Fujifilm Neopan 400

used it only once, but i don't think i'll do it again. it's nothing bad, or anything it's just that i exoected something better. could have been sharper, less grainy and more contrasty. (maybe developping was screwed up) ill stick with ilford.

hmmm... as i said its not bad but fuji has better

a lot... could have been wrongly developped, i dont know

Very sharp film that gives dark, rich blacks and has a steeley coldness to it - a good thing. Grain is practically non-existent in medium format. Looks a bit like Tri-X, sans the grain, but has a look all of its own.

Put away your critical grain focuser if using 120 version. This stuff is almost grainless. Sharp! Rich blacks. Black is black, not dark grey. A unique aesthetic. A little cheaper than other name-brands in 120. Good value. Good latitude... Laugh if you will, but this has a better spool "technology" than Iflord or Kodak 120s that my camera seems to like (more even frame spacing...)

Has a Tri-X-y look that might not be suited to all subjects... This is a "cold" film that might not be to everyone's preference. Negatives might be a little more prone to scratches, so be gentle with them. HP5 might have a slightly better tonal range

HP5

Freestyle is terrific - as is J and C both are terrific retailers for all things black and white, wet process.

This has quickly become my favorite black and white film. It really hits on all cylinders - sharpness, nice tonality, very forgiving, and a very affordable price. I think of Neopan as having a very 'modern' look -- very black blacks and razor sharp. It is a contrast to, say, Ilford HP5 Plus, which has a more classical, creamy look to it.

sharpness exposure latitude strong blacks PRICE

not all pro shops stock it

Ilford Delta 100 and 400, HP5 Plus, Kodak T-Max 100 and 400, Tri-X, Plus-X, Fuji Acros 100

I am using this film since more than 5 years. It is my favortie black and white film. The gray-tones are simular to Tri X, but the Neopan is sharper.I tried T Max but did not like the gray scale. I develop the Neopan in X Tol 1+1 and got very stable resuts over the years.

gray-tones, price, always on stock in Berlin

none

Tri X, T Max

not used

In my research for a personal standard 400 film (see similar products used section), Neopan 400 is the clear winner because the following reasons: * Although Tri-X is able to handle almost every need (it can show fine or visible grain depending on exposure and processing, very forgiving with rude processing, contrast can be also controlled during processing but it costs grain), I find Neopan 400 to be more predictable with an overall much more finer grain. With Tri-X you should be in a low-contrast situation and move between Zone I-III to achive similiar results. * Very satisfying pulled use (EI 200, reduced processing, Zone I-IV range exposure). Beats all competitors. Results stand on front ISO/100 standards in terms of grain (may be surprisingly but true) and even ISO/50 in terms of sharness. Contrast, for sure, is reduced in front of let''s say PanF+, but as I use a condenser enlarger and multigrade paper, it is not a big constrain (Grade 2.5 or 3 filters solves the problem most of the times). * EI 400 exposure gives very good overall results with finer grain than competitors. * I do not like grain structure from T-Max 400 (ugly to my taste) * HP-5 is also an overall good performer but surpassed by Neopan in almost every aspect, specially grain perception. Useful data... I shot 35mm, develop in Xtol (1+1), condenser enlarger and primarly to 8x10'''' size range. I am specially concerned about grain and sharpness because of the format size. I find easy to control contrast range during enlargement (use multigrade paper). As a result, my personal standards have become Ilford PanF+ if possible (low contrast scene, tripod, finest grain), Neopan 400 (EI 200 or 400 for hanheld shooting), pushed Tri-X for nice and visible grain (not very often needed). At least you have to give a try to this film. One more time, thanks Fuji!

Cheap, Suprisingly fine grain, Extremely good accutance (sharpness), Overall subjective satisfaction, Relatively easy to find here in Spain (not in 1hour lab shops, for sure...)

Average to low contrast?

Kodak Tri-X, T-Max 400, Ilford HP-5 Plus

Not needed. Data sheets available for download... Good!