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Thumper !VFtk2VroH6
So today I had the option of buying C-41 black and white film (Ilford XP2 and Kodak BW400CN) or "true" black and white negative film which needed to be processed offsite at a specialised lab, as you do.

My question to those in the know is, is there much of a difference in end result between "true" black and white film and the C-41 type?

Economically, the non-C41 type would cost around 30 dollars in processing fees.
>> Thumper !VFtk2VroH6
>>87972
fyi, I use Ilford XP-2 quite often, but I've often wondered if I'm losing something in my prints by not using a true negative b&w film
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
The main thing you lose is longevity. Chromogenic B&W fades like any C41 film, whereas traditional B&W will probably outlive you. Qualitywise, they're not really much different.

One thing to consider: Traditional B&W isn't really that difficult to process on your own. There's a nontrivial startup cost to buy all of the equipment and chemicals you need, but after that it's cheaper per-roll to develop yourself than to send it out. Also, way more satisfying.
>> Anonymous
Like ac said, true black and white film isn't that hard to develop and there are most likely a couple complete darkrooms for sale near you (lots are going on the market now).

The other thing I've heard about C-41 film (the kodak in particular) is that it has less grain than traditional black and white. This might be a good thing, but it might be a bad thing, depending on the effect you want.

I'm shooting 7 rolls of the Kodak BW400CN Professional right now, just for fun cause I got it for dirt cheap, but I have some true Kodak Tmax, etc on the way here that I plan to shoot and process in the University darkroom once I get the time.
>> Thumper !VFtk2VroH6
>>87977
I'm using it for some portraiture this weekend, so maybe the less grain will be handy. Ilford seems to be quite grainy when the size is increased, but this may just be standard with any B&W film
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>87979

It is grainy if not scanned and printed properly. If you have a scanner at home, completely forego the printing and scan it with ICE on. It'll come out MUCH smoother.

Also; don't get prints if you don't have to- it's cheaper :)
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>87981
Oh yeah, that's another advantage to C41 B&W. Automatic dust/scratch removal works with C41, but not with traditional B&W.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>87982

also works fantastically for getting rid of that damn grain :)
>> Anonymous
Haven't actually used the XP2 myself, i'd go for the HP5 because you could develop it yourself, and the quality is pretty good =)
>> Anonymous
Oh yeah, the other MAJOR difference between XP2 and Kodak's 400CN is that XP2 is on a clear film base, where kodak's is orangey like colour negs.

That means that printing XP2 to colour paper is hard, but printing it to BW paper is easy

and printing 400CN to colour paper is easy, but printing it to BW paper is hard.

From what I can tell, it IS possible to print 400CN to black and white paper, but you have to use higher contrast paper and exposure times in the enlarger are much much higher (up to 1 min). I haven't tried it myself, but plan to in a couple weeks when this film is done.
>> Anonymous
Pros of C41 B/W:
-Processing is easy if you don't have equipment for silver dev.
-ICE

cons:
-Longevity
-tonal range
-flexibility

Personally, I would go for C-41 if you aren't developing it yourself, but in the long run, step up to "true" B/W and get the gear to process it, it's worth it.

For C-41 film, I would go with XP2.
>> Anonymous
>>88029
Is tonal range the same thing as dynamic range?
>> Anonymous
I love shooting a few rolls of C41 b&w every now and then but what I find lacking is the ISO range - I've got rolls of TMAX stashed away for when I need it in ISO 50, 100, 400, 3200 but the C41 comes in a very limited flavour...
>> Anonymous
c-41 B&W is a ton better than the d-19 developer types.
thats why everyone uses it, because it is so much moar awesome
>> Thumper !VFtk2VroH6
I won't have access to a darkroom for a few days so C-41 is the way to go for me. Viva Cup Weekend!