best bw film for studio portrait?

ajmall · Oct 15, 2004

i hardly use BW film but i bought some ilford 400 professional film to use in a studio. is that generally good for portraits?

SWFLA1 · Oct 15, 2004

i usually shoot a 100 iso in the studio where i can control the lighting....

santino · Oct 15, 2004

I think 400 would be the wrong choice, try 100 iso or even 50 iso.

ajmall · Oct 15, 2004

****. ok thanks. i did actually ask the lab technician in the shop his advice but he obviously only knows about developing rather than taking photos!

Jamie R · Oct 18, 2004

AJ,

if you want to use your Delta 400, try contrasty street scenes maybe.

For studio work or portraiture, you might like to try and get some Ilford Pan F+ (ISO 50) or FP4+. Both responds very well to controlled lighting set-ups and the grain is a matter of preference. Tri-X or Fuji Neopan 400 work well using low contrast backgrounds in studios with ambient lighting and reflectors although perhaps these wouldn't be first choice for black and white.

ahelg · Oct 18, 2004

No point in using 400 in my opinion. To much grain.

Jovian · Oct 18, 2004

I haven't ever really had a problem with grain that much with Delta 400... sure, the panF or FP4 are better...but IMO even their 3200 speed has more grain than TriX 400... so grain depends on the brand of film too. And from my experience, Ilford isn't that bad as far as grainyness goes... just shoot it, and see if you like it.

ajmall · Oct 19, 2004

thanks for the tips. i think i'll try both 50 and 100 iso films. if they're any good i'll put them online hopefully sometime next week after the shoot.

santino · Oct 19, 2004

T-Max 100 is great for studio shots :thumbsup:

ksmattfish · Oct 19, 2004

ajmall said:
s***. ok thanks. i did actually ask the lab technician in the shop his advice but he obviously only knows about developing rather than taking photos!

Not at all. He did what every post above did, just gave his opinion. There is no film that is right for all photogs in a given situation. You're going to have to try it and see what you think of the results.