[Leica] Black and White C41 Film

[nicholsj at edge.net (Jim Nichols)]

Max,

Armed with your information on C41 film, I visited my local family-owned
camera shop.  I've known the owners for almost 50 years, and they are
getting on up in years.  The only Professional B&W film they had was 8-10
rolls of T400CN; the one they handed me was 90 days out of date.  I asked
if they were aware of the later version, and they were not aware the
product had been superceded.  They promised to look into the matter.
 
I ended up buying a 36-exposure roll of T400CN for half price, since it was
out of date.  It's now in my IIIf RD ready for may next opportunity to try
it.  My experience with slightly out-of-date film is that it works just
fine.

Thanks for the help.

Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN

In the hills between two 'stills


> [Original Message]
> From: Max Weisenfeld <max_weisenfeld@verizon.net>
> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Date: 9/22/2004 4:45:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Black and White C41 Film
>
> Jim,
>
> Kodak consumer films: 
>
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2/3/9/543&pq-locale=en_
US
> Kodak Pro films: 
>
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/blackWhiteIndex.jhtml?i
d=0.1.18.14.21&lc=en
>
> BW400CN (and Ilford XP2, for that matter)  are very different critters
than 
> silver films.  The C-41 films, in my experience, yield less contrast and 
> edge sharpness, and more shadow detail when handled well.  They have a 
> smooth transition from light to dark that I like for portraits, and often 
> less grain in low-light (IMHO).   My work is not the best example of the 
> abilities though.  Take a look at Graham's: 
> http://www.geebeephoto.com/html/l10.html  (the T400CN he uses is the 
> previous version of BW400CN, he must have a big freezer).
>
> Max
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Nichols" <nicholsj@edge.net>
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 12:36 PM
> Subject: RE: [Leica] Black and White C41 Film
>
>
> > Dan,
> >
> > My experience with C41 film has been limited to Kodak BW400-2, the 
> > comsumer
> > film available at Wal-Mart.  In some instances, it appears to offer less
> > contrast and more bland images than I recall from my years of using
> > silver-based film.  I was just looking for comments from others about 
> > their
> > experiences with this type of film.  I have actually made a few very
good
> > images with the film, so my problem may stem more from my technique than
> > from the film.
> > I was also curious about the differences in Kodak films of this type. 
Do
> > you know of a reference website that explains the various films and
their
> > intended uses?
> >
> > Jim Nichols
> >
> >
> >> [Original Message]
> >> From: Dan Colucci <colucci@thehearth.org>
> >> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> >> Date: 9/22/2004 7:17:25 AM
> >> Subject: RE: [Leica] Black and White C41 Film
> >>
> >> James - I have read your comments twice - what are you saying ?  I find
> >> Kodak Portra BW400, used in contrasty lighting, is just superb with
> >> final tonal range and superb detail...Edge sharpness is lacking, but I
> >> enjoy the smooth tonality, especially for portraits
> >>
> >> Dan
> >> www.antiquecameras.net
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: lug-bounces+colucci=thehearth.org@leica-users.org
> >> [mailto:lug-bounces+colucci=thehearth.org@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
> >> JAMES NICHOLS
> >> Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 1:27 PM
> >> To: LUG@Leica-Users.org
> >> Subject: [Leica] Black and White C41 Film
> >>
> >> Comparing results with C41 B&W to the results I got with Plus-X, Super
> >> XX, and Tri-X in the 1950s and 60s when I had my own darkroom, I have
> >> been somewhat disappointed.  Though, without a darkroom, it appears to
> >> be the most convenient way to shoot B&W.  However, after pulling the
> >> image below from a cluttered negative taken amid the confusion of a
> >> wedding rehearsal supper, I find that, if I do my job, the film will
> >> take care of itself.  The image shows the bride-to-be, my
granddaughter,
> >> in a reflective mood after a busy day, with an even busier day ahead.
> >>
> >> http://gallery.leica-users.org/Musings/Bride_to_Be
> >>
> >> Leica IIIf RD, Summitar 5cm f/2.0
> >> Exposure 1/50 at f/2.8
> >> Kodak BW400-2
> >>
> >>
> >> JAMES NICHOLS
> >> nicholsj@edge.net
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Leica Users Group.
> >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Leica Users Group.
> >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Leica Users Group.
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>
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