Ilford XP2,how good/bad is it?

[andy_piper2]

Karl: Hope you've enjoyed the show! (and I hope you like motorcycle

racing - since we seem to have wandered off in that direction.)

 

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RE XP2 - I've used it. It has finer grain exp. for scanning than

'silver' films. EXCEPT that, like color C-41 film, and the opposite of

silver film, it gets very grainy if underexposed.

 

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Since I shoot B&W almost entirely so that I can process it myself in

the wee hours when labs aren't open, I stick with the 'normal' silver

films. But XP2 scans very well the few times I've used it.

 

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At a very gross level (no double-entendre intended) I agree with Phil -

most 400 films look pretty much the same - which explains all the

threads asking "What film did Salgado use?" If we could tell which film

by looking, we wouldn't have to ask.

 

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But Bob is also right - there are very subtle differences in grain,

tonality, true speed, etc. I just shot a comparison of Delta 400 and

Tri-X to check out which I will end up using as my standard 400 film -

but it's not necessarily a difference that a client would notice - I

just want a film I'M happy with.

 

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Some psychologist has written about the 'Narcissism of small

differences" - which theory intrigues me. It does seem sometimes that

we get to arguing about (and wallowing in) the finest possible

distinctions - between films, lenses, exact amount of shutter noise,

etc. - and wind up frozen on the riverbank entranced by minutiae while

life goes on without us.

[nesrani]

The Narcissism of Small Differences - sounds like an advertising

slogan for Leica!

[stephen_jones4]

Rob - exactly - much better than "sometimes less is so much

more [expensive]"

[phil_kneen]

No Bob,Karl asked me what film I used,I told him and I told him why I

used it......The world went mad.

 

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PETTY-the word that pretty much sums you lot up(please note I

said 'pretty much').

 

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Lance,you are welcome here anytime.TT week is bigger than christmas

here.

[peter_olsson]

The XP2 Super is a good film. Pushed 1 stop it works very well rated

at ISO 640 (but not the ultimate in shadow detail). However, it is

three times the price of Tri-x and the developing is four to five

times as expensive (compared to home developed tri-x).

 

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It prints nicely on Agfa multigrade RC, but long exposure times. In

120-format I have printed this film on graded fiber paper (Emaks)

which worked very well. It really tests your enlarger lens. I

compared two enlarger lenses at small prints on the same paper, using

the same aperture (8.0). The prints were 4x6 inches and the best

enlarger lens gave MUCH more detail.

 

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In summary, a good film but too expensive to use.

[steve_wiley]

Claims of chromogenic films fading are true. I've shot two rolls

of B/W C-41 films in the last ten years and one is showing

extreme fading. Both were stored in "archival" (high-density

polyethylene sleeving) in the dark. It's possible to have a lab

re-stabalize the negs. I chose to make internegs from the

frames I wanted to keep.

Anyone concerned with the consevation of their work should read

"The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs" by Henry

Wilhelm. It contains very useful info on how to store all

photographic materials for stability and longevity.

[stephen_jones4]

Thanks Steve - good tip. (I'm off to check out my old stuff now)

[preston_merchant]

The wildly popular American TV show "Seinfeld" was about nothing

except the Narcissism of Small Differences.

[brooke_anderson1]

I've used XP2 for years, shot it at 200, and it looks great. Very

fine grain (if even noticable), beautiful tonal range, great detail

in shadows and highlights. I'm going to try it at 250. It's what I

like - and my clients like it too (not a commercial).

 

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Process in drop tank, hang to dry - no scratches. But the emulsion

is delicate.

Anyone have experience with Scala?

[raymond_tai]

I have shot some Scala and while it is beautiful film the

disadvantages are many: not very convenient to process yourself or by

someone else; expensive; printing very troublesome as Ilfochrome and

other slide to print processes are color so getting pure b&w requires

work; scanning isn't as ideal. For projection of course is best but

I don't like my b&w this way.

[andy_piper2]

Scala would be ideal for me if I could get it processed in town in 2

hours like E-6.

 

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As it is - well, I'm not willing to put up with a 2-week delay for

Kodachrome, and even less willing to put up with a 2-week delay for B&W

when I can do it in 30 minutes in the bathroom.

 

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Looks nice, though.

[richard_ilomaki]

Earth to Leica forum:

 

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Fascinating thread- Narcisism of Small Differences Indeed:

entertaining way to spend a bit of dead time.

 

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Aestheic and political considerations aside, Salgado's prints are the

ideal IMHO, and they are done on TriX. His printer is a master, and

that is what makes most of the differences, again, IMHO.

 

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Forty years ago I knew REAL pro photogs who made good livings with an

M3 and 2 lenses with TriX and little has changes.

 

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I also have some prints by a guy named Dick Delagi from

Massachussetts made with R4s, Summicrons and XP1 which will stand up

to anything anywhere made with 4x5 or less.

 

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The small differences can be narcisitic as well as the difference

between mass production and Great Art. (Devil in the details!)

 

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I am just now listening to a Bach fugue played on a banjo and

marimba: it is still as beautiful as on a Harpsichord or Piano and

this is all up to the artist.

 

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Keep up the chatter-great fun and often (pretty) enlightening.

 

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AS an old Norton owner I too remember the name Phil Kneen from years

ago and I would like to know for sure if it is the same guy.

 

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Well, out too shot a roll of TX in Singapore: 32 Deg and 90%

humidity. I need to put some water aside in the airconditioned room

to cool to 25 deg so I can process the film. The water coming out of

the tap is about 28-30 Deg.

 

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Cheers

[carlomarks]

Hey Karl. I use Ilford XP2, get it developed in the local lab, expressley on B&W paper, and the results are great. I do a lot of scannig aswell, and I'm very happy. Very happy indeed!

 

Victor. Phil was making an amusing comment. Lighten up.

 

Phil. Can I have a go of your motorbike?