Film Selection

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I've had my M6 TTL for 4 months now and have been testing a variety of films. Based on a desire for maximum versatility - indoors/outdoors, various lighting conditions - I've settled on Ilford Delta 100 for B&W and Fuji Reala for color. I like the results, but want to get ideas from more sage Leicaphiles on what they use and why.

Thanks.

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 10, 2002

Answers

Maybe you live in a sunnier part of the world than here in the UK! Whatever the time of year wherever I am, I use 400 speed - XP2 Super for b+w and Fuji NPH400 for colour neg.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 10, 2002.

Not really - the NY Metro area is home. But I've been encouraged to use the slowest film I feel comfortable with because of the M6's ability to be handheld at slow shutter speeds. Is this flawed thinking? Not to ask to basic a question, but what in your estimation are the tradeoffs/sacrifices I make by going with 100 as opposed to say 400 speed films?

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 10, 2002.

I only use C41 colour films: Kodak Supra 100 for daylight and Fuji Press 800 for indoor/ low-light.

The Supra 100 is extremely fine-grained and has a very deep exposure lattitude. The Press 800 is surprisingly fine-grained and can handle mixed lighting sources well, even it if is slightly contrastier than the more expensive Fuji NPZ 800 or Kodak Supra 800 equivalents.

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), March 10, 2002.


I'm going to have to say, I'm always looking for a bargin, and so this governs my choice at any moment. For b&w, I like T-Max 400, 36 exp. I can get it imported for $2.00 to $2.50 a roll, depending. For color, right now Sensia II 200, 24 exp. I got 30 rolls for .99 cents apiece. Why, have you seen something on sale I haven't heard about?

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), March 10, 2002.

Jay: "But I've been encouraged to use the slowest film I feel comfortable with because of the M6's ability to be handheld at slow shutter speeds. Is this flawed thinking?"

Difficult to say Jay, the problem is that to take advantage of Leica's legendary optical sharpness you really need fast shutter speeds or a tripod. Any potential gain in sharpness by using a slower film is very likely to be cancelled out by camera shake.

Sure everyone says they can hold the 35mm at 1/8 etc but do a comparison test yourself at 1/8 or 1/15 handheld and then repeat tripod mounted.

Today's 400 speed emulsions are SO good that unless you are shooting for BIG prints and using a tripod I prefer the freedom given by a 400 speed film.

Typical indoor reading's I have encountered (even at 400 speed) are 1/30 at F2, so with 100 speed we're talking 1/8 at F2 or 1/15 for those Summilux owners - this throws up more questions, Is it better with 100 speed film and 1/15 at F1.4 or 400 film and 1/30 F2.8? I suspect the latter!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 10, 2002.



Glenn, i would like to know your film sources if you don't mind...thanks...

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), March 10, 2002.

Giles - thanks for the response. Am I to ascertain from it that you're more inclined to go with 400 speed as your everyday film?

Thx again

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 10, 2002.


Jay - yes indeed, you also need to take into account your preferred method of shooting, I tend to preset the camera a lot using hyperfocal focusing and say 1/125 (with the 35mm) at F8 so 100 just isn't fast enough in typical gloomy conditions. I still use 400 in Provence or the Med. - outside you're using 1/500 at F11 or whatever but inside a dark church or museum you can fall back on 1/60 at F2 - 100 speed simply isn't "universal" in this respect. Regarding b+w especially, XP2 Super is so sharp and grain free that I see NO advantage to a slower film. The only other film speed I use (very rarely) is Fuji 1600 for indoor nightime pictures - even this only allows 1/15 at F2 in a dimly lit house.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 10, 2002.

I also use 400 speed as my standard film. You can get good quality 8X10's with less grain than the 100 speed films had 15 years ago. Also, the most interesting lighting is often early/late in the day, indirect, or inside, and that extra 2 stops can come in handy. I still shoot 100 speed from time to time, and the color can be a bit richer than the 400 speed films. No use listening to me--Grab a roll of Fuji or Agfa 400 and try it on for size and see if you benefit from the added speed yourself.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), March 10, 2002.

Reala best rated at (80 or 50), and NPH (320 or 250)

-- Adrian Blanco (admar@ciudad.com.ar), March 11, 2002.


The most usual case of poor sharpness in shots is due to the selection of too slow a shutter speed. This applies whether you are using a Leica or any other camera. Unless you take special care then is better to use faster film and keep the shutter speeds up. If you are using a tripod or willing to embrace similar measures when the light gets low, then you can continue to use slower films with profit.

I shoot slow slide film 50-100 (but in slide you are exposing for the highlights, so it is not so bad), but for negative film I choose 400 speed most of the time.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), March 11, 2002.


Thanks to all who have weighed in. Just picked up a couple of rolls of XP2 Super and had the man behind the counter comment on the versatility of the film. Rarin' to drop it in and shoot it up.

-- Jay Bee (JBee193@aol.com), March 12, 2002.

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