BW Film - advice needed

[yazz86]

Hello all,

I couldn't find a section on the forums relevant to film (DIGITAL photography school, obviously), but I'm still gonna go ahead and ask one of you.

I just picked up a Nikon FM10, and I'd like to play around with some black and white film photography. I'm not looking to shoot continuously, maybe one or two rolls a month. So obviously, I'm looking to use one kind of film most of the time.

Is there an ISO rating that you would recommend I stick to (400?), something that would have a good balance between grain, sharpness and speed for use during day and night?

any brands that are particularly well known among BW enthusiasts?

thanks!!

yazan

[candleman]

i've used 3/4 of my first roll of Kodak 400CN B/W Profesional film
(just got a N6006 / F-601)

the results speak for themself in this flickr group dedicated to it.

i find 400 is good outdoors,
indoors its not going to do much for you.. not inless you have a 50mm f/1.8
i havnt mounted my f/1.8 to it yet

[yazz86]

hey thanks! i do have an f/1.8. thats why i decided to get an fm10. other than wanting to experiment with film, i wanted to be able to use the 50mm f/1.8 at a wider angle and with a light meter (something i wish my D60 could do)

[OsmosisStudios]

I use my 50mm f/1.8D with my FE all the time. I use a similar film to what candleman suggested. In my case, however, it's Ilford XP2. It's a 400ISO C-41 process film, so you can get it processed at any normal lab. Results are fantastic, too. I can post a few if you'd like.

I do also use real black and white every so often, often using Ilford Pan-F 50iso for landscapes or outdoor use.

The only thing you may want to think about is getting a 3 stop ND filter for your 50mm lens as 400 iso outdoors often leaves you in those super-high shutterspeeds even at f/4 and f/5.6. Im often stopped to f/8 and f/11 at my FE's limited 1/1000 speed.

[yazz86]

thanks for your feedback.

about the ND - that was a harsh lesson I learnt when i first got my D60 and the 50mm f/1.4G. I had to a polarizer to absorb 1 or 1.5 stops of light. Anyways, thanks for reminding me, I definitely would have forgotten about it (the FM10 is limited to 1/2000).

How much better is true BW film. I have access to a darkroom at my university photo club, and they are equiped for BW processing.

EDIT - I looked up 400TMAX film from kodak. its about the same price as the 400CN. i'll check out any groups and posts on Flickr, but if you know anything about it, id appreciate the input.

[OsmosisStudios]

True black and white will be better, but having them side by side is gonna be one of the only way you'll be able to tell. If you have a darkroom, make sure youve got the right chems and processing equipment. I use XP2 because its convenient: i dont have to worry about taking it downtown and getting it processed.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by yazz86

EDIT - I looked up 400TMAX film from kodak. its about the same price as the 400CN. i'll check out any groups and posts on Flickr, but if you know anything about it, id appreciate the input.

i just read a thread on these..
apparently the 400tmax gives sharper but more grainy results. but more tonal spread
the 400CN is smooth

(edit)
my next roll i'll get mt hands on a 400TMAX or Ilford XP2 and see which i like.
i have a feeling i'd like a bit of grain.. we shall see.
apparently theres a 200 of the XP2.. that would certainly help in bright light. i too am limited to 1/2000th