best black and white 35mm

[Tyler Wicka]

what would the best 35mm black and white film be?
i just want somthing that is real sharp. and the blacks are real strong.
what would yall suggest?

 

[Digital Matt]

There is no "best". You'll have to find the one you like the best. By no means have I tried them all, but out of the ones I have tried, I prefer Ilford Delta.

 

[deanimator]

Depends a lot on what you want to shoot...I mean do you need 400 or can you live with 100?

Your camera and lens?

Lighting...indoors or outdoors?

Tripod?

Developing it yourself?

What size prints are you thinking of making?

These factors are related to sharpness and a point often overlooked, apparent sharpness. It´s not as simple as it looks, but we need a bit more info.

I currently shoot 35mm landscapes and environmental portraits with either Tri-X or Neopan 400. I like (need) the grain, and I use good lenses, develop for increased acutance, and print with the best quality lenses. Many people think it´s medium format!

 

[JIP]

Yes there is a varietey and most of what you choose should be a personal decision. Alot of films B+W and color have different characteristics and can be the best for different situations.

 

[blackdoglab]

Go to your local camera store and try a few rolls. Most likely they'll have Kodak, Ilford, and probably some Fuji neopan. If you're lucky, they might have some agfapan apx left. If you really want to become a film slut ( i guess i'm one myself) go online and try some foma or forte.

 

[JC1220]

The results you want are not based on your film choice alone as those above have stated. Don't forget about your printing paper, matching your film to your paper scale along with your developers. It is more than just film to get the results you want.

 

[Alpha]

Eh. I'm gonna come down in the middle somewhere. Anything's possible, but in my mind there actually are films that are sharper and have richer blacks. Ilford PanF immediately comes to mind. Kodak Tri-X as well for rich blacks, though not usually sharpness (though you have to work for it in printing).

 

[nealjpage]

I like Efke. Seems to have very rich detail.

 

[Alpha]

It does, but the emulsion is added in a single coat as opposed to the usual three, combined with a thin base to begin with makes for some very very curly negs.

 

[Kahn10]

give Kodak tri-x pan high contrast a try, they make a 400 and a 125 (and possibly other speeds) that come out beautifully. You'll probably have to find a dedicated lab to develop it (i.e. not Walgreens).

 

[deanimator]

give Kodak tri-x pan high contrast a try, they make a 400 and a 125....

WHAT? Since when?

 

[loser101]

give Kodak tri-x pan high contrast a try, they make a 400 and a 125 (and possibly other speeds) that come out beautifully. You'll probably have to find a dedicated lab to develop it (i.e. not Walgreens).

plus-x is a 125 film

 

[Alpha]

TX comes in 400 and 320. PX comes in 125.

 

[fightheheathens]

i like ilford delta 125 and Ilford PanF 50.
im also a slave to my tripod as i shoot with a polarizer and a 2 stop red filter...


(try shooting ISO 50 at f11 with those filters hand held....you would need to be shooting a supernova or something)

 

[Mitica100]

AGFA still rules IMHO. Too bad it can't be found anymore.