View Full Version : What film to use in the big city ??
Going on a trip to NYC and then Philly. I have never tried B&W film and I think this may be a good time to try it. Any suggestions on what to use ? I was thinking of ordering from Adorama. I don't plan on developing these myself....will send out to Mystic labs in Ct.
I don't buy regular B&W film for labs to process any more - too many screw-ups, even with professional labs. Now its all home developed. Chromogenic film is excellent for lab development though. It has high latitude and (at least in my experience) it doesn't matter if you send it to a pro lab or the local 1-hour place. Chromogenic film also scans well. Use Ilford XP2 if you are going to print on B&W paper; Kodak BW400CN if you are going to print on color paper. Have fun in NYC, I lived there when I came to America first; a wonderful city!
Rather than send anything to Mystic, why not shoot a roll or 2 of a non-esoteric B&W film like Kodak Tri-X or Ilford HP5+ & have the roll(s) developed @ 1 of the excellent labs in NYC? You can always have the film mailed to your home address if there isn't time to pick up.
Going on a trip to NYC and then Philly. I have never tried B&W film and I think this may be a good time to try it. Any suggestions on what to use ? I was thinking of ordering from Adorama. I don't plan on developing these myself....will send out to Mystic labs in Ct.
Kennyg: Without knowing anything of your shooting style, equipment you're using, or what it is you want to shoot in either city, the field of film is basically wide open. My recommendation is any 400 speed film rated at or +1/3 stop.
Berliner
02-18-2007, 15:05
I'd go with furcafe's suggestion, Maybe purchase the film in person at adorama...ask them where to get it developed. Or xp2 super is my standby b&w. Walmart (in a pinch) even does an ok job on this stuff.
I am using a Bessa R with a 35/2.5 lens. I thought I would take snapshots of interesting people....from a distance of course.....and interesting buildings and street scenes. I do like the idea of having it developed in NYC. I am a complete amateur and new to the hobby.
I am using a Bessa R with a 35/2.5 lens. I thought I would take snapshots of interesting people....from a distance of course.....and interesting buildings and street scenes. I do like the idea of having it developed in NYC. I am a complete amateur and new to the hobby.
Ken, try shots of interesting people from close up. A nod and a smile will go a long way as far as getting permission and making you feel more comfortable too. Add a thank you and in NYC you may make a friend. If you are new to the hobby, the C41 films may be a good idea. Easy to process, can be done at a 1 hour lab if you want them done while you are in town, that will give you instant feedback. And, I would bet Mystic will do a good job with it too.
Enjoy your trip.
Take a look at this lab who do work for major photographers in NYC.
http://www.mvlabs.com/index.html
I think you should run a roll to them of Tri-X to develop, look who uses their serivces, ESPN Magazine, Magnum, National Geographic, some big clients!!
Cheers, and have fun in NYC! :)
MArk
Quito, EC
Are the above mentioned C41 films ?
AFAIK the only C-41 films available in the USA are Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN. Kodak Tri-X is a regular silver-based film, as is Ilford HP5+.
AFAIK the only C-41 films available in the USA are Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN. Kodak Tri-X is a regular silver-based film, as is Ilford HP5+.
All 4 would be good choices depending on how you want to go regarding processing.
At this point in the hobby for me.....convenience is important. So i need something that can be developed in the 1 hr places like Walamart or Walgreens.
My son recently bought some B&W film at a local Ritz camera, shot the roll, and brought it to Walmart for developing. He was told Walmart does not do B&W developing so he brought it to Ritz and they have to send it out somewhere. So, I don't want to be in that kind of situation.
amateriat
02-18-2007, 17:00
Well, this sounds like a job for Ilford XP2 – flexible, scannable, and printable on conventional b/w paper without theatrics, with nice tonal range to boot. It's about as eas as b/w gets, IMO.
- Barrett
You can always shoot color film and then remove the color in PS if you scan your images.
Where are you Ken? Maybe someone is close to you and can recommend a lab. Or, this is a good time to start processing your own. It is easy and will open up another avenue in your hobby.
Hmmm, who is out there?
MK Photo just left East Hartford, I was depressed when I saw the shop closed, then I ran into them in Glastonbury, that center on the corner of Main and Griswold across from Chili's.
I would bet most places now-a-days send the traditional B&W out now.
Locally I use Photo Connection in Colchester for C41.
At this point in the hobby for me.....convenience is important. So i need something that can be developed in the 1 hr places like Walamart or Walgreens.
My son recently bought some B&W film at a local Ritz camera, shot the roll, and brought it to Walmart for developing. He was told Walmart does not do B&W developing so he brought it to Ritz and they have to send it out somewhere. So, I don't want to be in that kind of situation.That's the attraction of C-41 film - it goes in the processing vat with the color film but it is B&W. :)
If you're ordering film, try a couple rolls of both Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN.
XP2 is nice but you won't find that at Walmart.
By all means start developing your own B&W, but start with a roll or two shot in your back yard rather than an out of town trip. Iit's not rocket science, but there is a learning curve. Decent results aren't hard.
After you develop your own, how do you get prints? Would I need a scanner ? Are these very expensive? Please forgive my lack of knowledge in this area. I am used to just dropping the film off at the 1 hr.
Kennyg, Hope you get some good shots in the city. When do you go? I'm going to NYC & Boston in May (from the UK). Still trying to decide what to take but I think this trip I'm going to go.....(whisper this)..digital. got a Nikon D80 a month back and may use that.
Chromogenic film is excellent for lab development though. ... it doesn't matter if you send it to a pro lab or the local 1-hour place.
:eek: Eeek! My experience is that with "the local 1-hour place" (grocery store, drugstore, even small mom & pop), you run the risk of scratches, dust, dirt, etc. I had a roll of XP2 ruined by one of the oldest photo stores in the US ... they tried to blame it on bulk load, but I was insistent that I knew what I was doing, had done bulk loads for over 30 years and had NEVER had a problem such as what that roll showed.
I have found a local consumer lab here that is consistently good with C41 and scans, so I stick with them. As far as conventional b&w, I only do it myself. If I had to have a lab do it, I would find a pro-level lab and interview the owner or manager before entrusting my film to them.
Earl
:eek: Eeek! My experience is that with "the local 1-hour place" (grocery store, drugstore, even small mom & pop), you run the risk of scratches, dust, dirt, etc.Earl my local Motophoto puts the film as a complete roll into a long sleeve. I then cut it into 6's and scan it. No problems (yet). :)
Rolleijoe
02-19-2007, 19:23
I'd say Tri-X. Every time I'm in the city, my brain goes into b&w mode, and the default tone is Tri-X. Or even Plus-X. Both seem as though they were made to bring out the best look of NYC.
Processed in Rodinal 1:50, and you'll never think of using anything else.
Michiel Fokkema
02-20-2007, 14:32
Hi,
depends a bit on the exposure range of your camera and the light level when you're shooting.
With a modern camera a 400 iso film is the most versatile. Bad film is not around any more.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema
ChadHahn
02-20-2007, 15:05
After you develop your own, how do you get prints? Would I need a scanner ? Are these very expensive? Please forgive my lack of knowledge in this area. I am used to just dropping the film off at the 1 hr.
You can take the exposed negatives that you developed yourself to where you drop off your film and have them make prints from the negatives.
Chad
Kenny, I live a few miles from you and I would suggest the simplest thing to do starting out is to go to Ritz (the one in the new Canton shops) and buy some C-41 B&W. I prefer Kodak over Ilford (XP2) and just let them process it for you.
If you decide to process yourself, you can buy chemicals and tanks at Simonds in East Hartford. I have been doing that with HP5 and Tri-X a roll at a time(120 film). I then scan it with a Nikon and print. If you shoot chrome (I do Ektachrome) then Kula in Hartford has same day turnaround. In fact, Kula may do silver B&W on site as well, I never checked.
Good luck!
I found a website for Kula. They do true B&W developing and printing. Dev. only is $6.50 per roll and 3.95 for scanning to CD. I was thinking of going this route, and then I can select what I like for printing. It sounds a bit expensive....what do you think?
That is not a bad price. Printing runs a bit expensive as paper is expensive.
I posted some shots today in my gallery, I ran into the city last weekend, just threw a roll of Fuji color stuff in the camera.
Kenny, I live a few miles from you and I would suggest the simplest thing to do starting out is to go to Ritz (the one in the new Canton shops) and buy some C-41 B&W. I prefer Kodak over Ilford (XP2) and just let them process it for you.
If you decide to process yourself, you can buy chemicals and tanks at Simonds in East Hartford. I have been doing that with HP5 and Tri-X a roll at a time(120 film). I then scan it with a Nikon and print. If you shoot chrome (I do Ektachrome) then Kula in Hartford has same day turnaround. In fact, Kula may do silver B&W on site as well, I never checked.
Good luck!
Another CT resident. I was a little disappointed last time I ran into Simonds. They have the basic stock, but were real low on tanks and "hardware." I ended up picking up stuff from B&H and Freestyle.
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