Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400) USA

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

After years of shooting HP5 and Delta 3200 and printing in a traditional wet darkroom, I have been looking for a way to integrate film into my digital darkroom. Until I tried C41 B&W films I have been less-than-impressed with the results -- far more grain and excessive contrast than with wet processing.

The Fuji and Noritsu scanners of most commercial labs are designed for the dye-cloud/grain technology of color film. BW emulsions do not have dye-clouds, just grain. Therefore the BW400CN might reproduce a better image depending on shooting conditions.

BW400CN has provided far better results and it is now my go-to film for scanning and digital processing.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

I use this in a olympus stylus epic and since i use a local lab for everyday photography, i like this film. def not the best black and white film but fine for what i am using it for. still better than digital.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

After being out of art photography for the two decades the kids were growing up, I wanted to shoot some black and white. Since I don't have my darkroom anymore, and b&w processing is done only at pro labs (none local), I tried a roll. Good contrast, fine grain, clear highlights... it made me forget Tri-X. I loaded up my old rangefinder and SLR with this film and probably won't be shooting anything else. I'll be a regular purchaser of this film.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

This film works great and is very easy to use. The lack of a lot of grain is a big plus. You can buy better B/W film and pay an arm and a leg to develope but this is perfect film for most uses and gives very good results. The ease of C-41 develope is also a big plus!

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

Usual Kodak quality with the ease of C-41 processing. Though not readily available at my usual local photo supplier, [...]

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

In a situation where true black and white film is too much of a hassle you can get gorgeous black and white pictures with the convenience and ease of color film development. Occasionally there is a hint of pink in the lighter areas, but in my experience this is easily remedied with post processing. The crisp, contrasty edges and smooth swaths of color are exactly what one looks for in a black and white film, and it is very present in this film. On top of that the 400 ISO is extremely versatile and forgiving.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

I was just reading the other reviews of others citing color shifts as a con of the film - it is not the film, it is the Photo Lab that they are taking it to.

I love B&W photography, but do not have the means to develop my own any longer, and the sparse places around that can be found that develop true B&W film, added with the turnaround time in getting the film simply processed... it was an easy choice to begin using this C-41 processing B&W film.

With it, I get a B&W film that works like any other B&W film, in that B&W color filters can be used (i.e. a red filter to darken the blues, an orange to make greens pop, etc.), and just simply get a B&W film, but the ease of being able to process it any ol' place that still develops film.

But, when people on here who complain of receiving their prints back with a color cast of any hue, it is not from the film, you have to be diligent in finding a good Photo Lab who actually knows what they are doing. Yes, the C-41 processing means that the film can be developed anywhere film can be developed, but what that C-41 means, is color processing chemicals, which don't cause the color cast (unless perhaps it's a poorly maintained Lab with old and/or non-replenished chemicals in the film processor), no, where the color cast comes from, is from the scanning of the film.

I have managed a Photo Lab, and depending on the Lab, the equipment they have (since this is a Kodak film, best use a Lab that is a Kodak Lab, as opposed to a Fuji Lab, for example), and the capability and knowledge of the staff working within it. If you can find a Lab where the staff actually knows something about photography, types of film, the whole developing and processing of film, and the equipment to correctly do so with, then that is the Lab you definitely want to be taking your film to.

Even though this film can be processed in C-41 color processing chemicals, it is not a color film is it? Therefore, it needs to be scanned as a black and white film, or some machines have even a C-41 B&W scanning option for this specific kind of film, either way, scanned as B&W film, or C-41 B&W film, that is how the film needs to be scanned and not as a color roll of film.

Though, honestly, that is all moot anyway, because, unless you are at a professional Photo Lab, the images are going to be printed on color paper, and that is how the blueish, greenish color casts and hues come from, because the paper they are printed on is not black and white paper, but color paper.

For those who have or get color casts in their prints, I would recommend doing what it is I do, and find a good, clean Lab, with someone with whom knows their stuff, and if they don't have the capabilities to scan and print your B&W film as black and white, on black and white paper, just simply have them develop your film only.

If they can scan it as black and white for you, but, only have color paper to print it on, that is still all right, have them then develop and scan your film only onto CD, and upload your photos to an online photo place who has true black and white paper.

If they don't have the means to scan it as B&W, well, you can either have them scan it anyway, and attain some photo editing software for your computer and just desaturate the color, or use it's B&W converting of it for you, to remove the color casts resulting from it being scanned as color film, and then send it off to a Lab that again provides true B&W paper for it to be printed on.

Otherwise, this film, I have used for a couple years for any and everything, it has great tones, nice detail in the shadow areas, hardly any noticeable grain, and produces very fine black and white images, and recommend to anyone who also loves black and white photography... but just need to educate on your local Photo Labs and see if they can do what is needed for this film, for you.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

If you want some quick and easy black & white prints get a roll or two of this. Very good tonal range and can be printed well in a darkroom. You may need to up one or two contrast filters from your normal printing. The color tint that everyone is talking about from the 1 hour photo labs is obviously from the color chemistry and the people who can't color correct. Don't sweat it, just correct them in Photoshop or print them yourself. The 4x6's are just proofs anyway.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

The lab where I take my film will make reprints from this film using B&W paper instead of color paper. It avoids the green/pink/brown color that other reviews have mentioned. (I don't develop my own film, so I didn't know about this before I started using this lab.) You may want to ask about the possibility at your lab if they also do traditional non-C-41 B&W.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

Excellent chromogenic B&W film; essentially a neutral-toned version of the equally fine Ilford XP2. Easy processing at any 1-hour drugstore lab; scans well; economical; responds well to slight overexposure.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

I bought a roll of this a few months back, and I'm not sure what to say. I got kind of a green tint in all of the exposures, usually in the darker areas. The pictures them self came out nice and sharp, but the green!! Maybe I'll try another roll sometime.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

I got this film for my b/w class, and it came out awesome so I recommend it.
p.s. it wont be true b/w so dont expect it.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

I'm usually annoyed at waiting while my Tmax film is sent away for development, so I started using the BW400CN for portraits because it could be processed in standard color tanks (c41).

The contrast is great, and the organic quality of the film grain is still much preferred over the digital equivalent.

I still use the non C41 black and white film, but I've found a lot of uses for the CN film and it provides great quality for what I am using it for.

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

So far I've shot a few rolls of this stuff, and it's pretty good. I love the fact that it uses C-41 (color) processing, so durgstore development is no sweat. However, that point leads me to think that there's always going to be some (maybe very little) potential for askew tint. So just be sure to check a few shots befoer you leave. I got a set that was kind of pinkish, but I noticed it right away and they reprinted them and all was good (maybe just a fluke?).

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

I use this film for everyday use and I have found that it is really great in low/natural light situations. The grain is exceptionally fine and I have had images blown up with no problem at all. The only downside is the prints very rarely have an ever so slight color tint to them be it green or pink. Extremely subtle and not something that keeps me from using it!

Comments about Kodak 135-24 BW400CN (Chromogenic C-41) Print Film (ISO-400):

comes out with a slight green tinge but otherwise great.