Best Film
Sorry for all the questions new to this area so want to get it right
For mono I almost exclusively use Ilford FP4+ (ISO 125) or Ilford HP5+ (ISO 400), Kentmere 100 is a good budget choice but some find Kentmere 400 is a bit grainy. If you have a scanner you can save quite a bit by developing mono film yourself (it's not that difficult, doesn't require much equipment and is hugely rewarding).
For colour print, Kodak Porta is great for skin tones/portraits but can give muted colours and might not be ideal for landscape (I quite like the colours myself). Ektar 100 is a very good option for punchy colours and fine grain, but it requires good processing to get the best out of it.
This image was shot with Kodak Porta 400 on the Pentax 67ii and scanned on a modest Epson flatbed.
I have never found Kodak Porta 160 or 400 to have muted colours. Well, obviously these films are nowhere near highly saturated films like Velvia 50, but I find the Porta films superbly versatile and very good also for landscape.
This image was shot with Kodak Porta 400 on the Pentax 67ii and scanned on a modest Epson flatbed.
Hi bjolester. I was surprised by your image, certainly not 'muted colours' and that started me digging into the differences between the current 'Portra' which has replaced the older 'Portra NC' (natural colours) and 'Portra VC' (vidid colours) films.
It turns out that Portra 160, 400 & 800 have different characteristics from this Kodak link: link
Thanks for posting a correction, it has helped me look at Portra in a different light.
John.
for B&W i use Kentmere 100 as i wanted to play with B&W and also self-processing.
my choice is mainly governed by what i can buy! i bought a batch of standard Fuji 200 recently as the Superia was difficult to source. i also use the Lomo own brand films for a bit of fun (if they are the coloured ones).
the Fuji is quite bright, as i remember from the old days of film, but not overly so.
i do use Kodak Ektar 120 for the medium format twin lenses and that is lovely, but not used the 35mm version yet.
I recommend Ilford and Kentmere black & white negative films.
Chris
Kodak Ektar and Portra are more go-to colour films. Mainly Ektar for 35mm and Portra for 120.
K.
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
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4 posts
9 years
I have recently inherited a Pentax ME Super that i want to start using.
Can anyone recommend a Color & B&W Film that works well with the ME Super.
Im looking to do some outside portrait shoots of my Daughter and some Landscape work.
Many Thanks in advance
Mark