Advice on first film purchase - b+w

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Mattfeliks

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I have just purchased an EOS 10 from Galaxy66 which should be arriving today... my hands are getting itchy :)

I know next to nothing about film (except that I know I need 35mm :p ) so I'd appreciate any help on buying. I want to start on b+w for now, so would something like the Ilford FP4 125 be good? Would I get a good grain with that?

Also, should I stick a filter on my lens if I'm doing black and white?:shrug:


Cheers,

Matt
 
FP4 and HP5 are the two most popular films out there and have been for decades.

Personally, I'd rather use just about anything else as I like neither. For me they are just a little too generic and I'd rather explore the other options. T-max from Kodak, Delta from Ilford or Neopan by Fuji.
 
I agree with Darren, I really don't like Ilford. I've only ever used Neopan and Kodak colour film.

I'll be experimenting with the different Neopans on offer before I go to New York, because my intentions are to predominantly shoot film.
 
Personally I'd recommend Illford Delta Pro, I tend to use it in Iso 400 and Iso 3200 flavours, but the 100 is good too.
 
TheKrikkitWars said:
Personally I'd recommend Illford Delta Pro, I tend to use it in Iso 400 and Iso 3200 flavours, but the 100 is good too.
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2nd this.

I'm more of an Ilford man. I've used Delta 100 which is very good. I pushed it to 200, still looked very.

This is some HP5+ that I used a while ago

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Flickr
 
T-max 100 has treated me very well for years. They recently rebranded to "professional," but I don't think the formula has changed. Be prepared though, some B&W can't be processed at your local 1-hour, you may need a dev tank and chemicals.
 
I'm in pretty much the same boat having just aquired an EOS 300 I'm currently running through a cheapy colour role that I got with it just to check it works ok I'm then looking at some black and white for experimenting. I'm leaning towards Fuji Neopan 400 CN http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/film/films/blackwhite_neopan400cn.html as it can be processed at the local one hour place saving me money and delays while I'm learning then I think i'll move into the more exotic realms.
 
CapnKick said:
T-max 100 has treated me very well for years. They recently rebranded to "professional," but I don't think the formula has changed. Be prepared though, some B&W can't be processed at your local 1-hour, you may need a dev tank and chemicals.
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I was actually planning to do some dev myself, I used to do chromatography so I shouldn't find it too hard.

Thanks for the replies, I'm still clueless as to filters though :thinking:
 
Jumping the thread a bit, I've still got a roll of B&W that I need to get developed (if it's still alive, it's several years old!) - can anyone point me in the direction of a half decent but not expensive processor? I haven't a clue where to start and don't want to go down the diy route for one roll...
 
if you are after grain try neopan 1600 and push it a stop
 
i'd get three rolls of each different type of film so one roll of colour neg ,slide and B+W.I don't know why everyone is neglecting slide film? I guess its because its so unforgiving when you underexpose but if you're meter is working correctly you should be fine!

I'd recommend.

Provia 400x-slide
Superia x-tra-colour neg
Ilford HP5+-B+W

I can bet you'll like slide the most :) well I did anyway :p

use http://www.7dayshop.com to order as they're very cheap!
 
a1ex2001 said:
I'm in pretty much the same boat having just aquired an EOS 300 I'm currently running through a cheapy colour role that I got with it just to check it works ok I'm then looking at some black and white for experimenting. I'm leaning towards Fuji Neopan 400 CN http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/film/films/blackwhite_neopan400cn.html as it can be processed at the local one hour place saving me money and delays while I'm learning then I think i'll move into the more exotic realms.
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Whilst high street processors can develop these films using the normal colour C-41 process you can get tinted results as the chemicals, papers and inks used are for colour, and not true B&W products. Some are Ok, some give a pink cast.
 
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