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Category: Camera Film

Photography Question 

Penelope D. Lamb
 

Black and White Print vs. Slide Film


What is the difference between print B&W film and slide B&W film? Can they only be used with certain cameras? I have been trying to do research to find out, but haven't come across anything helpful yet.


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August 13, 2003

 

Tiffany M. Barkevich
  Hi Penelope
As long as you camera and film are 35mm, you can use them when ever you want. The only difference I can think of between the two is when you get them developed, the color of the black on the slide film might be a tiny bit purple-ish.


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August 13, 2003

 

Jon Close
  As Tiffany stated, you can use either slide or print film interchageably in your camera. Choose which you want based on what you want as final output (prints or slides).

There is only one B&W slide film that I know of, Agfa Scala 200x. It requires a unique development that is done by only a few labs. See
http://www.agfa.com/photo/products/film/professional/bwrevfilm/

for more information.

Kodak's T-MAX 100 B&W print film can be processed into B&W slides by exposing the film at ISO 50 instead of 100, and using Kodak's T-MAX 100 Direct Positive Film Developing Outfit. See Kodak Technical Publication J-87 for more information:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/j87/j87.jhtml

Both the Agfa Scala 200 and Kodak T-Max 100 will result in true black and white slides without color casts.


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August 14, 2003

 

Penelope D. Lamb
  Thank you guys very much. I just bought 15 rolls of B&W print film and I am looking forward to taking alot of pictures :)


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August 14, 2003

 

John A. Lind
  Penelope,
I've never had a "purplish" cast to any true B&W film, whether it's transparency or negative . . . or any true B&W print materials for that matter.

Tiffany might be referring to some of the inexpensive B&W print materials, particularly the RA-4 type that are intended to be used for machine prints in color print machines. One in particular that was made by Kodak (now discontinued), and I cannot remember which it is, was not intended for long-term keeping of B&W photographs, but only for short-term use. It had a reputation for its blacks and grays turning deep purplish over time.

As previously mentioned, there is only one B&W transparency film, Agfa's Scala 200X and I've used it occasionally with excellent results. It is among the highest archival films around.

Kodak's TMax 100 was also mentioned. Although it is intended as a B&W negative film, it can be reversed using Kodak's "TMax 100 Direct Positive Film Developing Kit." I don't know of any labs doing this (doesn't mean there aren't any) which means it's very likely you'd have to do it yourself. When used with TMax 100, the film must be pulled by a stop and shot at EI 50. This means the decision to reverse it must be made beforehand. Contrast can be varied with the EI used and appropriate, matching changes to the developing. It can also be used to reverse Kodak's Technical Pan film. However, Tech Pan must be pushed to EI 64 (it's rated at ISO 25) and produces very high contrast results suitable for title slides, line art, etc., not continuous tone photographs. The kit will handle 12 rolls of 36-exp. 35mm, film.

-- John


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August 19, 2003

 
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