favorite films for travel/scanning (WAS: Shooting Digital vs. Film)
2002-09-19 by Doug I.
Bob, I agree wholeheartedly with Jim on the Portra B&W a.k.a. T400CN. Finer grain (esp. w/overexposure), ability to use ICE is a blessing, and it's relatively easy to find the "consumer version" (Kodak Black + White, I believe) in a pinch on location. I also like TMax 100 and Ilford 3200 (@3200) if you're into that sort of thing. However, I'm also finding that since experimenting with the scanning as a positive vs. a negative method described by Paul and others--a method that I find helps more w/"normal" B&W than chromogenic--I'm liking many films I was originally not as pleased with for scanning (i.e., TMax 400) a lot better. This is all on my Nikon 4000, BTW. I think the moral of the story is that with a modern dedicated film scanner and some basic skills, B&W film choice is not going to make or break your photos--unlike in color, where say Velvia+ skin tones might not look so hot. I'd start with the films you're comfortable with now and take it from there. Doug
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> Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 11:04:01 -0700 > From: Jim Panzer <jimp@...> > Subject: RE: Shooting Digital vs. Film > > > I recently shot a bunch of Porta Black and White 400 as well as > Ilford XP2. I like scanning both of them and get great results using my > Nikon 4000 film scanner. One of the nicest things is that I can use ICE on > the chromogenic films which helps a lot with dust and stuff. As for slower > speed films I really like the Fuji NPC160 for color and the Ilford PanF for > black and white. The NPC translates nicely to b&w also. Have a great trip. > > Jim P > > -----Original Message----- > From: daintreeriver2002 [mailto:workmantx@...] > Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 10:04 AM > To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [Digital BW] Shooting Digital vs. Film > > > Hi all, > > A few weeks ago, there was a thread on the topic of shooting digital > vs. film. I have the good fortune to be going to Australia in a few > weeks and plan to take tons of photos. I'll be taking my Nikon > CoolPix 5000 as well as a traditional 35mm camera. My question is > about the best 35mm film(s) to take for later scanning and making > digital black and white prints. (I know I'll be shooting in > extremely different lighting conditions and will be taking my tripod - > - rainforest to desert sunlight.) > > Has anyone worked with the chromogenic films -- Ilford XP2 Super and > Kodak T-Max T400CN? How do they scan and do you like the resulting > black and white digital prints? > > Or, should I shoot everything in color to keep all of my options open > and then just convert the images in PS7 use the channel mixer for > those that I want to print in B&W? > > I'd appreciate some advice and would like to experiment with the > films before I leave on my trip. > > Thank you in advance. > > Bob > > > > >