I too use Ilford FP4 and HP5 a great deal of the time, mostly because of price and availability. However, I am surprised nobody has mentioned Kodak Tmax! To my eye TMax 100 is the sharpest film with the best contrast I have ever used, followed closely by TMax 400.
Exactly, I’m an HP5 guy. I only shoot film on vintage cameras, 50s to the early 80s. Tried other bw film but I always think, doh, should have stuck with HP5. Still have other film stock I haven’t yet tried….👍📸
This is great. I’ve always struggled getting that contrast. Doesn’t help I never use the same camera twice. Ha. Doing it in Lightroom even never quite gets the look I want in post either. D-76 usually. This might help! I’d love to see some side by side comparisons of results shot at box then +1.
I love the exposure latitude of HP5 - My metering method: point the camera at the subject, press the shutter release and semi-stand develop the film. Great results every time.
Oh and by the way, I think that reflective metering is a more flexible way of exposing an image. Metering with the dome will always give you a neutral grey - but I like my faces rather white in b/w. So using a reflective spotmeter and Ansel Adams zone system gives me the best results. But since I know your work and that your exposure is always spot on, your way of metering is obviously working splendidly, too!
Informative. Thanks. The problem with Tri-X curling - it annoys me, but it never occurred to me to try HP5. (Though I find HP5 to be quite a bit more grainy. Can I ask which developer you'd recommend for minimal grain? Thanks.)
Nice summary regarding HP5. It’s a staple in many photographer’s kit these days. I used to love TRI-X but got tired of the grain structure.
I too use Ilford FP4 and HP5 a great deal of the time, mostly because of price and availability. However, I am surprised nobody has mentioned Kodak Tmax! To my eye TMax 100 is the sharpest film with the best contrast I have ever used, followed closely by TMax 400.
Exactly, I’m an HP5 guy. I only shoot film on vintage cameras, 50s to the early 80s. Tried other bw film but I always think, doh, should have stuck with HP5. Still have other film stock I haven’t yet tried….👍📸
This is great. I’ve always struggled getting that contrast. Doesn’t help I never use the same camera twice. Ha. Doing it in Lightroom even never quite gets the look I want in post either. D-76 usually. This might help! I’d love to see some side by side comparisons of results shot at box then +1.
HC-110 Dilution B at 5 mins for the win!
I love the exposure latitude of HP5 - My metering method: point the camera at the subject, press the shutter release and semi-stand develop the film. Great results every time.
What do you use for developer? I have been using xtol since I could remember and find mixed results with medium format.
Kodak HC100/B for five minutes. Love the results and the bottle lasts forever!
Great tip about curling! I’ve been shooting both and want to narrow to one.
Are you eating the HO5 at box speed then overexposing by .5 of a stop?
I'm using it essentially at 200. [Not eating it. :-)]
@@kennethwajda I think spell check got me again!!!! I like my HP5 medium rare….
Have you ever tried Kentmere Pan 400? It might be a little bit cheaper alternative to HP5 :)
Oh and by the way, I think that reflective metering is a more flexible way of exposing an image. Metering with the dome will always give you a neutral grey - but I like my faces rather white in b/w. So using a reflective spotmeter and Ansel Adams zone system gives me the best results. But since I know your work and that your exposure is always spot on, your way of metering is obviously working splendidly, too!
I always overexpose by about a stop so effectively am doing the same thing. Thanks!
Hi again Kenneth, quick question if I may:
Do you shoot HP5 at 400 ISO? Are the exposure settings you mention here based on 400?
Thanks
-C
More like at 250. I overexpose a 400 reading by 2/3 stop.
Informative. Thanks. The problem with Tri-X curling - it annoys me, but it never occurred to me to try HP5. (Though I find HP5 to be quite a bit more grainy. Can I ask which developer you'd recommend for minimal grain? Thanks.)
I only use Kodak HC110/B and it works great and lasts forever. My go-to choice.
@@kennethwajda Thanks , Kenneth. I really liked the look of your portraits on the Rolleiflexers site.