UPDATE!
Just got a reply from HarmanTech to my question about the possibility of Delta 400 in sheet film size. My question to them was specifically about Delta 400 and no other film.
This is their reply:
Dear John
Thanks you for your kind comments.
We do run an annual campaign for large format sheet film where we offer Delta 100, FP4 and HP5. If you contact your local wholesaler they will be able to order on your behalf usually around May for availability into the US around October.
I must have written my email in some strange foreign language they couldn't understand???
I know I have my favorite, but was a little curious as to what others favor when it comes to 4X5 B&W sheet film for landscapes and scenics. Also, why you picked it over others.
Matt, I'm pretty sure it was, but like I said above, "Who knows"!This reply sounds like it was AI generated
If it's the thin base stuff I sure do pity the person trying to load that in an 8X10 holder. I had a hard enough time with it in 4X5, let alone 8X10.There is one guy on eBay selling Aviphot 200 in 8x10 sheet size. It is the aero version so the film base might be thinner. According to the Internet, Rollei IR 400 is Aviphot 200. But I don't have any experience.
I do recall there was some discussion with Simon Galley about both Delta 400 and Pan F in sheet film, and he cited technical reasons doing with the base for both, maybe 15 years ago, just don't recall the details.
I'm hoarding some Efke PL25 in 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sheet film. What a great film that was.HP5 in PMK. I do get Foma from time to time but the problem with Foma is I don't really trust it, so I'll end up shooting two negs to make sure I have one good one. That pretty much eliminates any cost saving. I have been screwing around with Ultrafine Lith film lately. It is so cheap, why not? I don't really see it replacing regular film though for me.
I'd love to try some other films. Bergger for one. Every time I look for it though it is out of stock. Such is life these days. I'd also love to try Adox 100 but again, out of stock if they even make it anymore. I "found" Efke PL100 right before they went under. That was a beautiful film and supposedly the Adox is similar or based on it. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Andy,Efke 25 was awesome. Loved it in 8x10. Luckily I have a 50 sheet box of 4x5 that braxus sold me. That's a "special occasion" film.
Well, I've pretty much narrowed my buying down to one film. Since I dug into my fridge and found a half 25 sheet box of Delta 100 I'll have that to run against the film I buy and see which I prefer. I'll use Pyrocat-HDC as my main developer for the two film test. The actual reason for this thread was to more or less educate me on a slower sheet film than HP5+ since I really haven't used much 4X5 sheet film other than HP5+. Yes, HP5+ is my favorite sheet film at this time. I have shot almost all my B&W 4X5 on HP5+ except very early on it was Kodak Tri-X. What I liked about HP5+ is it's flexible to work with, gives very good speed(at least for me) and isn't so blasted contrasty right out of the box. Grain wise, it's absolutely just fine, pun intended, and since I almost never go beyond 16X20 it's not a problem.
Now, for my choice to buy film. Well, it's going to be HP5+'s kid sister, FP4+. I think I can get along with it just fine, but will still run it against Delta 100 to make sure. I've not heard a bad comment in this thread about FP4+. So, FP4+ it is and I'll order today.
That's been my observation w HP5.... I've always preferred TriX for that very reasonMy ONLY complaint about HP5+ is that for my needs, it doesn't have enough tonal separation in the high values. That makes it great for portraiture, but not so much for landscape work, where separation of the delicate high values is extremely important. This is where the Delta films excel, IMO.
I haven't used FP4+ for a long time, but I do use Delta 100 in 120 and have an older bulk roll in 35mm. I do like it a lot. When using HP5+ I find I can get pretty nice highlights like, cloud separation, when I use Pyrocat-HDC and really have no complaint in that department. Maybe I'm just not as critical, I don't know.My ONLY complaint about HP5+ is that for my needs, it doesn't have enough tonal separation in the high values. That makes it great for portraiture, but not so much for landscape work, where separation of the delicate high values is extremely important. This is where the Delta films excel, IMO.
I'll use Pyrocat-HDC... <snip> I've not heard a bad comment in this thread about FP4+. So, FP4+ it is and I'll order today.
I know I have my favorite, but was a little curious as to what others favor when it comes to 4X5 B&W sheet film for landscapes and scenics. Also, why you picked it over others.
Very nice separation in those very low values. Love the deep blacks.I've only tried this combo in 6x6 so far, but was absolutely thrilled with the results. Maybe even thrilled enough to do a side-by-side against my trusty Rodinal in 4x5. Only issue for me is that I use rotary processing for my 4x5 negs, and it seems the Pyrocat really comes into its element with lower agitation, so I might have to mess around with building some BTZS tubes or something.
FWIW, here's an 8x10 from a fairly heavily cropped 6x6 negative, FP4+ in Pyrocat HDC, at box speed, printed at grade 3 on Ilford MG FB. I was very impressed with the resolution, acutance, and especially shadow separation. Got those awesome deep tones that are nevertheless full of detail.
I've only tried this combo in 6x6 so far, but was absolutely thrilled with the results. Maybe even thrilled enough to do a side-by-side against my trusty Rodinal in 4x5. Only issue for me is that I use rotary processing for my 4x5 negs, and it seems the Pyrocat really comes into its element with lower agitation, so I might have to mess around with building some BTZS tubes or something.
FWIW, here's an 8x10 from a fairly heavily cropped 6x6 negative, FP4+ in Pyrocat HDC, at box speed, printed at grade 3 on Ilford MG FB. I was very impressed with the resolution, acutance, and especially shadow separation. Got those awesome deep tones that are nevertheless full of detail.
Those acorns aren't boulders and that ain't no stream. Of course it might be a stream when it rains, but it'd be a small one.Amazing and I believe I even know the location; I shot there myself. A stream in Wales.
I too wanted to use Delta 400 in sheet film. On a visit to Mobberly in 2007 I asked Simon Galley whether they would make it, and his response was a firm "no". I have a hazy memory that they did, in fact, attempt to make it but there was a problem with adhesion between the emulsion and the base. For landscape work in MF, it's my no 1 choice.
Andy,
Yes, I really wish I had bought some in 4X5, but dumb-dumb me. I put a PL in front of Efke 25, but can't remember if it had that designation or not? My Efke 25 is down state so I can't check. Regardless, it was a sweet film.
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