Digital BW, The Print

For those of you using film, scanning and printing B&W, what is your 
favorite film and why?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of shooting with B&W film vs 
using color film and converting to B&W in Photoshop?

If you use color film, which of the several Photoshop methods for 
converting from color to B&W do you favor?

Thanks,

Roger

>For those of you using film, scanning and printing B&W, what is your
>favorite film and why?

slower films:  Ilford FP4 and Delta 100

I prefer Delta 100 for landscapes, and for most of my daytime shots.  The 
sharpness and its expansion of middle tones works well with what I like to 
shoot.  I use FP4 a lot for night time photography.  I just ordered bulk 
rolls of each and will be doing more and more playing around with them now 
that I've committed to them.  I use both in 35mm format, FP4 only in 120 
(cheaper for now to stick with just 1).

I develop both just in ID-11 for the time being, though I am playing with 
Rodinal for the FP4 as well.  For night shots, I've had some stunning 
results with Perceptol on the 2 times I've used it with FP4.

Medium speeds:  Tri-X

I like the contrasty look of Tri-X vs., say, what I've gotten with 
HP5.  The grain structure and other characteristics just look right to 
me.  That, plus it's become a very versatile film for me.  I use it 
anywhere from EI 250-320 in ID-11, and up to 1600 in straight 
Microphen.  I'm actually still trying to pin down a time for EI 800.  I use 
this in both 35mm and 120 formats.

High speeds:  Delta 3200

yes, it's grainy, but I like the look.  If I need more than 1600 speed, 
I'll use this film.  I've rated it from 1600 to 6400 in somewhat limited 
use so far and have had good success with it.  I don't really need this 
speed in 120 so I am currently only shooting it in 35mm formats.

allan

ps-I'm going to leave the debate on desaturating, etc, to others...

------------------------------------
Technology Projects Manager
Academic Computing & The Office of Accessible Education
Stanford University
v - 650-996-0546
f - 650-725-4685

TMAX 100
Mark

On May 14, 2004, at 6:40 PM, roger98195 wrote:

> For those of you using film, scanning and printing B&W, what is your
>  favorite film and why?
>
>  What are the advantages/disadvantages of shooting with B&W film vs
>  using color film and converting to B&W in Photoshop?
>
>  If you use color film, which of the several Photoshop methods for
>  converting from color to B&W do you favor?
>
>  Thanks,
>
>  Roger
>
>
>
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--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "roger98195"
<roger98195@y...> wrote:
> For those of you using film, scanning and printing B&W, what is your 
> favorite film and why?
> 
> What are the advantages/disadvantages of shooting with B&W film vs 
> using color film and converting to B&W in Photoshop?
> 
> If you use color film, which of the several Photoshop methods for 
> converting from color to B&W do you favor?

After shooting Tri-X for many years I recently switched to the "new"
Tri-X before experimenting with, and then switching to, Fuji Neopan
400. I like this film for its ability to dig into the shadows while
still holding the highlights. I like the clear base of Neopan. 

I find true B&W film easier to deal with because it's faster to
develop it myself than to drive color film to the lab. I also find
that the film I process myself is MUCH cleaner taking less time to zap
dust specks.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "roger98195"
<roger98195@y...> wrote:
> For those of you using film, scanning and printing B&W, what is your 
> favorite film and why?
> 
> What are the advantages/disadvantages of shooting with B&W film vs 
> using color film and converting to B&W in Photoshop?
> 
> If you use color film, which of the several Photoshop methods for 
> converting from color to B&W do you favor?

After shooting Tri-X for many years I recently switched to the "new"
Tri-X before experimenting with, and then switching to, Fuji Neopan
400. I like this film for its ability to dig into the shadows while
still holding the highlights. I like the clear base of Neopan. 

I find true B&W film easier to deal with because it's faster to
develop it myself than to drive color film to the lab. I also find
that the film I process myself is MUCH cleaner taking less time to zap
dust specks.

I've shot a few rolls of Delta 100 recently and really liked the film.
It's very sharp and has very fine.