Given the recent threads about film choice, and fims being discontinued...

If we could have our ideal selection of films - any b&w film, made by any manufacturer, any speed, from any era, in any size - what would they be? Let's put some limits on this. Let's say that we could have a maximum of 3 films of a given speed range. So one film in the 25-50 band. One around 100 - 200. One around 400. And one super fast.

Let's hear your ideas and suggestions, and then let's compare it with what's available. Then, if there are major gaps, perhaps we could start our own company, and make a dream range of b&w films!

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002

Answers

Correction! I obviously meant "3 films in the 25-50 band. 3 around 100 - 200. 3 around 400. And 3 super fast."

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

I would love to have ACROS, TMY and TX in 12x20.

-- Jorge Gasteazoro (rossorabbit@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

When I bought my first 120 camera, I started using an outdated Ilford film that sold for $1 a roll at Central Camera in Chicago (it was all I could afford at the time). What I disliked about it most was that it was very flimsy and light, and it tended to collect more dust than I was accustomed to with 35mm film. When I found myself with a bit more to spend I tried T-Max 400 on a whim and loved it for all the wrong reasons – it was very heavy compared to the first film I had used, which meant easy rolling and no crimping, and it rarely collected dust. For this reason I stayed with it, discovered the optimum exposure and development techniques for what I was making, and I have been using it exclusively for the past 9 years. If for some reason they discontinue it, I will try other films until I find one that suits my style and tastes. I have discovered that I would rather spend my time thinking about the world around me and how I can photograph it; contemplating film characteristics on a week by week basis never was much fun for me.

-- James Webb (jwebb66@yahoo.com), March 26, 2002.

Ansco/Agfa Isopan in sheet film. Agfa APX25 in 35mm, and Kodak Panatomic-X in 120. Kodachrome 2, and Ektar 1000 in 35mm. Other than those, I believe that what we've got available today is better than anything made in the past.

-- Wilheumn (wmitch3400@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002.

APX-25, Konica IR750

FP4+, Acros

Delta 400, HP5+

Delta 3200

So, since no-one imports Konica IR750 into Aussie I've replaced that with Maco 820 (but haven't had the chance to use much... just one miserable roll and summer is over according to our weather the last two days!) Once my APX-25 supply runs out I'll probably try Pan F+. Once an Ilford boy...

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), March 26, 2002.