ADOX CHS 100 II - 35mm Black & White Film

Soft, airy, and delicate. The 1960s called—they want you to have this film. ADOX CHS 100 II is an orthopanchromatic black and white film that produces delicate, dreamy images with open shadows, creamy highlights, and smooth tonal transitions. With two emulsions coated in a single layer on a crystal-clear archival PET base, this ISO 100 film delivers classical grain, excellent sharpness, and a genuine vintage aesthetic that doesn't feel forced. It's fine art photography in a canister, and it responds beautifully to creative development.

What Makes ADOX CHS 100 II Good

ISO 100 - Slow and steady, perfect for deliberate shooting in good light. Massive exposure latitude means it's forgiving when you're experimenting with exposure or pushing/pulling in development.

Orthopanchromatic Emulsion - Reduced red sensitivity creates deeper skies with clouds that actually stand out, and balanced tonal reproduction in portraits. Skin tones render beautifully without going too bright.

Two Anti-Halation Layers - One between the emulsion and base, one on the backside. Translation: very sharp images with minimal light scatter and reduced curling. Also helps minimize light piping (though you should still load carefully in subdued light).

Clear Base Layer - Opens up creative possibilities for transparency development if you want to experiment beyond standard negatives.

Excellent Subject Differentiation - Great at distinguishing between subtle neighbouring tones—water vs land, lips vs face, fabric textures. Detail where it matters.

Developer Flexibility - Want velvety softness? Use Atomal. Balanced contrast and optimal sharpness? FX-39. Extra high definition with elevated contrast? Adonal/Rodinal. This film plays well with different developers, so you can tailor the look. (Avoid tanning developers though.)

The Quirk You Need to Know About

Light Piping - Like all polyester-based films, light can sneak through the base and fog your first few frames. Load in shadow or subdued light, not blazing sunshine. A little caution = no surprises.

Best For

Fine art photography, portraiture, landscapes with dramatic skies, anything where you want that authentic 1960s film aesthetic, and photographers who appreciate soft, airy tonality over hard contrast.

Perfect for photographers who want their black and white work to feel timeless, elegant, and just a bit romantic.