[Leica] #174

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Peter, the C-41 process bw is a very interesting corner of the film world. 
There is no question that it can produce sharp, very fine
"grain" bw images and seems to have the wide exposure tolerance of colour 
neg. Graham of course, uses it superbly and we have other
LUG denizens that do the same.

But where's the fun of the experience, if you can't develop it yourself? If 
I use commercial processing then I can as easily scan
and print from colour neg or transparency to end up with black and white 
prints. Those prints too will have superior fine "grain"
and great contrast control. In fact my workflow from bw negs often includes 
a conversion to RGB colour that allows for detail tonal
manipulation and also toning which works really well to produce monochrome 
prints from my inkjet.

So, yes I'm very aware of the high quality results from the C-41 bw and 
there won't be any dust spots, battles with grain etc etc. I
just like the smell of the fixer. Do it yourself bw is a very enjoyable 
extension of using the wonderful M's. When I try to put
colour film in my M3, it just rejects it. Some king of immune reaction, I 
think ;-)

Cheers
Hoppy   

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org 
[mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Peter Dzwig
Sent: Wednesday, 20 September 2006 05:58
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] #174

Hoppy,

I think that you will find that the process/composition of the film has 
changed 
a bit since its predecessors and we are now seeing less variability in 
processing than we used to. No, the average punter can't process them at 
home, 
but then most dev shops will do you a good (ie competitive )price to process 
them -  most places in the world.

It's an interesting way fo film to go; even if speeds are somewhat limited! 
Not 
that I would suggest that other films are dropped. Anything but, C41 is just 
a 
useful weapon in the armoury.

Peter Dzwig


G Hopkinson wrote:

> Luis there is a large difference there. Graham's lovely picture has used 
> colour neg type black and white film BW400C.
> So it has very fine dye clouds rather the traditional BW grain that you 
> and I work at scanning.
> This is starting to sound very attractive except that, of course, you 
> can't readily process it at home. Certainly not with your bw
> chemicals. Quite a few posters seem to use these films which of course are 
> processed as colour negative. Certainly the results are
> excellent that we see posted.
> 
> Salud!
> Hoppy  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org 
> [mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf
Of
> Luis Ripoll
> Sent: Tuesday, 19 September 2006 07:03
> To: 'Leica Users Group'
> Subject: RE: [Leica] #174
> 
> Nice and excellent picture Graham, I appreciate the fine structure of grain
> you obtain with your scannings, much better than mines, probably you have 
> an
> improved scanning technique! good work!
> 
> Saludos cordiales,
> Luis
> 
> 
> -----Mensaje original-----
> De: lug-bounces+luisripoll=telefonica.net@leica-users.org
> [mailto:lug-bounces+luisripoll=telefonica.net@leica-users.org] En nombre de
> GeeBee
> Enviado el: lunes, 18 de septiembre de 2006 19:29
> Para: LUG
> Asunto: [Leica] #174
> 
> Leica M6 : Elmarit 21mm f2.8 : orange filter : Kodak Professional BW400C
> 
> http://www.geebeephoto.com/2006/06174.htm
> 
> --Graham
> http://www.geebeephoto.com
>