Looking for a fine grain B/W Film and where to get it....

[dmcartwright]

Hi,

I am returning to photography after a very long break. I used to do a lot of my work in Black and White, and of course the materials I used, maybe 10 or more years ago, are just not available anymore.

Therefore I am looking for recomendations on fine grain film for landscape work, where to get it and good places to get it developed. I'm in the Bristol area and there seems to be a lack of decent places around here. ;-)

David.

[zx9]

Hi David, welcome to the forum.
I can not help with processing in Bristol, why not process your own films it's not too difficult. For film and materials I use SILVER PRINT as I live in London I always call in person so could not tell you what their delivery service is like but the shop is an Aladdin's cave and the staff are very helpful. Morco would be another place to try but I have never used them so could not comment on their service or stock levels.

[dmcartwright]

Thanks. The plan is to go back to developing my own in due course, at the moment the biggest thing is to find a good film and then as a benchmark get it professionally done. I also going the digital route, with the aim to produce some interesting B/W images through that media as well.

Thanks, again for the input.

David.

[Benchista]

What format are you looking at? Pan F takes a lot of beating, but there are still a fair few speciality films about worth a look at, and if you're using a larger format, you might not need something that fine either.

[Wheelu]

The cheapest source of films is often mail order from 7dayshop. They don't do chemicals however. When I last needed some Jacobs were still stocking Ilford chemicals.

Fine grain is a function of the developer as well as the film of course, and Perceptol is a good choice. As has been suggested, if you are using medium format, and depending upon the degree of enlargement, you might be better off with FP4 or Delta100 rather than PanF which I find difficult to use.

[dmcartwright]

It will be 35mm, but I have my eye out for a used medium format camera if I can find something good and cheap! (Of course that may just be a pipe dream!)

[Wheelu]

It will be 35mm, but I have my eye out for a used medium format camera if I can find something good and cheap! (Of course that may just be a pipe dream!)

My cheapest (and not worst) was an Agfa Isolette L folder with a three element but coated f4.5 Color Apotar lens. It cost a staggering £6 at an antiques fair - couldn't believe my luck, had been dragged there by the missus and expected to see nothing but expensive jewelry and furniture.

Well stopped down, I suspect that the IQ is better than from any 35mm camera you care to mention.

My most expensive, and best, Bronica ETRSi. Great viewfinder, very flexible system, superb lenses, but with the ergonomics of a housebrick.

[FujiSigmaNolta]

erm...erm...most people would probably have already predicted that I would show up here and recommend a Kiev 6C (looking at how the thread went) . Medium format with SLR handling, uses Pentacon 6 lenses and the Russian ones that come with, are very good. Camera has some quirks but they are workable. £150 gets you a nice kit.

[PeteE]

I recommend Ilford Pan-F+,rate it at 40ASA instead of 50ASA and I can process it in a Beutler-type formula for £1-50 a film: you send me film in a packet +stamped addressed envelope big enough for negs cut into 6 or 4 as you like and you can PM me for my service.