Thank you ... for inspiration. Not to shoot with your type of equipment, but to see subjects I know exist within reach and have never thought to capture.
Well, the camera may be a Chamonix, but the photographer is certainly intrepid. You set a good example, Todd, although a couple of orange cones might be useful in the midst of so much traffic. (Or a reflective vest.) Love the white church. Looking forward to the portraits. Hope there's no QC problem with Catlabs.
Every session is a lesson in excellence. Thanks again for your guidance at a one week session at SAIT many years ago. I'm still applying the lessons learned.
Merci pour ce très intéressant retour d'expérience avec le film Catlabs. Vous m'avez donné envie de le tester. Bravo aussi pour la qualité de vos vidéos et la quiétude de vos commentaires.
Love your videos - I've been using CatLabs 80 but since I mostly do portraits I've ended up going with a faster film. Love the little tip about metering off the highlights and opening up 2 stops. Also was interested to see how you got extra rise by tilting the bed! Cheers!
I was wondering about this film today when I saw it on B&H. Thank you for this video. I've decided to give it a try soon (once I use up the 100 and 400 Arista I got to cut my teeth on my new 4x5 camera).
Thanks for posting, Todd! My (admittedly limited - a couple boxes) experience with CatLABS 80 has also been very positive, with it showing excellent detail and gradation. HC-110 has become my go-to developer with most films, although the usual 1+31 dilution seems more biased towards quick processing than ultimate results. Mid-tone and shadow subtleties show up better with thinner dilutions of 1+63 or even half that if you have the time. Thinner dilutions also allow for reduced agitation, also improving results. So far I've not had trouble with uneven development on sheets or medium format roll film by doing that. :)
It's a great film. I've been using it (8x10) for several months, since I first tested it in a video I made and uploaded on my channel. Can't beat the price, too!
Thanks for this very informative video! Nice photos! I used to shoot pan-x so I'll give a box of a try. I recall seeing a reciprocity chart somewhere, that would be handy.
@@toddkorolphoto If I find it I'll forward it to to, I do some pinhole photography so it would be very useful to me. I ordered a couple of boxes this afternoon 😊
I’ve missed seeing you work with the 4x5. Not many large format film shooters left. Good for the soul. Best thing about winter? No stinkin’ rattlesnakes. I’m hoping prices for sheet film could be a bit more reasonable. Mistakes are getting costly.
I’ve been shooting some of this film. I’ve used D-76 1+3, Xtol 1+1. I found the Shanghai GP3 Pan 100 development times in MassiveDevChart work well with the Catlabs X 80 film. Also, I found the same about reciprocity rating not being same as FP4.
I've never tried the GP3, and I am sure D76 would work great with this film. I pretty much have switched to HC110 just because sometimes my D76 can sit too long.
I have started using this film, and I rather like it. I use Sprint developer, 10 minutes, normal temp (68). I have not made a silver print yet, but when scanned it holds up well to a contrast boost (curves in Photoshop).
I am convinced that CatLabs 80 is repackaged Shanghai. I've been using Shanghai's reciprocity chart, and I'm quite satisified. Unlike Ilford films, you also have to compensate for the development time, which is indicated in the chart.
I just came across your review of the CatLABS 80. I am considering going over to Rollei Retro 80 S in 120 after decades of using Tri-X rated at 200 ASA with a 6 x 9 camera. I would appreciate your impressions as I like what I have seen so far online of the 80S Thank you in advance for your time and attention in this matter.
Todd - really enjoy your videos. I bought an Intrepid 8x10, an Intrepid 4x5 to use as an enlarger and a Chamonix 4.5 on account of watching your videos. (I also bought a big hat, though mine is a Bates of Jermyn St. London fedora). I see that you use a Benro geared head which I have but mine fouls on the underside of my camera making it difficult to mount and dismount. Do you have a similar problem or solution?
That’s great to hear wonderful you are shooting large format. I used to stay at a great hotel on Jermyn St it was wine if my all time favourite hotels. I do not have any issues with using my Benro. Perhaps use a thicker mount and that will give you a bit more space.
Enjoyed your video (as usual). The image of the white church could not be any better. The whites are superb, and the overall image is super crisp & clean! Curious - 1. If you were shooting this scene with your X1D-II, how much over-exposure would you give? The camera should safely go to +3 stops, but I would normally adjust +2.3~2.7. 2. With your HC-110 development of snow images, in particular, do you adjust the development time, or stick with the recommended time? 3. When you scan the film to digital, any idea what RGB value your brightest whites render?
Thanks, yes great whites. Well I cheat with the XD! II because a lot of time I use the exposure setting that I can see in real time in the viewfinder. So it's hard to tell, plus the camera has so much dynamic range you can easily boost the highlights. But there are times when I underexpose the Hassy or just make sure I am not clipping the highlights. In terms of developer, when I use the whole meter for the highlights then overexpose by two stops, that's a normal development time for me. It's just other times when I'm dealing with shadow detail and don't want to loose the highlights that I might knock down my development. For the third question I do not know, these were all pretty quick scans just for UA-cam, but they turned our really well.
Great info Todd. A question off the subject, but what is the hip pack you are using to store the film holders? I noticed you slipping the exposed film holder into it and thought that looked like a mighty handy item. Thanks.
halfway through a box, packaging (outer bag) wasn't fun inside a changing bag, and the paper sleeve between each sheet is tough for none feeling old fingers, second sheet i came to didn't have a notch for orientation, i have a used a mix of red and yellow filters for darker sky, and am a little bummed how flat my negatives are. used homemade d23, and rodinal to make sure it wasn't the developer, will order a couple powders and make some d76 see if that helps. overall the negatives are great, i'll definitely buy more. have a 6x17 rollfilm holder loaded with ilford ortho 80 shot at the same spot but have one more frame before developing. really liked the Rollei retro 80s i've used the last few years will experiment a lot more with development time on the catlabs, hard to find info
@@toddkorolphoto thank you!! have had the film a few years from B&H i think, life got turned sideways after huge fire in our area, and have just recently started shooting again. tried the first recommendation i found not thinking to check their site. info was off by 9 minutes excited to give it a proper go
Excellent photographs! Could you help a total novice with the spot meter? I liked how the sky went very dark in the water tower and the red truck went very dark too. Would you mind sharing what you metered off of?
I just metered off the snow, the brightest highlight and then overexposed my image two stops open from the metered exposure. Out here we can have some very deep blue sky days and the sky just naturally goes darker.
I remember in a past video where you were shooting a lot of snow scenes you used the same technique; over exposing two stops. I made a note in my phone and the next time I was out shooting I used a the same technique. Why does this work? I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around why this technique works. Can you explain it?
If you were to meter off the snow, and then use those meter readings, the snow would be rendered grey not white. When you overexpose by two stops it shifts the values of the snow to white, not pure white, but white with some detail in it.
Don't be fooled folks; as much as Catlabs CEO want's you te believe this film is 'custom' (he is lying), it's not, it's Agfa Aviphot 80, so are all of his other films, repackaged Agfa aerial films, high silver content is also not true. Great film though! For everybody in Europe, 'Rollei' films share the same emulsions.
The photo of the cowboy hat in the truck was awesome. Great eye.
@@PenGious ✌️
Thank you ... for inspiration. Not to shoot with your type of equipment, but to see subjects I know exist within reach and have never thought to capture.
Excellent, that's what I try to make my videos all about, getting out and taking photos ;-)
Well, the camera may be a Chamonix, but the photographer is certainly intrepid. You set a good example, Todd, although a couple of orange cones might be useful in the midst of so much traffic. (Or a reflective vest.) Love the white church. Looking forward to the portraits. Hope there's no QC problem with Catlabs.
Thanks love the Chamonix. I think the film is fine, need to just shoot a bit more, you never know what happens with the odd sheet.
love the church, lots of little churches in Saskatchewan. my favorites from this video were the bridge and the truck with the cowboy hat, very nice
Thank you so much for watching!
Thanks, Ted. I want to see more from this film and your beautiful camera eye.
Thank you, I will do more photography with it next week.
Nice film, I like it, and photos are beautiful 👍
Thank you, I am very impressed with the film.
Every session is a lesson in excellence. Thanks again for your guidance at a one week session at SAIT many years ago. I'm still applying the lessons learned.
Oh hi Marc, that's great to hear. Hope you're well, thanks for watching.
Love that wristwatch. Great little microbrand.
Yes I have not been disappointed in that at all👍👍
Merci pour ce très intéressant retour d'expérience avec le film Catlabs. Vous m'avez donné envie de le tester. Bravo aussi pour la qualité de vos vidéos et la quiétude de vos commentaires.
Merci d'avoir regardé. Je pense que vous aimerez le film, il a une belle gamme tonale.
i love this film, hope i get a chance to shoot it someday
It's worth a shot for sure.
Love your videos - I've been using CatLabs 80 but since I mostly do portraits I've ended up going with a faster film. Love the little tip about metering off the highlights and opening up 2 stops. Also was interested to see how you got extra rise by tilting the bed! Cheers!
Thank you so much, I do like the film, will try some portraits next week.
Head and shoulders above the rest. Excellent, informative and inspirational video.
Thank you very much!
I was wondering about this film today when I saw it on B&H. Thank you for this video. I've decided to give it a try soon (once I use up the 100 and 400 Arista I got to cut my teeth on my new 4x5 camera).
Yeah it’s a nice film for the price.
Thanks for posting, Todd!
My (admittedly limited - a couple boxes) experience with CatLABS 80 has also been very positive, with it showing excellent detail and gradation.
HC-110 has become my go-to developer with most films, although the usual 1+31 dilution seems more biased towards quick processing than ultimate results. Mid-tone and shadow subtleties show up better with thinner dilutions of 1+63 or even half that if you have the time. Thinner dilutions also allow for reduced agitation, also improving results. So far I've not had trouble with uneven development on sheets or medium format roll film by doing that. :)
Great info, thank you. Yes admittedly I use Dil B for its speed. But I might give the 1:63 a shot and see how it turns out. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for sharing. 20 dollars US for 35mm slide film is just mind blowing. Alternatives matter.
That's for sure.
It's a great film. I've been using it (8x10) for several months, since I first tested it in a video I made and uploaded on my channel. Can't beat the price, too!
Thanks I’ll check it out.
That church reminded me of one of Ansel's images. Bravo.
Thank you so much!
You're making me hungry, Todd. Excellent images!
Tasted good too!🥂
Thanks for this very informative video! Nice photos! I used to shoot pan-x so I'll give a box of a try. I recall seeing a reciprocity chart somewhere, that would be handy.
I will try a few more tests with reciprocity as well.
@@toddkorolphoto If I find it I'll forward it to to, I do some pinhole photography so it would be very useful to me. I ordered a couple of boxes this afternoon 😊
@@philipdahl9001 Yes please do, thanks. You know I have a 4x5 pinhole camera, hmmm that's a good idea., ;-)
Where you listening to The Large Format Photography podcast? Your usual excellent video.
Yes I sure was, I always like listening to that when I am out working, Those guys have a great podcast.
I’ve missed seeing you work with the 4x5. Not many large format film shooters left. Good for the soul. Best thing about winter? No stinkin’ rattlesnakes. I’m hoping prices for sheet film could be a bit more reasonable. Mistakes are getting costly.
Thank you. More work from large format coming soon;-)
I’ve been shooting some of this film. I’ve used D-76 1+3, Xtol 1+1. I found the Shanghai GP3 Pan 100 development times in MassiveDevChart work well with the Catlabs X 80 film. Also, I found the same about reciprocity rating not being same as FP4.
I've never tried the GP3, and I am sure D76 would work great with this film. I pretty much have switched to HC110 just because sometimes my D76 can sit too long.
Liked even before it started :D. keep up the great content.
Thanks for coming along ;-)
I have started using this film, and I rather like it. I use Sprint developer, 10 minutes, normal temp (68). I have not made a silver print yet, but when scanned it holds up well to a contrast boost (curves in Photoshop).
Yes it’s really nice.
I am convinced that CatLabs 80 is repackaged Shanghai. I've been using Shanghai's reciprocity chart, and I'm quite satisified. Unlike Ilford films, you also have to compensate for the development time, which is indicated in the chart.
Could be, I have never used the Shanghai film.
I'm really liking CatLabs in 8x10. Works well for alt printing@@toddkorolphoto
I really like the gradation you’re getting from this film. It’s only a about 10% cheaper than Ilford here in the UK, and not that easy to get hold of.
Of course here in Canada we pay a premium on everything :-(
Excellent video!
Many thanks.
@@toddkorolphoto You’re welcome. You inspire me to get my old Burke & James out and make some black & white photos.
@@jimwlouavl That sounds great, please share some when you have them.
What tripod head are you using Todd? Love your videos, keep up the excellent photography!
I am using the Leofoto Summit LM-365C with the Benro GW3H 3 way geared head.
I just came across your review of the CatLABS 80. I am considering going over to Rollei Retro 80 S in 120 after decades of using Tri-X rated at 200 ASA with a 6 x 9 camera.
I would appreciate your impressions as I like what I have seen so far online of the 80S
Thank you in advance for your time and attention in this matter.
I have not had a chance to use any Roller Retro 80s. I like the Catlabs film.
@@toddkorolphoto Thank you for your immediate reply. Regrettably the new iteration, MKII, is not now offered in 120; sheet film only
Thank you! Isn't Shanghai GP3? All you talking about is the same about GP3. 50 EI indoor, strange uneven fog in shadows..
Yes mine happened with one sheet, very strange
Todd - really enjoy your videos. I bought an Intrepid 8x10, an Intrepid 4x5 to use as an enlarger and a Chamonix 4.5 on account of watching your videos. (I also bought a big hat, though mine is a Bates of Jermyn St. London fedora). I see that you use a Benro geared head which I have but mine fouls on the underside of my camera making it difficult to mount and dismount. Do you have a similar problem or solution?
That’s great to hear wonderful you are shooting large format. I used to stay at a great hotel on Jermyn St it was wine if my all time favourite hotels. I do not have any issues with using my Benro. Perhaps use a thicker mount and that will give you a bit more space.
@@toddkorolphoto Wow. Thanks for rapid reply. May just be the Intrepid. Haven't go the Chamonix yet. I'll see if I can source a thicker plate.
Enjoyed your video (as usual). The image of the white church could not be any better. The whites are superb, and the overall image is super crisp & clean!
Curious -
1. If you were shooting this scene with your X1D-II, how much over-exposure would you give? The camera should safely go to +3 stops, but I would normally adjust +2.3~2.7.
2. With your HC-110 development of snow images, in particular, do you adjust the development time, or stick with the recommended time?
3. When you scan the film to digital, any idea what RGB value your brightest whites render?
Thanks, yes great whites. Well I cheat with the XD! II because a lot of time I use the exposure setting that I can see in real time in the viewfinder. So it's hard to tell, plus the camera has so much dynamic range you can easily boost the highlights. But there are times when I underexpose the Hassy or just make sure I am not clipping the highlights.
In terms of developer, when I use the whole meter for the highlights then overexpose by two stops, that's a normal development time for me. It's just other times when I'm dealing with shadow detail and don't want to loose the highlights that I might knock down my development.
For the third question I do not know, these were all pretty quick scans just for UA-cam, but they turned our really well.
Great info Todd. A question off the subject, but what is the hip pack you are using to store the film holders? I noticed you slipping the exposed film holder into it and thought that looked like a mighty handy item. Thanks.
It’s a holder from Stone. He makes holders for all sizes. Do a google search and you’ll find him. 😉
halfway through a box, packaging (outer bag) wasn't fun inside a changing bag, and the paper sleeve between each sheet is tough for none feeling old fingers, second sheet i came to didn't have a notch for orientation, i have a used a mix of red and yellow filters for darker sky, and am a little bummed how flat my negatives are. used homemade d23, and rodinal to make sure it wasn't the developer, will order a couple powders and make some d76 see if that helps. overall the negatives are great, i'll definitely buy more. have a 6x17 rollfilm holder loaded with ilford ortho 80 shot at the same spot but have one more frame before developing. really liked the Rollei retro 80s i've used the last few years will experiment a lot more with development time on the catlabs, hard to find info
They have pretty good developing info on their site right now.
@@toddkorolphoto thank you!! have had the film a few years from B&H i think, life got turned sideways after huge fire in our area, and have just recently started shooting again. tried the first recommendation i found not thinking to check their site. info was off by 9 minutes excited to give it a proper go
Excellent photographs!
Could you help a total novice with the spot meter? I liked how the sky went very dark in the water tower and the red truck went very dark too. Would you mind sharing what you metered off of?
I just metered off the snow, the brightest highlight and then overexposed my image two stops open from the metered exposure. Out here we can have some very deep blue sky days and the sky just naturally goes darker.
@@toddkorolphoto thanks. I loved both of those photographs.
What are you recording videos with?
Sony A7S III
@@toddkorolphoto thanks. Great channel. Subbed.
@@ericrjennings Many thanks!!
You need to set up some cones, dude.
I remember in a past video where you were shooting a lot of snow scenes you used the same technique; over exposing two stops. I made a note in my phone and the next time I was out shooting I used a the same technique. Why does this work? I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around why this technique works. Can you explain it?
If you were to meter off the snow, and then use those meter readings, the snow would be rendered grey not white. When you overexpose by two stops it shifts the values of the snow to white, not pure white, but white with some detail in it.
@@toddkorolphoto Thank you very much. I feel as though I should have figured that out on my own. :) I’m getting there!
@@randomsixty NP!
Don't be fooled folks; as much as Catlabs CEO want's you te believe this film is 'custom' (he is lying), it's not, it's Agfa Aviphot 80, so are all of his other films, repackaged Agfa aerial films, high silver content is also not true. Great film though! For everybody in Europe, 'Rollei' films share the same emulsions.
Interesting, thanks for watching.