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BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Questions

Photography Question 
Angie M. Nemanic 		 

C41 TYPE FILM VS TRADITIONAL BLACK & WHITE FILM


I like shooting black and white so I've been trying different types of film. What is anyone's take on the black and white c41 processing type film? Is it as good at the Kodak t-max 100. It seems that it is easier to process and less expensive. The guy at the photo store said it can be developed in their color processor so it is less expensive. Any insight on this type of film is appreciated.

Thanks...


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8/1/2004 6:10:38 PM

 
Andy 
BetterPhoto Member Since: 5/28/2002 		  I had used a couple rolls of TMAX many years ago, had them developed and printed by a lab and I liked the results. Lately, someone gave me a few rolls of Kodak T400CN film (already expired) and I tried again. You can have them processed just like the regular color print films. I really do like it and I am into B&W again. Here's a few samples. One can be found here:

ttp://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.asp?photoID=467175&catID=966&style=&contestCatID=

The others can be found here:

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?camID=2279


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8/2/2004 7:48:29 AM

 
Andy 
BetterPhoto Member Since: 5/28/2002 		  Sorry, the first link is missing a 'h' at the beginning.

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.asp?photoID=467175&catID=966&style=&contestCatID=


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8/2/2004 7:50:37 AM

 
Rebecka Franklin  
 
 
Andys picture shows a lot of contrast. ( beautiful by the way, I love B&W flowers ) I was useing the Kodak c41 process 400 B&W but I wasn't getting the contrast I desired. The last roll I shot was Tri-pan kodak that I bought just to see if it made a difference, and I think it did. It had more contrast. I don't have any of those shots scaned into my computer yet, and might not for a while, but here is one of the Kodak B&W 400 c41 you can compare to Andy's photo.


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8/2/2004 9:18:00 AM

 
Angie M. Nemanic   WOW, Great photo. Thanks for the info!


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8/2/2004 3:05:32 PM

 
Andy 
BetterPhoto Member Since: 5/28/2002 		  Thanks Angie and Rebecka. Anyway, as I mentioned I am only experimenting B&W myself. My people photos, just like Rebecka's, also lacks contrasts. They are mostly outdoor or indoor with available light. But if you look hard or have control of the light, you can get the contrast you want.

The orchid was taken in my house with all the lights turned off. Then I use just one light for the orchid and a very small aperture to make the background very dark. The use of the WHITE orchid really made the white popped.

For the others in the "photos created with Canon Ftb camera" in the "Review" section, I had to look very hard to find the subjects in high contrast. Like the Korean War Memorial, it was made of black marble and it stood against the bright sky with the trees in shadow. The other one with the church, which has a white steeple and red brick walls against the black building. The other building photo, which the windows of the building were very reflective, also stood in front of other black buildings. For these kind of contrast you have to look very hard (which I worked in this area for very long time). Hope this helps.


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8/2/2004 4:13:07 PM

 
John P. Sandstedt
BetterPhoto Member Since: 8/8/2001
Contact John
John's Gallery 		  Many folks don't realize it but, when you take your TC400Cn film for C41 processing, the major problem is that your photfnisher, using his computerized machine, will print on paper for color prints.

You need to return to the wet darkroom and properly develop your prints to achieve the contrast, etc. you're looking for. Use the prints returned from the local photo shop or drug store as "proofs." Then, plan to develop the prints yourself, go to a higher end photo-finisher or try scanning your negatives for use with your dry darkroom - your computer.

Good Luck,
John


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9/27/2004 10:34:38 AM

 
x 
BetterPhoto Member Since: 10/28/2003 		  When my lab does this, not only do they print on color paper, but they have a slight purplish tint to them. Sometimes it looks OK. But, mostly, I want deep rich blacks, and high contrast. So, even though it costs a little more, I have BW film processed in BW chems using BW print paper, even for the proofs.

Jerry


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9/27/2004 4:28:06 PM

 
Rebecka Franklin   That is really good info about the photo lab John and Jerry. Thanks.

I develop my own film at home and I personally get better contrast with the films that are clear films like Kodak Tri-X or Plus-X. Those are not C-41 process. I use D-76 on them. The light doesn't have to travel through that brown film to the paper. I get better whites with the clear film. But that is just me. I still have a lot to learn myself!!


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9/28/2004 9:48:23 AM

 
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