Some recommendations for B&W film

[Kell]

I've been very happy using Ilford XP2 in the past.

Recently, I picked up a little Minolta Himatic G2. No way to change anything and the film that it came with is also ASA400. Just pointing it at stuff in the garden, it look like it's already overreading and going into the red on the meter that show the f/stop it would use.

All of which makes me think it needs some slower film.

I'm not up to speed (pardon the pun) on what film is what. I from certain posts I've read, I've seen comments like "Oh you should have bought XX instead as it's really just respooled YY but cheaper"

I'd be looking to shoot in and around London and what nice contrasty images.

I 'think' I could use the XP2 and shoot it (and get developed) at 200 and that might be the best solution. But wondered if anyone has any other suggestions for something that would work in a sunny city.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

 

[srichards]

I've had good results with XP2 and a snapic with 1/125 and a fixed F10 or so I think it is. I'd just set it to ASA400 and try some XP2 and see how it actually turns out. I don't think my olympus trip goes beyond 1/250 either and I didn't notice that being unduly over exposed when I used Fuji 400 in it.

If XP2 is washed out then the Kentmere 200 or the FP4 125 is worth a go for traditional black and whites. I suspect it will end up just fine in the end.

 

[Ian Grant]

I'd stick a roll of FP42 through it to test it and see how accurately it's exposures are, It's less forgiving than XP2.

Ian