I started replying to Niall’s blog post and noticed it wasn’t a comment anymore, it was a blog post. So here it is (with a few typo corrections).
You kind a wrote exactly what has been on my mind for the past few months. I went down similar road as you describe in your post — I never got to printing tho’. For 18 months (since fall 2009) I bought and tried almost every type of camera, film and developer I could imagine. I have sold most of the equipment that has not pleased me but I still own too large collection and I have film worth at least 300 euros in my fridge.
For the past 7-8 months I have barely touched a camera and it’s been months since I developed my last roll of film. (I cannot count the two rolls I processed this fall because the C-41 chemicals were dead and the results are better in b&w.) Since I moved into a new apartment 2.5 weeks ago, I’ve been thinking of downsizing both my camera and film stock. I think I keep only the great and sharp Yashica Mat EM and my first own film camera, Nikon EM, and keep shooting b&w film with them. I’ll sell the rest to the next enthusiast. I’ll continue using Agfa Rodinal as my main b&w developer. I’ll sell most of the C-41 film I’ve hoarded.
And I have the exact same problem. Which film to replace Neopan 400 with?!
I guess I have grown up.
