Plumping for XP2

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One thing that separates the quality of digital files from 35mm scans is the graininess of the images. At ISO 100, files from the K10D are more or less grain free. With 35mm, it never ceases to amaze me how coarse even fine-grained negatives come out once they’ve been scanned.

The problem is that a film scanner acts like a condenser enlarger: its highly directional light source exaggerates film grain.

The other issue concerns the way scanners work. If a film grain spreads over one pixel and into another, it will likely record as two pixels instead of one-and-a-bit. That has the effect of making grain seem worse than it is.

Some photographers are determined to stick to their silver gelatin black and white films and will resort to tricks such as slightly defocusing the image at the scanning stage to reduce the appearance of grain.

I think it’s better to use a black and white film such as Ilford XP2 if you want to scan your black and white negatives. XP2, like other chromogenic films, uses coloured dye instead of grains of silver and isn’t nearly so susceptible to this effect.

After a recent trip back to the darkroom, I’ve found that the one thing I don’t like doing is developing black and white film. XP2’s other bonus is that my local ASDA supermarket will develop the film (no prints) for just £1.50.

That’s the way ahead for me when I want to shoot film. Anyone want a developing tank...