got film?

[ThePhilosopher]

Neopan and Efke. I also like my expired Plus-X.

[venchka]

Tri-X for that gritty film look. New Tmax 400 looks almost like digital. Neither is bad, just different.

ps: Different films have their own unique character. Something I find lacking in digital.

Marco, use the Tri-X. It teams perfectly with Plus-X for different lighting situations. The same can be said of the Tmax films with much finer grain. Grain is good.

[henrysamson]

Tri-x is great stuff. I shoot tons of it in 35mm. I never enlarge it greater than 5x7 and it is plenty sharp for that.

[marcosb]

Thankx Wayne

Hank how big of a print can I do fron the 120 film

and thank you all for every little tip

you all make this apprentice happy

[Daniel W.]

I did a 36x36 from a 6x6 neg (Neopan 400 at box speed). I attempted to do a larger one but couldn't mount the enlarger to the wall... putting it up at "inspection" distance (with a loupe) it was meh, but at 3-4' away it was still good.

It also may have been the setup, a Kiev88 and arsat 80/2.8 at 2.8 isn't the sharpest combo.

[venchka]

Marcos,
Frrestyle's house brand Arista Premium 35mm films are made by Kodak.
The Arista Premium 400 IS Tri-X. The Premium 100 IS Plus-X. The price for fresh brand new film is very low. Use it a lot.
35mm Plus-X in Rodinal.........





With the right negative you can make wall size prints from 120. 16x20s are a piece of cake.

[henrysamson]

Originally Posted by marcosb

Thankx Wayne

Hank how big of a print can I do fron the 120 film

and thank you all for every little tip

you all make this apprentice happy

I'm not the right person to ask. I primarily shoot large format at prefer to contact print so enlargements are really not my thing. My one compromise is 35mm -> 5x7 prints for portability and convenience. Lots of portraits and travel stuff when I have to travel light.

I used to print 6 x 4.5 negatives (medium format) up to 8x10 sometimes. But then again, I won't print 4x5 negatives over 8x10 either. It is not just the grain and sharpness. It is the tonality of bigger enlargements that I don't like for MY own work. So you have to decide for yourself.

If you want an 8x10 inch print, get an 8x10 inch camera!

Just kidding.

Actually, if you want some advice (for 35mm in this case) , here it is:

For now, just shoot a lot and stick to one film (Tri-x) and one developer (HC110). Stick to one print size (5x7) and one paper (Ilford Fiber Multigrade IV) and developer (Dektol). Learn the combination inside and out, it will take a long time.

MY CHOICES are in parenthesis. The only non large format I use is 35mm as described above. If there is a photographer who's work you admire then try to find out what they used and start with that (including format if possible). Then you will know, regardless of YOUR results, it is not the materials. It can be done, you just have to learn how and if you work long and hard enough, you will. If you keep switching film/developer/paper/etc it will just take longer. Avoid the temptation to use a film/developer/paper/etc because it is cheap or free. Your time is valuable, it's all you have.

[venchka]

If we get started with the one film+one developer throwdown..................things might get ugly.

There are as many one film & one developer combinations as there photographers.

Plus-X in Xtol 1:3.

I was never here.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by henrysamson

Avoid the temptation to use a film/developer/paper/etc because it is cheap or free. Your time is valuable, it's all you have.

Listen to Hank, he is a voice of reason.

I personally won't go past 6 X 9 with 35mm.


The last line is important. You have spent hundreds of dollars on a camera and lenses.

Why in the world would you risk wasting your time on old expired film.

The film is the cheapest part of the whole equation.

Buy good, fresh film, that will meet your needs. Then learn it.

[venchka]

What Kevin said. That is the reason I pointed out the Freestyle house brand film that is really Kodak film for a LOT less money. Outdated Kodak film for half price may have cost as much or more than fresh Arista film. By all means use fresh film. Shop around for the best price. Store it in a cold place. It will last at least until the expiration date. I can prove it lasts longer but I'm too cheap to throw away film. I will make an exception for the 4x5 Plus-X that expired in 1976 and stored at room temperature.

MY BAD! I just realized that you got 120 Tri-X. Keep it cold and it will be fine. I thought we were talking about 35mm film.

[Daniel W.]

Wish Freestyle did the red-box premium for 120, alas we're stuck to sprocket holes...

[venchka]

Yes. Darn shame. All of their house brand 120 is Foma. Not bad. Not Kodak.

[Murph]

Tri-X was for many, many years my film of choice. It had a "look", that for me, was what I wanted, and what I liked. I shot either Tech Pan or Tri-X in later years before cost made me give up film and developing.

[venchka]

Right. Like computers/software/storage/cards/readers/printers/ink/paper are cheap?
Not picking on you Murph. I'm always amazed by the expense of digital while folks claim film is expensive.

[marcosb]

Thanks everyone for your good advice and knowledge. I really appreciate everyones help.