Ilford Films

Pinhole Film Tests With ORTHOTOPOSCOPE SS Camera

by EveNSteve

Running a test with my new ORTHOTOPOSCOPE SS camera (6×12) and a non optimized pinhole of around F70 (optimized is around F130 for the 25mm focal length). I am looking at the following films with EI from approx 100-1600 all in developers I have found that works best for maximum compensation and best overall tonality with each specific film. Reciprocity corrections were kept to just a gerous doubling to time— with this type of camera and work I like to keep it simple if possible. Exposures ranged from 1 second to 30 seconds all handheld as that is my standard way of shooting with a pinhole system.

  • 400TX • Diafine
  • 400Tmax • 510 Pyro
  • Delta 3200 • 510 Pyro
  • Fuji 400CN • C41
  • Portra 400 • C41
  • CineStill 800T • C41

All test results will be converted to B&W as that is my current need with these materials.

UPDATE: So I’ve looked at the film and I am very drawn to the Porta 400 and VERY drawn to the Cinestill 800T when both are converted to B&W. The regular B&W film was amazing but due to the pinhole capture I had a lot more range of possibilities in the conversion process that really helped to bring out crazy tonal separation in the two color negative materials.

Ilford XP2 Super VS Fuji Neopan 400CN

by EveNSteve

So…. I did a film test recently that begs the question: is Fuji Neopan 400CN really just rebranded Ilford XP2 Super? This is my opinion, but it sure looks like it to me! Both films are best at EI 200 and have a very usable range from EI 50-640.

Look at the histogram- they are virtually identical! So very close, shot only a few minutes apart, any difference is attributable to the changing light outside. Hey- I still like XP2 Super… and it’s nice to know that when in the UK or Japan the 400CN is a go-to option as well.

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Let The Film Testing Begin

by EveNSteve

I am heading to the Cotswolds (UK) in just over a week and running one last set of tests over the next few days…. looking at chromogenic B&W films (and converted Portra 400) compared to traditional B&W films processed in Pyro 510 (stand development)… all for the purposes of scanning.

Stay tuned!

PS- and yes that is Fuji Neopan 400CN… very hard to get here in the USA as it is not imported… made by Ilford for Fuji, based on XP2 Super but it is a different film made to Fuji Specs… time will tell.

Farm to Table = Film to Camera

by EveNSteve

Click on the audio button to hear my post on how changing the distribution model for film is key to the sustainable future of analog photography.

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Color Negative film for B&W Hybrid Workflow

by EveNSteve
TESTS400
400 Film Tests
Portra400BWConversion
Portra 400 as B&W

Click on the audio play button to hear my thoughts.

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

The Fearless Leader Schaub 2014
The Fearless Leader
Schaub 2014

Testing Delta 3200 in Diafine and PMK Developers

by EveNSteve

A quick example of Delta 3200 at EI 800…

Delta 3200 at EI 800 (example in PMK)
Delta 3200 at EI 800 (example in PMK)

A. Processed in Diafine 5 minutes in A and 5 minutes in B at 70F.

B. PMK 1:2:100 at 9.5 min at 75F. 30 sec inital inversion followed by 1 inversion at each 15 sec till completed…. and YES I do do the after bath.

For more information on PMK just do a google search or search here on Figial… same for Diafine.

These are crops from a 42″ x 42″ file. The PMK has finer grain but the Diafine is def nice as well.

CropDelta3200atEI800Compare

Viva la Revolution-

Stephen

Note: Test image made with a Rolleiflex Wide TLR with #2 Rolleinar focused at 11″ @F4.

 

 

Back to Paris… Again

by EveNSteve

So I am heading back to Paris tomorrow provided I can make it to Boston to get my flight!

Paris Bound

On my last trip to Paris 5 weeks ago I shot with the Leica Monochrome exclusively…. on this trip it will be my Leica M4 film cameras exclusively! Hint… my next big article here on FR.

I have also been testing a lot of film and developer combinations the last 5 weeks… a lot! I really like the Bergger BRF 400+ in Caffenol CL and Caffenol CH with EI in CL out to 3200+. Rodinal provides a very crisp negative and Xtol is another good choice at 1:1. Another film I have been testing a lot is Delta 3200 processed in PMK double strength… nice range of tones and usable out to 6400 and perhaps 12,800 with proper shadow metering. Today I am running a test looking at the Delta 3200 in PMK with 1.5 strength as at double the highlights get a bit hot at lower EI’s… I want it all- 400-6400!!!!!! Stay tuned!

Oh and the Bergger BRF400+ in PMK is around 200-400 with a beautiful tonal quality. I have heard many people compare the Bergger  to Tri-X… Yes, but only if you are talking Tri-X from the 1970’s and even then it is more like XX than TX. It is very low contrast film which is a good thing for scanning and has a softer rendering then most modern films… perfect for a classic look. In Diafine it is nice but the grain needs a bit of a kick in PS with some structure and a “S” curve to add depth- in Diafine a usable EI of 1600 is not a problem.

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Emulation – Film Is Still King

by EveNSteve

Please click on the audio play button below to listen to a 3 minute discussion why digital emulation “proves” that film is still king!