Topic: film recommendation?

[loloholmes]

Hey!

I want to get back in to shooting b&w film. It's been ages!!
I just got a Diana Mini and was looking for a recommendation for a black and white film to use in it. Something nice and contrasty!

thanks!

[moominsean]

i find that fuji acros does the job quite well. contrast isn't something a normal diana is known for, but no idea on the mini.

[Skorj]

I would run a roll of XP2 Super, get it C-41ed at your local shop onto CD, and play with it in PS. About as easy as it gets these days...

[vicky slater]

HP5 +
i like it.

[Minutefilm]

Personally I like to use fast films in toy cameras.  Then at least if there is nothing sharp in the image the grain will be.  You can get away with a lot if you have sharp grain!  anything over 400ISO and if you have the inclination dev it yourself in Rodinal.

Ben

[Nigel]

ask 12 photographers about film you get 13 different answers. 

for me Tri-X and Rodinal everytime.

[Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes.]

ask 12 photographers about film you get 13 different answers. 

for me Tri-X and Rodinal everytime.

Must have been a short discussion that day ?

[LT]

all film is contrasty if you expose and develop it with contrast in mind.  I always use hp5+ in toycameras. 

[Ed Wenn]

Nigel & Ken beat me to it. I'm surprised that there have only been this many different answers so far.
 

The only thing I'll add is that if the Diana mini is anything like the original Dianas - and if you've not used a toy camera before - you'd be well to start with faster film (say ASA400) for the first few shoots. People seem to get better results from the first few times round the block if they use 400 over a slower film. Then, once you're used to it you can slow down a bit if you need different results. I used 400 speed film for years when I started out with Holgas and Dianas and it served me well. Unless you live in Arizona...or somewhere else where it's very light most of the time in which case ASA100 will do you just fine.

For ease of use I'd go with Skorj's suggestion though (unless you'll be processing it yourself).

Another option is to buy whatever's cheapest.

....oh, and welcome to Filmwasters.
 

[Ken B: eyes, I just do eyes.]

Nigel & Ken beat me to it. I'm surprised that there have only been this many different answers so far.
 

Well Ed, I am surprised to, mostly at yourself for letting such weak and wet answer parade as forum responses to a new member. None of the answers have had any level of disdain, arrogance, elitism, sarcasm or egotism within them. Secondly none of the forum members have tried to intimidate the new member with dismissive "everybody knows that do  we have to go over it again" styled responses.

Frankly I am disgusted in your level of moderation. We just can't have this level of easy going acceptance of new members, frankly when compared to other photographic forums this one lags greatly behind in the traditional pyramid build of post peeing alpha male know it alls lording it over any fresh naive and vulnerable newbie to make sure they know whose in charge.

Ed, show some leadership, I think all members should edit their answers to show this new direction I am demanding of you.
















Okay so I am work and looked at every page of ebay and now there is nothing else to do, my Electro 35 turned up from Peter today which is cool but no one here was interested. I'm bored.

[Francois]

Somehow, I'm surprised I didn't chime in to this tread as of yet.
I think subconsciously, it was a plot to force Ed to reply before I did
And a fine answer he gave... so I don't have much to add to it.
In the instructions, they say Sunny=100ISO Dark=400ISO...
Don't forget that underexposed negatives always tend to be brownish.
I used some 400 film last winter in my mini (snow makes everything a lot lighter) and had no problem.
But things will be different in more tropical regions.

[loloholmes]

all film is contrasty if you expose and develop it with contrast in mind.  I always use hp5+ in toycameras. 

thanks for point this out! i won't be developing it myself but i will be sure to mention that i would like the results to be contrasty when i take it into the lab.


thanks for the replies guys!

[Ed Wenn]

Perhaps you're right, Ken....maybe we need to toughen up on this forum? Could I also take this opportunity to complement you on throwing off the stereotypical, "brash Aussie male" mantle and embracing your softer side.

 

Good news on the re-born Electro. Peter's a clever chap isn't he?

[astrobeck]

I like and use Hp 5 also like FP4

It's bright here (NM) so I stick a red filter on for some extra ooomph!

Welcome to the mad house!