there was lots of times where they waited until it was just dry enough to get it into the enlarger to print and send on the wire.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-400, Latitude: 100-6400
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets (Note: Sheet films of Tri-X are known as 320TXP)
Rollei RPX 400
John loves his results to be consistent, and that consistency he gets with RPX 400. A spiritual successor to Agfa APX 400 and often left in the back of the film fridge in favour of the slower options. The best thing you can do with RPX 400 is to get your process down, tweak it until you get what you want. For John, it sings when you do a semi-stand option with Rodinal (1+100 for 60′) or if you want that extra crunch to give it a push. Oh and don’t bother with the RPX-D developer it is just a one-trick pony.
Type: Panchromatic B&W
Film Base: Polyester (PE)
Film Speed: ASA-400, Latitude: 100-3200
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, 4×5
Kodak TMax 400
Kodak’s claim that TMax 400 is the sharpest film ever might very well be true at least among films still being produced. And for James, it is his goto film because like TMax 100 it doesn’t add or take away from the image. While it might not be the best film to push, it certainly works great at box speed. The best developer in his opinion is Kodak Xtol, just reduce your times by 10% from what’s on the datasheet. But it also works well in Ilford DD-X, Kodak TMax Developer and HC-110. Just make sure, like all T-Grain film to extend that fixing time.
Type: Panchromatic B&W, T-Grain
Film Base: Acetate
Film Speed: ASA-400, Latitude: 50-3200
Formats Available: 35mm, 120, Sheets
Before the episode, we went and asked you, our studio audience through the Negative Positives Podcast Facebook Group. Special thanks to NPP for being an awesome Union Brother! And while the responses didn’t surprise us with a lot of respondents going for films that we chose such as Ilford HP5+, Kodak Tri-X, Fuji Acros 100, and Ilford FP4+ being the top responses. Both Tmax 100 and Tmax 400 got mentions. But we also had some other films pop up, Ilford Delta 100 and Delta 3200 getting a couple of mentions. Also mentioned are Adox Silvermax, ORWO UN54+, Ultrafine Extreme 400, and Eastman Double-X!
Want a subscription to PhotoKlassic International and are a fan of Classic Camera Revival? Visit their shop online and buy a magazine or a subscription? Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix check out Burlington Camera (Burlington, ON), Downtown Camera (Toronto, ON), Film Plus (Toronto, ON), Belle Arte Camera (Hamilton, ON), Pond’s FotoSource (Guleph, ON), Foto Art Camera (Owen Sound, ON). Out West there’s The Camera Store (Calgary, AB) and Beau Photo Supply (Vancouver, BC). Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), buyfilm.ca (Ontario), the Film Photography Project or Freestyle Photographic. Looking for development options, check out these labs that have our support, Boréalis Photo Lab, Old School Photo Lab, The Darkroom, and Film Rescue International.
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