An RB in the thumbnail is clickbait enough for me! 😂 Lovely images. I might have to try this film. Yes, the RB is a lot easier to work handheld with the waist-level finder! The instructions even show a good way to hold it, using the strap as an anchor. Cheers!
Really, I can't stress enough how impressed I am with the Bergger. I will probably shoot it over HP5 Plus in future, which for an old Ilford addict like me is very high praise indeed. I originally bought my RB67 from Japan - and it came with the prism - and in the studio and for macro, brilliant, but wow it's a lump! Glad I have it, and even more glad that if I want to, I can leave it at home 🙂
Another good one Ash!.... I tend to use Pancro 400 in my Large Format developed in PMK Pyro with very good results.. Their prices are very competitive and haven ever gotten the film "marking" as I do with Fomapan. After going on a Photo shot with Gordon Hutchings (Developer of PMK Pyro) in 2000... I have been using PMK Pyro it in about 90% of my view camera photo development.. if you are using a Jobo / continuous agitation I have had good luck with increased concentration of A component... instead of. 1:2: 100 I use 1.3 to 1.5 (1.3/5:2:100) and have had no issues. Very good as usual!!!!
Thanks Randy :-) I'm looking forward to getting some 5x7 Bergger Pancro 400 and shooting it in my Kodak Specialist. Looks like it will be a great portrait emulsion, so some 5x4 with my 210mm Schneider looks like a fun exercise.
Bergger - it's definitely worth a try, judging by your results. Fomapan, is a weird one - I try to be consistent with my picture taking, and developing, but every now and then Foma seems to throw me a curve ball. I'm not sure if they have chemistry issues.
I get the same - in 5x4 and 5x7 I want to love Fomapan - but occasionally I get weird s**t happening: spots, blotches, tender emulsion when wet, inexplicably thin or dense negatives. But it's CHEAP 🙂
It's really no different than shooting 35mm - except perhaps it's more tolerant of mistakes 🙂 The bigger negative simply has more room to allow smoother tones to be recorded. The down side is the weight!
@@RickMahoney2013 Doesn't have to be an expensive one. Those old Zeiss folding cameras have great lenses, and years ago I had a Yashica 124G twin lens reflex that I loved. An old Mamiya C3 from the 1960s will still make great pictures.
Great video! I'm looking at getting into B&W home developing in the near future and looking at using Ilfosol 3 as a one-shot as my first Dev as I probably won't be developing much at first. I was just wondering if you reckon it's better to stick with shooting Ilford film when starting out and using an Ilford developer, or if it would be just as straightforward to mix and match and use films like this one with an Ilford dev? Many thanks
I pretty much standardise on Ilford Ilfotec HC (one shot) because its super economical and very long lasting (my current bottle has been opened over nine months and is still going strong. When you start out standardisation is your friend, so I would pick a film - it can be Ilford or any other - pick a developer, then stick with that combo till you know it backwards. The Bergger is - at least in my opinion - a bit grainy in Ilfotec. I've bought some Pyrocat HD to try with a bunch more Bergger Pancro 400 I have in the fridge, but that's not really a beginner's developer. If I were you I'd probably use FP4, HP5+ or even Delta 400 and a matching Ilford developer to start out. Keep it simple. You can easily branch out once you feel comfortable.
@@ashsphotolounge Thank you for the advice! I think I'll settle on FP4/HP5+ in that case. Ilfotec HC looks like a great option but unfortunately it seems in only comes in the larger bottles that would set me back £40 rather than ~£10 for some other developers so I might have to give it a go once I'm developing more. From what I've read today it seems Ilfosol 3 only had a shelf life of 3 months or so once opened - do you reckon a powder Dev like ID-11 would be a better bet in terms of longevity? At the moment I'm thinking of just using it bit by bit (instead of mixing the full quantity of solution on the packet) and then diluting as Ilford directs to use as a one-shot solution. Would love to hear your thoughts, many thanks!
@@ellyrion8173 Another good alternative is Rodinal. I always have a bottle of that hanging about (usually the Adox manufactured one). I wouldn't use it for Delta 400, but its great with FP4 and HP5+ and about as economical as you can get. You can do 1-25 1-50 and even 1-100 dilutions (check the Massive Dev Chart online) and of course do stand and semi stand development. It's miles easier than using powdered developers (which are very hard to mix a part-pack of) ... and £13.00 for 500ml from Bristol cameras at the moment. The best thing is the way Rodinal lasts. I once used some that had been opened for about five years and it was absolutely fine.
Haven't seen BP400 in 4x5 for some time on the shelf, e.g. remains on back order at B&H and other outlets. What's the production problem for 4x5? I like it but can't get it.
Interesting. Pretty much all sheet film sizes are either out of stock or in short supply here in the UK. It seems that it's in stock for direct sale to the from Bergger - so it may be a global transport/wholesaler problem.
120 and sheet is on PET support, that is why it curls. (135 is on acetate.) Will the curling go away with time and hold pressed for weeks? Is the base completly (cristal) clear? I ask as I am looking for BW films apt to be developed as positive and projected.
None of my older Pancro 120 negs are curled now - I wouldn't really consider Pancro for projection as the base is i little matt/milky. No problem of course with printing or scanning. It's even worse with Pancro developed in Pyrocat (which gives the best results) as it's a tanning developer and turns the base brown!
@@ashsphotolounge the old Pancro was Forte and therefore on acetate base on any format. Thank you, I wanted to know if the base is completly transparent. Seems not, that means I will have to look for another film for my purpose.
It's perfectly legitimate to ask if any film stock is 'worth trying'. Pancro 400 certainly is. I agree it's a great film stock - but it does have its own 'look' that you may love or not. It's unashamedly 'old fashioned' as opposed to something like Ilford Delta 400 so if you like super fine grain it may not be for you. So is it worth trying? My conclusion in the video was 'yes it is'.
You’re being defensive without actually reading my post and question. My question was worth what. What is it? The price? It’s been cheap since I started using it around spring of 2018 or so. I was trying to understand what it really referred to in your title. However, if someone asked me if it was worth not shooting any other stocks or only shooting Bergger Pancro 400. I would say no. As I ended my reply, I stated it was a wonderful stock in any size. However, with that said I have only tried it in 135, 2 ¼ and 4x5. Best of luck.
@@hitthestreetsphoto1253 I think you have misunderstood me being defensive. Your 'question actually confused me ... not everyone has tried Bergger Pancro 400, many will stick to the premium and well known brands like Ilford and Kodak. So the title 'Is Bergger Pancro worth it' is perfectly logical - bearing in mind that a thumbnail title cant be as long as 'Is occasionally using Bergger Pancro 400 in place of my usual premium brand a wise decision?' A great many people, especially large format enthusiasts are creatures of habit, and it hadn't escaped my notice that Pancro 400 is available in 5x7 which I shoot a lot with my Kodak Specialist. Given that I shall be picking up a box in that format soon to give it a more in depth review in developers other than my Ilford standards. Have fun and enjoy your photography. Ash
I don't shoot medium format, but Bergger is one of my favourite film stocks, the grain is "airy" and lovely.
I love the way it's almost 'instant art' 🙂
An RB in the thumbnail is clickbait enough for me! 😂 Lovely images. I might have to try this film. Yes, the RB is a lot easier to work handheld with the waist-level finder! The instructions even show a good way to hold it, using the strap as an anchor. Cheers!
Really, I can't stress enough how impressed I am with the Bergger. I will probably shoot it over HP5 Plus in future, which for an old Ilford addict like me is very high praise indeed. I originally bought my RB67 from Japan - and it came with the prism - and in the studio and for macro, brilliant, but wow it's a lump! Glad I have it, and even more glad that if I want to, I can leave it at home 🙂
Another good one Ash!.... I tend to use Pancro 400 in my Large Format developed in PMK Pyro with very good results.. Their prices are very competitive and haven ever gotten the film "marking" as I do with Fomapan. After going on a Photo shot with Gordon Hutchings (Developer of PMK Pyro) in 2000... I have been using PMK Pyro it in about 90% of my view camera photo development.. if you are using a Jobo / continuous agitation I have had good luck with increased concentration of A component... instead of. 1:2: 100 I use 1.3 to 1.5 (1.3/5:2:100) and have had no issues. Very good as usual!!!!
Thanks Randy :-) I'm looking forward to getting some 5x7 Bergger Pancro 400 and shooting it in my Kodak Specialist. Looks like it will be a great portrait emulsion, so some 5x4 with my 210mm Schneider looks like a fun exercise.
@@ashsphotolounge You will love it: and think of going to the dark side and become a pyro-maniac!
@@randybennett6846 I'm starting on my 10x8 project camera build this week hummmmmm
The 50mm is around a 24mm equivalent.
Bergger - it's definitely worth a try, judging by your results.
Fomapan, is a weird one - I try to be consistent with my picture taking, and developing, but every now and then Foma seems to throw me a curve ball. I'm not sure if they have chemistry issues.
I get the same - in 5x4 and 5x7 I want to love Fomapan - but occasionally I get weird s**t happening: spots, blotches, tender emulsion when wet, inexplicably thin or dense negatives. But it's CHEAP 🙂
I don’t know a damn thing about shooting medium format cameras but I do know I love the photo you get from it.
It's really no different than shooting 35mm - except perhaps it's more tolerant of mistakes 🙂
The bigger negative simply has more room to allow smoother tones to be recorded. The down side is the weight!
@@ashsphotolounge thanks maybe I will get one
@@RickMahoney2013 Doesn't have to be an expensive one. Those old Zeiss folding cameras have great lenses, and years ago I had a Yashica 124G twin lens reflex that I loved. An old Mamiya C3 from the 1960s will still make great pictures.
@@ashsphotolounge thank you sir
Great video! I'm looking at getting into B&W home developing in the near future and looking at using Ilfosol 3 as a one-shot as my first Dev as I probably won't be developing much at first.
I was just wondering if you reckon it's better to stick with shooting Ilford film when starting out and using an Ilford developer, or if it would be just as straightforward to mix and match and use films like this one with an Ilford dev? Many thanks
I pretty much standardise on Ilford Ilfotec HC (one shot) because its super economical and very long lasting (my current bottle has been opened over nine months and is still going strong. When you start out standardisation is your friend, so I would pick a film - it can be Ilford or any other - pick a developer, then stick with that combo till you know it backwards. The Bergger is - at least in my opinion - a bit grainy in Ilfotec. I've bought some Pyrocat HD to try with a bunch more Bergger Pancro 400 I have in the fridge, but that's not really a beginner's developer. If I were you I'd probably use FP4, HP5+ or even Delta 400 and a matching Ilford developer to start out. Keep it simple. You can easily branch out once you feel comfortable.
@@ashsphotolounge Thank you for the advice! I think I'll settle on FP4/HP5+ in that case. Ilfotec HC looks like a great option but unfortunately it seems in only comes in the larger bottles that would set me back £40 rather than ~£10 for some other developers so I might have to give it a go once I'm developing more.
From what I've read today it seems Ilfosol 3 only had a shelf life of 3 months or so once opened - do you reckon a powder Dev like ID-11 would be a better bet in terms of longevity? At the moment I'm thinking of just using it bit by bit (instead of mixing the full quantity of solution on the packet) and then diluting as Ilford directs to use as a one-shot solution. Would love to hear your thoughts, many thanks!
@@ellyrion8173 Another good alternative is Rodinal. I always have a bottle of that hanging about (usually the Adox manufactured one). I wouldn't use it for Delta 400, but its great with FP4 and HP5+ and about as economical as you can get. You can do 1-25 1-50 and even 1-100 dilutions (check the Massive Dev Chart online) and of course do stand and semi stand development. It's miles easier than using powdered developers (which are very hard to mix a part-pack of) ... and £13.00 for 500ml from Bristol cameras at the moment. The best thing is the way Rodinal lasts. I once used some that had been opened for about five years and it was absolutely fine.
Haven't seen BP400 in 4x5 for some time on the shelf, e.g. remains on back order at B&H and other outlets. What's the production problem for 4x5? I like it but can't get it.
Interesting. Pretty much all sheet film sizes are either out of stock or in short supply here in the UK. It seems that it's in stock for direct sale to the from Bergger - so it may be a global transport/wholesaler problem.
120 and sheet is on PET support, that is why it curls. (135 is on acetate.)
Will the curling go away with time and hold pressed for weeks?
Is the base completly (cristal) clear? I ask as I am looking for BW films apt to be developed as positive and projected.
None of my older Pancro 120 negs are curled now - I wouldn't really consider Pancro for projection as the base is i little matt/milky. No problem of course with printing or scanning. It's even worse with Pancro developed in Pyrocat (which gives the best results) as it's a tanning developer and turns the base brown!
@@ashsphotolounge the old Pancro was Forte and therefore on acetate base on any format.
Thank you, I wanted to know if the base is completly transparent. Seems not, that means I will have to look for another film for my purpose.
I’m confused by the “worth it” part. Bergger Pancro 400 is a wonderful film stock in any size.
It's perfectly legitimate to ask if any film stock is 'worth trying'. Pancro 400 certainly is. I agree it's a great film stock - but it does have its own 'look' that you may love or not. It's unashamedly 'old fashioned' as opposed to something like Ilford Delta 400 so if you like super fine grain it may not be for you. So is it worth trying? My conclusion in the video was 'yes it is'.
You’re being defensive without actually reading my post and question. My question was worth what. What is it? The price? It’s been cheap since I started using it around spring of 2018 or so. I was trying to understand what it really referred to in your title. However, if someone asked me if it was worth not shooting any other stocks or only shooting Bergger Pancro 400. I would say no. As I ended my reply, I stated it was a wonderful stock in any size. However, with that said I have only tried it in 135, 2 ¼ and 4x5. Best of luck.
@@hitthestreetsphoto1253 I think you have misunderstood me being defensive. Your 'question actually confused me ... not everyone has tried Bergger Pancro 400, many will stick to the premium and well known brands like Ilford and Kodak. So the title 'Is Bergger Pancro worth it' is perfectly logical - bearing in mind that a thumbnail title cant be as long as 'Is occasionally using Bergger Pancro 400 in place of my usual premium brand a wise decision?'
A great many people, especially large format enthusiasts are creatures of habit, and it hadn't escaped my notice that Pancro 400 is available in 5x7 which I shoot a lot with my Kodak Specialist. Given that I shall be picking up a box in that format soon to give it a more in depth review in developers other than my Ilford standards. Have fun and enjoy your photography.
Ash