Today, we’re diving into a unique black-and-white film: Bergger BRF 400 Plus, how to use it, what makes it special, and whether it deserves a spot in your film photography memory. Originally planned for 2016, the project was shelved when Bergger discontinued BRF 400 Plus. Here we are in early 2025, and the film remains out of production. So, today’s video is a record—a deep dive into a now-dead film stock that holds a special place in my photographic experience.
Let’s start with what BRF 400 Plus is, or rather, was. This was a fast, 400-speed black-and-white film available in 35mm factory cassettes. As with many 400-speed films, it offered versatility in various lighting conditions, but the magic of BRF 400 Plus lay in its artistic qualities: its grain, tonal range, and overall character.
First, if you happen to have a roll of BRF 400 Plus today, chances are it’s well past its expiration date. As with any expired film, you’ll need to overexpose it—typically by one stop for every 5-10 years past the expiration date. For a film that’s been out of production for roughly eight years, I’d recommend overexposing by at least one or two stops, though this will depend on your specific batch. Testing a frame or two to gauge the best exposure is always a good idea.
When it was still fresh, BRF 400 Plus quickly became one of my favorite films to shoot. Its grain had a distinct quality—complimenting most subjects beautifully. The tonal range, dramatic and moody, lent itself to storytelling, especially for documentary work or gritty environments. However, it wasn’t an all-purpose film. For example, I never loved its results with star trails, which seemed out of sync with the stock’s visual personality.
I tested BRF 400 Plus with D-76 (stock and 1+1 dilutions) and Rodinal 1+25, as well as an unknown lab developer (which I suspect was XTOL). Of these, D-76 stock was my clear favorite, as it enhanced the tonal range while softening the grain just enough to keep it beautiful but controlled. Rodinal, on the other hand, was my least favorite. It overemphasized the grain, making the images feel harsh and coarse. The lab developer (likely XTOL stock) was excellent, providing slightly more balanced results than D-76 stock, though the difference was subtle. If you have access to XTOL, it might edge out D-76 as the best chemistry for this film.
Grain: When paired with the right developer, the grain was a standout feature. It added a tactile, emotive quality to the images that enhanced their mood and character.
Tonality: The tonal range was strong in highlights and midtones but often clipped shadows. While some might see this as a flaw, I found it to be part of the film’s charm. This characteristic added drama to the images, particularly in high-contrast scenes.
Acutance: Slightly soft, which made it ideal for portraits. The gentle edges softened facial features, lending a timeless quality to the images.
Contrast: The midtones were fairly flat, but the highlights retained good detail. The tradeoff? A lot of shadow information was lost. While this might not be ideal for technical photography, it worked wonderfully for artistic or emotional images.
Digital Conversion: This film scanned beautifully. The grain provided natural texture that translated well to digital files. I always found it easy to focus on BRF 400 Plus negatives in live view, and they worked well with my digital camera sensors for hybrid workflows.
If you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on some Bergger BRF 400 Plus, know that you’re holding a piece of photographic history. It’s a stock that excelled in mood-driven photography—portraits, gritty street scenes, and evocative landscapes. While it wasn’t the sharpest or most versatile film, its unique qualities made it a favorite for those willing to embrace its quirks.
This film’s days of fresh rolls may be long gone, but its legacy lives on in the images it helped create. And for those of us lucky enough to have shot it, Bergger BRF 400 Plus is a reminder of why we love film photography: not for perfection, but for character, imperfection, and the stories our photos tell.
Thanks for watching, and if you’ve ever shot BRF 400 Plus, I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments. Let’s keep this stock’s story alive. Until next time, happy shooting!
(AI wrote this narrative.)
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @davidhancock
David Hancock's Amazon Author Page with Links to Select Camera Manual eBooks:
https://www.amazon.com/David-Hancock/...
Video Index:
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - Bergger BRF Plus 400 Review
1:04 - Bergger BRF Plus 400 Best Tips, Tricks, and Practices
3:30 - Bergger BRF Plus 400 Image Characteristics
My Instagram:
/ davidhancock
Информация по комментариям в разработке