Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I tried enclosing this information, posted it, but it never showed up. So here's the information again. I personally would like to thank my son, Philip, for compiling this information. At first we thought of including a chart (spreadsheet) as an aid to present the result, but then decided just to use the summary format. The reason being, it was not easy obtaining a universal format by including all the mail relating to “Film Survey”. It came in different flavors and sizes which required eyeballing all the mail. The paradox is that not all mail on this subject is for the film media. We were amazed on the extent of unrelated points discussed. Philip had to read all the mail, acting as a firewall in preventing “garbage in/garbage out”. There were a total of 64 responses from all individuals. We also included some inputs discussed within the groups on “developers & fixers” etc. We are kind of surprised on the diversity of all the film medias used by our group. Perhaps due to my own ignorance, there were film media mentioned here that I never heard of. This survey is by no means scientific. It shouldn't be the representation of all photographers around the world, but definitely shows the representation of at least the folks here on this forum. I'm sure it will generate discussions and the basis will form a broad exchange of ideas and information. Let's keep this discussion going. SLOW DAYLIGHT COLOR PRINT FILM : ================================= This category gives a very even spread between Kodak and Fuji. The division is also even between pro and amateur films. The favorite here is not surprisingly Fuji Reala, with Kodak Royal Gold a close second. I am surprised other than one Agfa entry, no other brand is mentioned. Agfa Portrait 160 (1) Kodak Portra 100 (2) Kodak Portra 160 (4) Kodak Royal Gold 100 (6) Kodak Royal Gold 200 (5) Kodak Gold 100 (2) Kodak Max 100 (3) Kodak NC 160 (1) Fuji NPS (2) Fuji NPH 160 (2) Fuji 100 (1) Fuji 200 (2) Fuji Superia 100 (4) Fuji Reala 100 (8) Fuji NPC (3) ___________________________________________ Total 46 =========================================== FAST DAYLIGHT COLOR PRINT FILM : ================================ In this category, we see some fairly specialized type of films used. Based on these information, some of these films are only offered in stores equipped for pro requirements. Both Kodak and Fuji are favored, with perhaps Kodak offering more diverse varieties. Fuji Superia 800 (6) Fuji CZ 800 (1) Fuji NPH (2) Fuji NHG (1) Fuji Press 800 (6) Kodak Portra 400 (6) Kodak Portra 800 (2) Kodak Supra 400 (1) Kodak VC 400 (2) Agfa Vista (1) ____________________________________________ Total 27 ============================================ COLOR PRINT FILM FOR BOTH DAYLIGHT/ARTIFICIAL LIGHT =================================================== In this category, Fuji comes out the winner. Both the Superia and Reala are equally accepted by the group. Fuji Superia 200 (1) Fuji Superia 800 (3) Fuji Superia Reala 200 (2) Fuji Press 800 (3) Fuji NPH (3) Fuji NPZ (1) Kodak Portra 160VC (1) Kodak Gold 200 (1) Kodak Gold 400 (1) Kodak Max (1) Kodak Supra (2) Kodak 800 (1) ___________________________________________ Total 20 =========================================== SLOW COLOR SLIDE ================= Fuji’s Velvia is the overall favorite here, with the old standby Kodachrome perhaps not as the industry standard anymore, but nevertheless still being used favorably. Fujichrome 50 (1) Fuji Provia 100F (7) Fuji Velvia (11) Kodak Portra (1) Kodachrome 25 (3) Kodachrome 64 (8) Kodak Ektachrome E100 (7) Kodak Elite 100 (1) ___________________________________________ Total 39 =========================================== FAST COLOR SLIDE ================ Fuji again leads this group. However, Kodak offers more variety in both Kodachrome and Ektachrome. The clear winning here is Fuji Provia. Kodak Ektachrome 400 (5) Kodak Portra (2) Kodachrome 200 (9) Kodak EPJ-320 (1) Kodak E100VS (1) Kodak Ektachrome 200 (2) Fuji Provia 400f (15) Fuji Sensia (2) GAF 500 (1) Astia (1) ___________________________________________ Total 39 =========================================== SLOW BLACK & WHITE =================== The B&W category seems to have quite a bit of cross-boundary more dependent upon darkroom chemicals. A lot of responses in the survey also include the chemical and film combinations. But due to the limited resources here, it would be outside of the scope to include chemical mediums, Here we don’t see the overwhelming representation of Fuji or Kodak. In fact Fuji have only the Acros. Kodak’s Tri-X and T-max is well favored, but the winner is Ilford Delta. New Lucky 100 (1) Ilford Delta 100 (7) Ilford Pan-F (5) Fuji Acros (6) Agfa APX 25 (1) Agfa 100 (4) AGFAPAN 250 (1) FP4 (4) Kodak Tech-Pan (2) Kodak Supra 100 (1) Kodak Pan-X (2) Tri-X (5) T-MAX (6) Efke BK14 (1) Efke KB25 (3) Efke KB100 (2) ___________________________________________ Total 51 =========================================== FAST BLACK & WHITE ================== This groups is more dependent on chemical preference in pushing the film media during development in gaining contrast and speed. Again, it is outside of the scope of this survey to include chemicals. Fuji Neopan 400 (2) Fuji Neopan 1600 (9) Kodak Supra 400 (3) Kodak Portra B&W (1) Kodak 3200 (3) T-Max 3200 (3) Tri-X (9) Ilford Delta 400 (5) Ilford Delta 3200 (8) Ilford XP2 (1) Ilford HP5 (7) Freestyle Arista 400 (1) Agfa APX 400 (3) T400CN (1) ___________________________________________ Total 56 =========================================== In the B&W category, quite a few multiple choices of preference were submitted. This is perhaps, B&W offers more latitude in controlling the result based on different situations. Also, B&W outnumber color film preferences by a ratio of about 4 to 5. The following excerpts are some interesting input provided by the group in their film selection criteria. I included some of these input from members to further expand on the topic of film and chemical discussions. **************************************************** From : TTAbrahams@aol.com These days I shoot mainly black and white, but if requested I will load up with color too. Black & white: Tri-X, mainly in D-76 1:1 10" but occasionally in FX-37/Xtol. Fuji ACROS 100 ASA in Beutler or Rodinal 1:100 Fuji Neopan F @ 40 ASA in either PMK or Beutler (works very well in D-23 too) EFKE 25 (when I can find it) Rodinal 1:150, stand developed for 90" and rated at 50 ASA. Color: Superia for general shooting. Reala for interiors with awful mix of lightsources. For interesting black/white I use AGFAPAN 250. This is a movie stock that the local AGFA rep gave me years ago. They had a mixed bag of emulsions and rather than sending it for destruction, he offered it to me. Comes in 400 feet rolls and over the years I have shot about 4000 feet of it. Still have 1600 feet left. It is an old style emulsion, rich in silver and biased to mid-tones. It does tend to make everybody look like Marlene Dietrich. High basefog but prints well. Usually I rate it at ASA 200 and run it in PMK, but it can be rated at 320 and developed in D-76 too. Occasionally you can get Kodak Duplicating film (used for turning negs into positives). It seems to have an unlimited shelve life and I use it at 80 ASA and develop in Beutler. Very tight grain and smooth mid-tones. Tom A Tom Abrahamsson Vancouver, BC Canada www.rapidwinder.com From "Feliciano di Giorgio" <feli@d2.com> Teresa299@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 1/10/02 10:48:39 AM, feli@d2.com writes: > > << > > For interesting black/white I use AGFAPAN 250. This is a movie stock that > Are there any films out there that approach this defunct emulsion? > > -kim Maybe Kodak Double-X #5222 (EI200T, 250D) or Kodak Plus-X #5231 (EI 64T,80D). Both have been around for a very long time, I believe since the 1940s. I ended up using Double-X rated at 200asa. Tonality is nice and smooth. It's amazing how beautiful true black and white motion picture film is whenyou see it projected. You'll never look at a black and white DVD or video the same. I've thought of buying some of these stocks and bulkloading my own cartridges. That and a nice Summar or Elmar would probaly give you a nice period look. From : "Don" <don.ro@verizon.net> Good evening, Mr. Ting: I have been shooting with the Leica M cameras since 1957 and have always enjoyed using: 1. Adox KB-14 and Panatomic-X speed films with the Willi Beutler developers and their derivatives. 2. Agfa copy films and Tech Pan with double diluted Beutler developers are the two that I have been using for the last 20 years. 3. The developer T.E.C. is a Beutler derivative and available on the market. 4. Kodachrome is still my favorite color film. Don Rorschach From :Aubin, Norman C" <norman.c.aubin@boeing.com> I included my choices for 4x5 just for the heck of it, although I mustadmit that the 35mm gets the most use for now. The silver based B&W films are processed in DiXactol these days, but once I fully convert to a digital darkroom I'll probably go back to using Perceptol again. Norm __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html