Any love for Plus-X?

[jpa66]

I've been shooting film for a little over a year now, after a long hiatus. I've tried a bunch of new ( to me ) emulsions, as well as have returned to a few favorites. The one film that I haven't shot much of that I used to shoot, is Plus-X. I don't know why. I have one roll in 120 that is in the queue to be developed, and that's it. It's probably the first roll of Plus-X that I've shot in nearly 20 years.

Why haven't I shot more of this film? Who knows? We'll see what conclusion I come to after developing it.

Anybody have any love for Plus-X out there? Anything that I need to know that I've forgotten?

Jan

[jmcd]

Plus-X is a great film, and I have had my best results with it in Rodinal 1:50 with two inversions every 30 seconds, which is Kodak's recommended frequency of agitation. It sparkles.

[FPjohn]

Apx100>FP4>PlusX*and they are all great - graduation, speed and even tempered in most developers. I also use Rodinol 1:50 at 2/3 the box ISO.

yours
FPJ

*IMO

[ItsReallyDarren]

Plus-X / Arista Premium 100 is my favorite film. I like shooting on the wide end of the aperture and slower films let me accomplish that. I personally like to rate it at EI50. Rodinal has been my go to developer for this film but I also use Xtol when I want slightly softer grain.

[jpa66]

Excellent! I'll be interested to see how it compares to my current low-ISO fave Rollei Retro 80s.

[rover]

It is my favorite film to soup in Diafine. Rated at 320 it has wonderful tone and smoothness in Diafine.

[je2a3]

Originally Posted by rover

It is my favorite film to soup in Diafine. Rated at 320 it has wonderful tone and smoothness in Diafine.

I agree and cannot add more....

[Bingley]

Originally Posted by rover

It is my favorite film to soup in Diafine. Rated at 320 it has wonderful tone and smoothness in Diafine.

Thank you for this tip! I recently tried this and love the results!

One sample:

[le vrai rdu]

I love plus X and rodinal

[ItsReallyDarren]

Both Plus-X at EI50 developed in Rodinal 1+100 15m agitating every 3 mins.

[jpa66]

I'll be souping it in Rodinal 1:50. How long do those of you who use the 1:50 ratio develop it for?

[jpa66]

Nice tones in those shots, Darren. I imagine that the images are nice and sharp, as well.

[ItsReallyDarren]

Originally Posted by jpa66

Nice tones in those shots, Darren. I imagine that the images are nice and sharp, as well.

Indeed, I linked them to a much larger file. If you look closely at the cafe photo you'll find me hiding somewhere in there.

I've also had good luck developing Plus-X in Xtol when I want a little softer grain, its still just as sharp but the grain is less salt and pepper'ish.

[alfredian]

Plus-X can go in several directions. For crisp, try Rodinol 1+50 x 13 mins. A bit softer, try Sprint Standard for 8.5 mins. I grew up on Plus-X in Microdol-X 1+3, which takes forever but has the longest smoothest gray scale, ever. With Mic gone, try the Ilford version. I run the camera at ASA 125, but am tempted to follow threads that suggets 80. Didn't know what had happened to Forte - gone the way of Agfa & anybody's 220-format B&W.

[Freakscene]

Originally Posted by alfredian

Didn't know what had happened to Forte - gone the way of Agfa & anybody's 220-format B&W.

Forte went bankrupt in 2004.

Marty

[lawrence]

I have posted this before but I think it gives a good impression of the quality you can get from Plus-X, particularly in the highlights. This was shot hand held with a 21mm Color-Skopar and developed in stock D76.

[Mcary]

Been very very pleased with the results I've been getting using Arista Premium 100 processed with either Arista Premium liquid developer 1-9, following instructions on the bottle) or Ilfosol 3 1-14 following instructions on the Mass Dev chart.
That being said I'm pretty close to using up my bottle of Foma R9 (Rodinol) so I'll probable give that a try with my next few rolls.

[charjohncarter]

Properly exposed and developed PlusX is a great film, just like most major brand films:

Olympus 35RC, PlusX, Hc-110h, probably at EI64,

[Juan Valdenebro]

It's a great film, from Rodinal to Pyro...

Cheers,

Juan

[le vrai rdu]

rodinal 1+25 and plus X

I had deep blacks, nice contrast and lot o details , but still, a nice old school grain , film was 6x6 , never used it in 35 mm I think

[kxl]

I like Plus-X (AP 100) in Microdol-X 1+3 (while my stockpile lasts)

[jmcd]

For Plus-X in Rodinal 1:50 I use ei 64 to 80, with gentle inversion agitation for the first 30 seconds, then two gentle twisting inversions every 30 seconds 'til 11 minutes, at 68 degrees. This is for printing on Grade 2 in the darkroom.

[morback]

Originally Posted by le vrai rdu

rodinal 1+25 and plus X

I had deep blacks, nice contrast and lot o details , but still, a nice old school grain , film was 6x6 , never used it in 35 mm I think

Great tonality and contrast. I've shot 2 rolls with it and loved the look. It seems to be a nice sidekick to Tri-X in 35mm. Sharp & rich.

I meant to buy a bunch of it because it seems to me to be the nicest 100 around (that doesn't come pre-scratched). FP4 just comes out too muddy and unsharp for me.

[gotium]

Yes, yes, yes. My favorite film. Love it. Love it.

[Vics]

Do we think AP100 is Plus-X? I thought is was of European manufacture. I love the films we used to call "medium speed" when Tri-X was fast and Panatomic-X was slow. They let me shoot my 'crons at 5.6 and 1/500 in sunlight. I think I like FP4+ the best of the lot, though I did shoot a bunch of Plus-X 15 years ago. It's just a great speed, whether 125 or 100, it just gives you lots of choices!
Vic