I'm not a huge fan of B&W C-41 process films...I just don't think they get the richness and depth that B&W processed films can achieve. If you're sold on using C-41, try Ilford XP2 400...I think it's the better of the bunch.
In standard B&W process I really like Ilford HP5+ 400. You could still play with Kodak TMax 400, which (along with Tri-X 100) is probably the film stock that 90% of us who were taught photography the old school way (a Pentax K1000, a 50mm/1.8 lens and processing our own negs) learned to shoot with.
Anyone who has shot black and white film will have their favourites, you just can't help developing a look you like. If you want to do the work in a darkroom then I agree with Shatterkiss, a real black and white film is best. My favourite in MF was always Kodak Plus X, rated at EI 80. If you can't do it yourself, the C-41 process films are the only way. I always had good luck with the Kodak stuff, I think it was one of the Portra films, but Ilford XP2 is fine as well. Basically all you can do is get a roll and try it out.
Do you want to develop yourself? Many don't and if you don't want to start the whole business then you might well feel that C-41 films are a good route, they scan beautifully for one.
C-41 b&w film is called "chromogenic." Your options in 120 size are: Ilford XP-2 Super and Kodak BW400CN, both of which are ISO 400.
The Ilford is a better choice if you want to do traditional b&w printing in a home darkroom. Kodak's tech pub on the BW400CN says it's designed for the wedding photog who wants to send b&w and color neg film to his (her) pro lab and get both developed and printed in the same batch. For that reason the BW400CN has a tinted base so the printer can send it through the same machines as VPS (for example) without having to stop and change filter packs.
Kodak used to offer a second chromogenic film the name of which has left my mind (T400CN?) which was designed, like the Ilford, for home printing but I believe it is discontinued.
Check out the film selection at www.freestyle.com. There are some not to well known brands that are fairly inexpensive but good. Most I think are re-packaged film from other manufacturers. You need to experiment a little to find some you like.
There are still a few black & white custom labs. And like all custom labs be prepared to spend money. I used to shoot a lot of Kodak P3200 and Fuji Press 400, and the b&W cost about twice to develop and print.
Get a roll of Kodak BW400CN and run it through your local Costco. I think you will like it.
BTW BW400CN has enough latitude so you can underexpose 2 stops (ISO 1600) and still get OK results without push processing.
Sorry about that (greg) 8-0, I've been shooting nothing except 35mm recently. Yeah, he'll have to use a wedding lab. But they are almost as common as wedding photographers 8-)
"But it's more difficult to print the negs in a traditional home darkroom than the Ilford, which is specifically designed for that application."
I agree, but OP seemed not to want a wet lab at home.
Gheller, Where are you located? I know of a few places you can mail your 120 to, or depending on where you live, there's a few chain labs that will process 120 film.
If you really are set on using a 120 color neg film as BW, have it processed to an unmasked color negative. Tonal range will suffer less than with a masked color neg.
I always had very good results with Plus-X in either D-76 or Pyro, with Pyro giving results that were closer to the silvery luminessence of projected BW motion picture (remember the phrase: "the silver screen.")? That look is particularly pleasing in portraits.
BTW, if you do portraits of men, and want a subtle sorta swarthy, tanned rendering of their complaction, use a green filter.
gheller wrote:
Wow, thanks to all for some really great advice.
One final question:
If I don't want to develop myself and I don't want to use the C-41 process, are there labs that will do the "darkroom" process for me?
I guess I am asking if I use TMax or Tri-X, do labs (online or otherwise) process this?
thanks
greg
dr5 lab in Denver has lots of options for processing B&W films, plus E-6 and C-41. I haven't used them but I might start. I shoot 4X5 and there is only 1 lab in my town that does silver B&W (and I wasn't impressed with them) and C-41 B&W isn't available in large format.
But there are other reasons for using C-41 B&W films. Supposedly these films scan more easily than some of the silver B&W films though I'm still testing out this idea myself. It also seems that the Ilford XP2 Super has a really wide dynamic range.
Also a tip I've seen with XP2 is to shoot it rated for ISO200 for smoother highlights and a better overall look. It can be rated between ISO 50 and ISO 800 with usable results according to Ilford.
henryp wrote:
C-41 b&w film is called "chromogenic." Your options in 120 size are: Ilford XP-2 Super and Kodak BW400CN, both of which are ISO 400.
The Ilford is a better choice if you want to do traditional b&w printing in a home darkroom. Kodak's tech pub on the BW400CN says it's designed for the wedding photog who wants to send b&w and color neg film to his (her) pro lab and get both developed and printed in the same batch. For that reason the BW400CN has a tinted base so the printer can send it through the same machines as VPS (for example) without having to stop and change filter packs.
Kodak used to offer a second chromogenic film the name of which has left my mind (T400CN?) which was designed, like the Ilford, for home printing but I believe it is discontinued.
Agitate for the full first minute and give four inversions every 30 seconds after that until time's up.
Shot @ 100iso, dev. for 7 minutes. Tri-X 400 loves being pulled.
Paul Mo, I do not do any of this, however, I felt it was well worth reviving this thread, for the sake of learning! I do have the want to try this some day, and, well, maybe sooner, rather than later, if I wasn't afraid of the chemical, unfortunately! I have small pets, and children with asthma, and I myself, am highly allergic to nearly everything, including our beloved animals! I refrain form being filled with pills, so, instead I go the ancient self cure methods, ginger, steam, water, teas,coffee's, and cleaning up my house daily, top to bottom! Thank you for your tips, and ideas, I hope to try these one day!
