Searching for the best B&W film stock - Part Two

Part two of my search for my favourite black and white film stock. In this video, I’m testing out Kodak TRI-X 400, Ilford Delta 400, and Rollei Superpan 200.

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DISCLAIMER
Some of the links above are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission if you click on the link and purchase an item. The money I earn helps me make this type of content consistently.

[KyleMcDougall]

After mentioning in the video that I'm going to stick with lab development for now... I then went ahead and ordered chemicals to develop at home. 😂 Don't listen to me.

[mattdavis]

New drinking game. Do a shot every time Kyle says “moving forward”.

[PerroneFord]

So interesting to see people discovering and testing these films. When TMax was released I was shooting and developing a couple dozen rolls of Tri-X per week as a sports photographer. We all HATED TMax. Primarily because we were shooting 400 speeds at night and often pushing them to 1600 or so. And TMax just went black in the shadows. I shot some on a vacation to San Francisco and liked it a little better in daylight. But it's been reformulated since then. I've got a 3 year old roll of 120 in the new formulation I need to shoot soon.

Enjoy your journey!

[jhill]

I really like how Tri-X looks with Rodinal developer. If you do decide to do home development, I would recommend. Rodinal 1+100 semi-stand for 1 hour. The long slow cook really brings out the shadows and the minimal amount of developer eventually exhausts and doesn't blow out the highlights. Yet it has a punchy look. You don't need to be exact with the temperature just keep it near but under 20c or 68f. Give it a normal agitation at the half hour mark to keep the chemistry from settling.

[GonzoTheRosarian]

The allure with Superpan is that it is a film that can produce gorgeous B&W slides with reversal process. I LOVE Tri X. That is what I started 35 mm photography back in the day. Used to develop it and print it myself.

[andretim]

HAHA -- there was this wonderful and also frustrating little DDR-car at 3:04 you took a photo of -- the "Trabant" !
( We had a yellow one....😆🤣)
Great Video as always .
Very informative and enjoyable presentation !

[jeremyrowlettmusic]

Just started my B&W journey with Ilford HP5 and I’m absolutely in love with it.

[CollectionArgentique]

Ilford films (HP5, Delta 100 and 400) are known for their fairly linear rendering. They require you to push the sliders a little further to get a marked contrast from the scans. What can be a drawback becomes a real advantage when you go under the enlarger in the darkroom. Here, the linear aspect means you can really do what you want, by playing with the grade, split it, dodge and burn…
It's a bit like using a RAW file for digital photography or a Log file for video editing. That's how I work with Ilford films, which also have the advantage in 135 of remaining very flat after drying (no curl), as well as being affordable compared to Kodak films (especially in Europe)!
Anyway, thanks for all yout inspiring videos.

[GirdHerd]

Interesting, Kyle. I love the sharpness and high contrast of the Ilford Delta so I will be shooting some of it soon. I do appreciate your comparisons. You're doing it for me and saving me a lot of money. Thanks. I look forward to Part Three.

[brineb]

After over 40 years, I can say that I am more an Ilford HP5 guy, but also dig Tri-X ... I just bought a 100' roll of Kentmere 400 ... so I am making a big commitment!!!

[ma-bnjh]

I always come back to your videos about film along with Andrew and Denae's. So much information, I went through 100' feet of HP5 and Fomapan 400. I just got 100' of Delta 100 to try out and looking at our video. Thanks for the wonderful resource.

I got the Delta 400 because I want less grain. I just picked up an Olympus Pen FT and half frame makes grain more apparent so hoping Delta balances things out. The wife isn't really a fan of grain, on her 35mm photos, so hopefully this is it.

[grejuli]

I never shot fp4 but i just bought 3 rolls and i am super excited to try them! A friend of mine thinks they would fit my photos incredibly well.

[VariTimo]

You should also try Rollei RPX 400. It’s a new emulsion based on the old Agfa APX 400 formula. It’s a classic black and white film like Tri-X or HP5+ but with a softer curve.

[paulalanputnam]

Love your channel, Kyle. So refreshing, so inspiring. A youtuber who takes nice photos, how’s that for a change? A photo-centric channel instead of the usual buy-this-camera-centric channel. Thanks for your videos.

[Dahrenhorst]

B&W material is a science in itself. It's not just the films. It's also what developer you choose, how much you dilute it, how long you develop it, what temperature the fluids have, how you agitate the film while developing. Ilford films react very much on these variables and can produce totally different results based on this. Kodak not so much, but still very apparent.
When you decide for a film, you need to test how to develop it to enhance the properties you like the most. Developing B&W film is not only technically very simple, it is a major tool in determining the outcome of your photography. You shouldn't give that to a lab. It's like you would, in the digital world, have "developing" a raw file being done by someone else than yourself.

[mhz]

I dev and scan my own black and whites and my Go To films are FP4 and HP5. I actually find the slightly lower contrast and advantage when scanning. I figure I can always add contrast and punch later but its harder to take away. I've always loved the look of Tri-X but found when shot in bright conditions I can't seem to get a decent scan without insane amounts of contrast. The only times I tend to use it now are for very overcast days.

[bro_liv]

These 2 episodes were really appreciated, thanks a lot man. I shot one roll of Tmax 400 and fell in love with it as well. Really enjoyable videos all over

[MKVD]

Tri-X is just great, has a nice look. It's just that for me the negatives always get really bowed while drying after developing which drives me crazy. Never happens with HP5, so I'm just using that and pushing or adding a bit more contrast in post.

[ledheavy]

I started b/w photography 18 years ago using only tri-x for years as thats what was recommended in school as the "student film". Always developed in D76 at class. Having tried more than a handful of other b/w films I'd say tri-x is still my favorite, it just is black & white to me. I love delta 3200 also but for the money I'll just push some hp5 or tri-x instead at half the cost.

[andrewthecool]

If you're looking for a 35mm film stock, i'd recommend kentmere 400 developed with either HC-110 or Dektol, depending on your contrast needs, but it's on the brink of being a higher contrast film (nowhere near JCH though) and it's actually relatively cheap as well, plus it'll reliably push to 1600. Cheers!