4x5 films (color or b&w) for portraiture

[Anthony Martinez]

A friend of mine is doing some large format work, and has asked for recommendations for 4x5 films that are well suited for portraiture. I know a lot of you shoot large format, so I figured someone here has to know a few good combinations. Let's have 'em!

[venchka]

Kodak Tmax 100 & 400 for grain free negatives.
Ilford HP5+ @ 250 for a hint of grain.
Arista-EDU Ultra 200 (Freestyle's brand for Fomapan 200) at EI 100 for delicious tones. I hear that this film is back. Good news indeed.
All of the above developed in Xtol 1:3, continuous agitation, 10 minutes at 68F to start. Personal testing to fine tune exposure and development.
Kevin and Westley will deliver the opposing views.

[Anthony Martinez]

Thanks, I'll certainly pass those recommendations along.

[venchka]

Any film that works in 120 will be fine or better in 4x5. Kodak Portra 160NC has a large following. I have not used it in 4x5.

[wclavey]

Originally Posted by venchka

Ilford HP5+ @ 250 for a hint of grain.

I guess that is a euphemism for "the print looks like sandpaper!" LOL!

But I agree with the Tmax recommendation for smoothness. And, of course, Diafine to compensate for whatever shortcomings there might be: bad exposure, bad composition, bad hair, etc.

[venchka]

There may be some 4x5 HP5 files on your computer. You tell us what "hint of grain" means.

[wclavey]

You know that the one film I can't abide is HP5! LOL!

Perhaps, if all the Foma 400, Tmax 400, and Tri-X in the world disappeared I would use it... but that's a big if... It's just a personal taste thing... Charles loves it - - I stock it just form him, but only a few rolls at a time and only when he is around. I shoot it in the event of a film emergency - - which hasn't happened lately...

Other people may be able to get it to look as smooth as silk - - I can't.

[venchka]

No worries. There are many choices. Today.
Anthony,
Check out Frank Petronio. Online. The RFF galleries. Frank shoots Tri-X Pro 320. He gets great results with it. Unless you can't abide the photographs. Again, it's a personal taste thing.

[The Philos]

I'm going to shoot some Ektachrome today.

[Anthony Martinez]

Thanks for the responses, they've been passed along to Lauren. My personal taste doesn't factor much into things since she's the one really wanting to know! I'm sure she'll do great things with whatever she gets her hands on.

[tropicpine]

Originally Posted by wclavey

I guess that is a euphemism for "the print looks like sandpaper!"

I have found that large format among other benifits allows the use of larger grain films without noticable effect. When I first enlarged 5x7 Delta100 I thought my grain focuser has somehow stopped working. I cound not see any grain. After a little head scratching I relaized that while I was not able to see any grain in the grain focuser, I was able to see details of the photograph.

Originally Posted by wclavey

And, of course, Diafine to compensate for whatever shortcomings there might be: bad exposure, bad composition, bad hair, etc.

Wes: The way you talk about Diafine it could make me look like I have bulging bicepts and six pack abs. I'm gonna have to try some of that stuff.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by venchka

...Ilford HP5+ @ 250 for a hint of grain.

Clarification: Traditional B&W films: Ilford, Foma/Arista, Efke, etc. have a different look even in 4x5. I can't define or explain it. Maybe it is the slightly larger, more random nature of the film grain. Whatever it is, I find it pleasing. YMMV.

As for HP5+ ...

I guess that is a euphemism for "the print looks like sandpaper!" LOL!

That may be a feature of Diafine.

ps: Please ask Lauren to share her photos with us.

[The Philos]

Well I grabbed the wrong film holder and ended up shooting Velvia 50 in studio instead of Ektachrome; here's to hoping it'll come out-tonight I'll develop it.

[Anthony Martinez]

Doh!

[Anthony Martinez]

Originally Posted by venchka

ps: Please ask Lauren to share her photos with us.

Flickr: Lauren Peralta's Photostream <-- She tends to post her work on Flickr. I've been following it for something like five years.