Frantisek Vlcek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> jwc> Anyone else try to print BW400CN in a darkroom?
>
> I asked about C41 B&W films a friend who is better experienced
in the
> darkroom, and he strongly advised me from trying to print them
in B&W
> darkroom. Issues like difficult focusing (no easy grain plane
to focus
> on, and grain is mushy), and strange mask and contrast. I took
his
> advice heartily (he has done lot of darkroom work) and never
tried the
> film. I think it could be good for scanning only, though.
All I can say is that I've been using T400CN for many years now
and it is almost the only film I put in my T5. It is my film of
choice when I plan big enlargements and a 400 ASA film is good
for the particular situation.
I must be an exception, but I have no problem using it in the
traditional darkroom on B&W paper. There is no visible grain,
true, but that is the main advantage of the film. My enlarger is
a Meopta with a focusing aid so I do not have to look at the
grain for focusing, though. No great problem wrt mask or density
issues (on the contrary, it performs quite well compared to the
XP2; this one is almost impossible to print if overexposed just
a bit - really too dense - but I may have had bad experiences in
the past).
I have done several 50x70cm prints with that film, with great
satisfaction.
My only problem is when I try to match the contrast of the B&W
paper with that of the proofs from the lab (on colour paper...)
I learned from experience that it is not always possible without
a lot of work.
Ciao,
Gianfranco
-
=====
�To read is to travel without all the hassles of luggage.�
---Emilio Salgari (1863-1911)
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