Neopan Acros vs. SS and developing

A great starting point for b&w developing http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php. I didnt check the times/developers for Tmax or the other two you mentioned though since I dont know what sort of developers you will be working with.

Wasn't the SS discontinued? Check the expiration dates on the film. Both are excellent films that you can get great results with, Acros is a bit newer technologically but if you can get a good deal on the SS I wouldn't hesitate to use it - just make sure that if it is expired you test it to make sure it's not gone bad. For 100 speed B&W film, which I'd expect to hold up well, going bad would usually involve having been stored at high temperature or scanned with a powerful X-ray during shipping, so a good store won't sell it.

Derek's advice is good - when in doubt about a new film try that web site and you'll usually find what you're looking for.

SS is still available, from http://www.japanexposures.com - never seen it over here in Canada though. Never seen Presto either?

Have used Acros and I absolutely love that film.

Thanks for the link and the tips. How would you compare Acros to TMax? I've uesd TMax before so if its better, then I'll use it because I'm familar with the developing process, but if Acros is better then I'll be excited to try something new. I always liked fuji color film better than Kodak, but had no experience with their B/W.

Nathan, I was told that SS is an international (imported) version of Acros, so I bought some because Acros was out of stock at my normal supplier (FreestylePhoto.biz). I do believe they are the same film and though I've seen different development times between the two, I've found SS times are the same as my Acros times.

While I tend to like Acros/SS better for most applications, TMax is great film. It prints nicely, though I prefer Acros for scanning. TMax seems to have a bit more of a brooding look to it, while Acros' long tonal range seems to open up shadows. You would probably like either film. I don't recall whether TMax develops the same as Acros (I seem to recall it has a shorter development time), but check with the massive development chart at DigitalTruth.

Acros is rather similar to TMX.

SS is an older style film. It's not available in many markets but I think it's still made. It's probably a bit like FP4+. I was going to use it after reading Barry Thornton's positive comments but the local distributor here (Australia) said it was "probably" going to be discontinued.

I have Fujifilm's pdf file about SS if you want a copy. Send me a personal message through photonet.

TMAX 100 has more contrast than ACROS 100. Sometimes it has a bit too much contrast for my taste. ACROS has less contrast and so is likely to be more tolerant of over exposure. But ACROS could be too flat on overcast lighting.
Never even saw Neopan SS in the USA. ACROS has different developing times than TMAX. They're both really good films. Shoot 'em side by side to see which you like better and goes better with your developing chemistry. I like ACROS 100 for night shooting. The subtle contrast and good reciprocity curve make it great for that. In daylight I'd give TMAX 100 or Ilford Pan F the edge because ACROS can have a "digital" black & white look. It's grain and tones are so smooth you're not sure if you're looking at film!

I tried a few rolls of the SS and found it to be a bit on the grainy side for an ISO 100 film. It did have nice tones, though. For Acros, I rate it at E.I. 80 and process in Kodak HC110 dilutin B.

A while back I was able to pick up a bunch of fresh Neopan 100 SS. It is not anything like Acros, which has more in common with TMX than it does with Neopan 100 SS. I agree with the assessment that it is more like FP4+ than to Acros. Now that doesn't mean it's bad. In fact, I kind of liked it. Developed in D-76 to Fuji's spec, I made some really easy to print negatives with it. I don't worry too much about grain, and this film's grain is on par with other films like it. I haven't seen it for sale lately in the US, so I don't know what the story is there. If you can get it, try it and see if you like it.