C41 b&w scans

[Kalkadan]

I am trying the Kodak b&w C41 in both 120 and 35mm.  Mainly because I imagine the stuff will be easier to get processed than the FP4 or Tri-X I used to shoot donkeys years ago (assuming it still exists).

I plan to scan the negs and insert in web albums.  Have not got to that stage yet.  But I am mighty curious as to how they will look compared to traditional b&w film scans (and prints).

Here is a clickable thumbnail of an FP4 neg (I think! at least it is not C41)


I'd like to compare the look of that with a C41 scanned neg.

If any of you have some I would be grateful.

Dan

[connealy]

...I plan to scan the negs and insert in web albums.  Have not got to that stage yet.  But I am mighty curious as to how they will look compared to traditional b&w film scans (and prints)...

If you are going to use the images only on the web, you will save yourself some time and agony by having the processor do the scan to CD for you.  If you have a scanner and ICE software to go with it, you can probably do as good a job, but it won't be quicker, and probably not better.  The problem is that commercial film processors really abuse the film.  The upside is that C41 b&w is near grainless and can produce results that few of us can get from traditional films, at least in 35mm format.

[ImageMaker]

And for whatever it's worth, both FP4+ and Tri-X are still available, and it's so simple to develop your own B&W film that it's hardly worth paying anyone to do it.  I haven't paid for a roll of B&W processing in about three years; hopefully, I'll soon be able to process my own C-41 and E-6 as well, and be able to shoot color again.  

[Jim Evans]

Almost all of the photos in the link below were shot on Ilford XP2 Super.   I really like it for some typed or work.  Most the cemetery stuff I shoot is shot on XP2.

BTW,  these were all processed at Walgreens Pharmacy's 1Hr lab and then scanned with my Nikon Coolscan V with ICE turned on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jse-images/sets/72057594136921007/show/

Jim

[jake]

Alternatively, you can shoot any number of color films, develop and scan, then convert them into grayscale images. Then you have the option of keeping the color or discarding it. Or both. And if you have a scanner with ICE, ICE works best with color film, making scanning less of a head ache in terms of dust removal. Plus the teenagers who work minilabs don't freak out when you hand them a roll of color film.

[connealy]

Here are some shots on Kodak B&W 400 scanned at Walgreen's Drugstore on a Fuji Frontier.


Olympus 35 RC and Kiev IIa

I can't get results as good as that from any of the traditional b&w films in 35mm in terms of grain, contrast and tonality.

Walgreen's charges me $5.50 for processing and a CD; that's a bit more than I want to spend, but it sure is convenient.  Until recently, I was able to get the same thing for $3.25 from the local Hatch drugstore; that is pretty competitive in cost with traditional film and home processing.  Unfortunately for me, I think the Hatch processor may not recover from the recent flood.

Jake is right about ICE only working with color; I always seem to forget that fact.  However, the commercial processors seem to do a pretty good job of covering up the spots and scratches, so it seems that their software does have some beneficial effect even on C41 b&w.

[cenelson]

That's a nice set.

Almost all of the photos in the link below were shot on Ilford XP2 Super.   I really like it for some typed or work.  Most the cemetery stuff I shoot is shot on XP2.

BTW,  these were all processed at Walgreens Pharmacy's 1Hr lab and then scanned with my Nikon Coolscan V with ICE turned on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jse-images/sets/72057594136921007/show/

Jim

[Jim Evans]

ICE does work 100% on B&W c41 films.   That's one of the things I like about these films.  However,  ICE does not work on traditional B&W film.

[connealy]

ICE does work 100% on B&W c41 films.   That's one of the things I like about these films.  However,  ICE does not work on traditional B&W film.

Glad to hear that.  Thought maybe it was just another instance of me fooling myself.

[Wimpler]

Last night I printed a color negative in the darkroom and the print was quite nice.

[Kalkadan]

Jim, Connealy, thanks for your examples and your advice.  I never realised what was available in taking a contemplative assessment of a cemetry before - and connealy, I've admired your harbour shots on your site before.

Wimpler: scan it and put it up for us to see!