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35mm B&W film – sources and recommendations ?
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Hi All,
I’m planning an extended foray into film, and planning exclusively shooting B&W (35mm), as part of a sabbatical away from digital.
I haven’t shot film in any real capacity, and wonder if any of the crazy film afficionado’s here at P.I. have any recommendations :) I mainly shoot in less than ideal lighting, and am leaning towards 400 speed film which I can push in development when needed.
Lastly, if anybody has any suppliers (Irish or online) they can recommend through which to purchase film, that would be great. In an effort to both put the cart before the horse, and keep costs reasonable, I’m looking at buying a relatively large quantity of film (50- 100 rolls),
Thanks in advance,
Damien
7dayshop it’s my favourite source when I need few rolls.
otherwise there’s macodireckt in Germany or Silverprint in UK but they have a minimum purchase and shipping costs are much dearer than 7Day….Hi Gizzo, will check those links. Re: film, you seem to be after the same thing as me – 400 film, pushable to 1600 – do you have any personal recommendations ?
Damien
Fuji Neopan 400, get it in Gunns for about €3.50 a roll
Can be develop in Rodinal.Darragh
well at the moment I am shooting hp5 (400iso) and fp4 (125iso) and developed in kodak d76….
I tend to reduce as much as I can the variation avoiding to use too many brands/models…let’s see what they recommend the experts for exposing 1600…. ;)
Thanks guys – anyone have any recommendations for buying film in bulk. €3.00- €3.50 a roll sounds reasonable for single rolls – anyone have any recommendations for best prices if looking at 50- 100+ rolls ?
Damien
I’m a bit of a cart before the horse man myself but film choice is very subjective and is a bit like asking whats the best medium sized family car to buy.
Some of us film shooters are very loyal to our favourite brands others move from one to another. So you are likely to get a half dozen answers. But what is right for you?
Well before you buy your bulk order, why not test two or three and see if you like the grain/contrast/tonality/sharpness etc etc.
Macodirect.de are very good for offering discounts for large quatities like that. Just send them an email and ask what can they offer. Gunns may even do you a deal, no harm in asking.
As regards to which film to try: I’d stick to just one film and developer till you get to know what you are doing. Any of the 400 speed films by Kodak, Fuji & Ilford are good. Just get the cheapest for now. If you like grain then Rodinal is a good developer. If not, get any fine grain developer which is readily available in Gunns.
Peter
Thats the plan Fintan – don’t want to jump in that blind :) I hope to try out a few films first, if you have any recommendations
Thanks Peter – will check them out. Re: developing, will keep that in mind – I’m probably being ambitious, but am even considering mixing my own chemicals at this point, having picked up the Darkroom Cookbook recently,
Damien
I like Kodak Tri-X but its not for everyone….( no flames please :) )
Perhaps put these on your list;
Ilford HP5-Plus
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/product.asp?n=7&t=Consumer+%26+Professional+FilmsFuji Neopan 400
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/professional_photography/film/neopan_black_white/400/index.htmlKodak T-MAX 400
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/films/bw/tMax400.jhtml?pq-path=13399btw I agree with thefizz to stick to one film and one developer for a while but after you just try a few and are more or less happy with one of them
7Dayshop seem to be moving away from doing the bulk pack orders it seems to me. They have a nasty habit of taking an order, shipping part of it then summarily canceling the remaining part..still charging the regular delivery charge though. Which is slightly annoying.
I recently ordered several packs of 5roll 120 film they had on special, only to be told about 4 weeks later that the product was out of stock and would not be in stock again.
Grrr Arrg!!
I think I’m going to try Macodirect myself.
Fintan – thanks for the films, will have a look and pickup a few rolls
Macodirect/ Gunnes seem to be the choice. Silver Print in the UK also popped up on my radar also – does anyone has any experience with them ?
When checking Macodirect, I also see they sell film 20/ 30 metres at a time, but I guess this is really for commercial companies,
Damien
The long lengths of film are for bulk loading. Gunns sell a bulk film loader (like this: http://www.adorama.com/BLAA.html) and they have the re-loadable cassettes. If you want to save money then this is the way to go.
Silverprint have lots of film supplies but I think they have a high minimum order amount. Macodirect are the best, their carriage charges are very reasonable too.
Silverprint would be my favourite shop and Martin Reed is a very helpful guy. Unfortunately they have a minimum postal order of 100 sterling which can be a pain or useful excuse to splurge.
I’ve been using Foto Impex in Germany recently and my German is improving rapidly…….
I love to visit Gunns though, nobody in London or Germany asks to see the newest pic of my daughter, so they are no 1 in my book when I’m buying.
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