When I returned to film photography, I have to confess that I came back as a traditional emulsion snob. By traditional, I mean the old stuff: Tri-X, Fomapan, HP5, and so on. What I wanted was authenticity, and I didn’t think that some engineered emulsion, with its controlled formation of silver halide salts (that means you, Delta and T-Max) was something I wanted to have anything to do with. Oh, I tried the modern stuff — and was disappointed by its overly pure, overly perfect contrast, tone and grain. It looked… digital. And the entire reason I was shooting film was to not be digital. All that may be how the story begins, but it’s not how it ends.
Continue reading…Black and White Negative
Tracking Fixer Exhaustion: My Approach
I used to think that the best way to get into an argument with someone was to discuss politics. I think there may be a close second: Talking about exhaustion of darkroom chemicals — at least if reading photography forums is any indication. But I’d prefer not to argue about it, and instead offer a way to track the exhaustion of a key chemical in the development process: fixer.
Continue reading…Review: Ilford Ortho Plus Orthochromatic Black and White Film (120)
In 2019, Ilford Photo started hinting at a new product. Late in the year, we learned what it was to be — a “new” orthochromatic film in 120 and 135 formats. The word “new” is in quotes because the emulsion isn’t new; it’s been available for years in large format sheet film, but it is new to roll film users. I was particularly excited to try Ortho Plus, and after shooting several rolls of the film, I feel I’m finally in a position to write a proper review.
Continue reading…Film Comparisons Made Easy (Courtesy of The Darkroom)
The Darkroom is arguably one of the leading mail order labs in the country at the moment. Their team has been very proactive in engaging with the film community, eager to interact with photographers on social media, and working to meaningfully contribute to the community with information and education through their occasional blog posts. But the company recently launched a new project that I’ve found quite helpful: their Film Index.
Continue reading…Review: Bergger Pancro 400 Black and White Film (120)
Since getting back into film photography, I’ve been on a mission to try pretty much every filmstock out there. It was that mission which motivated me to order a few rolls of Bergger Pancro 400 from B&H Photo and Video in New York City a few months back and give it a try. I was suitably impressed.
Continue reading…Why Process Film at Home?
Since getting back into film, I’ve slowly invested in the hobby with the aim of lowering the overall cost and having a bit more control over the creative process. That led, of course, to processing and scanning film at home. After processing dozens of rolls at home (all quite successfully, I might add), I have the operational experience both to calculate and talk about cost, and to reflect on the benefits I’m seeing — some of which were unexpected.
Continue reading…An Unexpected Question: What Film Would I Recommend?
I was recently asked a question by someone new to film photography, a question I never expected, and have never been asked before: What film would I recommend — black and white, as well as color — for someone new to film photography? Well, for sure, it made me think.
Continue reading…Review: CatLABS X FILM 80 Black and White Film (120)
One film I don’t hear that much about — which is a shame — is an interesting one from CatLABS, called X FILM 80. This traditional slow-speed film is supposedly modeled after Kodak’s iconic Panatomic-X black and white film, which has been discontinued for decades now. Many forum posts seem to effectively dismiss this film as an imposter — Shanghai GP3 in a different box — but it’s among my favorites at the moment.
Continue reading…Review: Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 Black and White Films (120)
Let’s face it: Shooting film is not exactly the cheapest of all possible endeavors. And many of us are looking for ways to shave a few bucks off the cost of our favorite hobby. That’s originally what got me to try Foma Bohemia‘s three primary film stocks — all under the Fomapan name — but it’s not what’s kept me using them.
Continue reading…Accidental Cross-Processing: Outstanding (and Unexpected) Results
On a recent trip to New Jersey, I picked-up a Hasselblad 503CW. (Edited: I’ve since reviewed the camera; follow the link.) Because I didn’t have any film with me, the camera shop kindly threw-in a few rolls of 120 so I could immediately start shooting. Since they also let me choose what I wanted from their film fridge, I opted for three Kodak rolls: Portra 160, Portra 400, and Tri-X. It was a beautiful day, lots of sunlight, so the Portra 160 went into the magazine as my first-ever roll of film in the new Hassy. When I got home, I took it for processing as usual to Englewood Camera. But the results were nothing I was expecting.
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