Photography

cshimokita
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Testing a new B&W film...

Ever since "StreetPan 400" was introduced in March-2016 I have been wanting to test this film.  I finally purchased a couple of rolls at the local camera shop and ran some through the Leica MP using a 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH.  The next roll will be tested with my favorite 50 mm ; )

The film is said to have been original made by AGFA so it's not a new formula, but rather a film that has been put back into production... not respooled old stock nor re-branded 35mm film.

Scanned as monochrome with increased brightness and de-saturated in post processing

I exposed at box (i.e. metered for ISO400) using both in-camera and hand held meters.  According to the official website, the transparent polyester base film is sensitive to red light and suited to dawn, dusk and winter photography... so I did a 180 and exposed the first test photos at high noon on a bright sunny day, maybe not the best use of a high contrast film suitable for low light and the long shadows at sunrise or sunset.

From the marketing blurb: "The spectral sensitivity is extended in the near infrared [IR] range ... the film offers excellent penetration through haze, fog and other atmospheric conditions..."  One test shot with a Y2 (yellow) filter darkens the sky as a YA2 (orange) or even an R1 (red) might produce with a film such as Neopan 100 or 400.  Even without a filter, the cloud definition was pronounced.

As I mentioned, the film has a transparent base, very much so when compared to the afore mentioned Fuji B&W films.  Because of the film base, there was some bleeding around the sproket holes for the first couple of frames (take care if doing own development).  The negatives lay flat and are scanner-friendly with minimal curling.

There are detailed development options included with the film but I went for standard processing by the local lab... I suspect the results will vary greatly depending on the development details.

Some test shots (straight from the camera & scanner, resized):

Exposed as metered




Exposed +1 steps shutter speed




Exposed +2 steps shutter speed

Would I use this film...  while you can come close the the same look in post processing, I like the added twist of the extended sensitivity in the near infrared range.  As one option I will continue to use "StreetPan 400" and looking forward to testing in the late afternoon and with different filters.

Thanks for reading,
Casey