6 Foma 400 films with only one cassette - desperate or innovative?
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I've never seen that before.
If a buyer shoots one roll and sends it somewhere to be processed he/she would be left with no cassettes.
I guess it's only for those of us who process it ourselves.
If a buyer shoots one roll and sends it somewhere to be processed he/she would be left with no cassettes.
I guess it's only for those of us who process it ourselves.
Foma have been offering these for quite a while now via their own store. As for cassette shortage - they've been selling them as well: https://fomaobchod.cz/en/photographersrequirements/metalsnapcapdxcoded/
I've been wondering why only Fomapan 100 & 400 and not 200? Has to do with the more fragile emulsion of the latter?
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Refill rolls used to be a thing: see the third picture down on this page:
I believe 35mm film was sold that way in the FSU back in the 1960's & 1970's.
I quite like the idea, saves on disposable packaging while less intimidating/investment compared to bulk loading.
MattKing
Moderator
It is 10 meters of film. 1/3 of a 30 meter bulk load + a cassette.
I assume you can put the film in a bulk loader.
I assume you can put the film in a bulk loader.
During the USSR area, there was a 35mm 36 exp. film sold , here in Europe, standard wrapped in black paper and packed in a cardboard box. You had to put the film in a reusable cassette yourself.
I can't recall the brand's name because I couldn't read the Cyrillic alphabet...
I can't recall the brand's name because I couldn't read the Cyrillic alphabet...
No, it's 6 x 1,7m of film + 1 cassette.
MattKing
Moderator
You are right - I read it wrong.
I use it and it is quite handy. The spare films are wound on a spool secured with a rubber band and placed in black canisters. It is very easy to put it in cassette. No risk of scratches, no bulk loader or other equipment needed and you save 20%.
this looks like a modern interpretation of an old concept. I have been told, and vintage ads bear this out, that in the 60s and 70s it was quite common for film manufacturers to offer something between what we think of as bulk and a single cassette. Loads of 6-10 metres of film from major players like Ilford and 3M (Ferrania) were available.
This product seems a bit like bulk loading for people who neither have nor desire a bulk loader. Probably a niche but a good option to have.
This product seems a bit like bulk loading for people who neither have nor desire a bulk loader. Probably a niche but a good option to have.
I think that's exactly right. I'd add just one comment: if the spools are compatible with Leica cassettes, then that would revive precisely the conditions that are described in various Leica publications from the '50s.
Can we be sure it was prompted by cassette shortage or by that alone. Is this a shortage that affects Foma only or are Ilford and Kodak experiencing the same thing?
What other reasons might it be for? Maybe to demonstrate to customers that Foma recognises the increase in film prices vis a vis the smaller increase in disposable income.? If so I find it somewhat ironic that the smaller company already producing the cheapest product is the first to try and help customers who are "feeling the squeeze" as the saying goes when prices increase faster than incomes
It is almost as if the poorest neighbour is the one who helps others the most but in fact isn't there some evidence that this is the case in society anyway
pentaxuser
Can we be sure it was prompted by cassette shortage or by that alone. Is this a shortage that affects Foma only or are Ilford and Kodak experiencing the same thing?
What other reasons might it be for? Maybe to demonstrate to customers that Foma recognises the increase in film prices vis a vis the smaller increase in disposable income.? If so I find it somewhat ironic that the smaller company already producing the cheapest product is the first to try and help customers who are "feeling the squeeze" as the saying goes when prices increase faster than incomes
It is almost as if the poorest neighbour is the one who helps others the most but in fact isn't there some evidence that this is the case in society anyway
pentaxuser
As I caught on local photographic forum (in Czech) it was caused by defective cartridges from the manufacturer. Foma was surprised by the success of this 5+1 packs, but the future of this pack is uncertain.
Foma's statement originally, not Fotoimpex's. See their web shop.
There has certainly been a shortage of end caps for the regular cassettes, as Kodak experienced last year. But that won't be the only reason. This is a modern interpretation of an old idea, and might help people who don't want to invest in a bulk loader to save a bit on film costs.
You can always request the cassette is returned if you send the film to a lab. For those who process themselves but don't want the cost of a bulk loader or don't think they'll run through 50 or 100 feet before it expires, this is another option.
I don't think it is desperation at all. Foma in regular 135 cassettes remains in stock and available.
You can always request the cassette is returned if you send the film to a lab. For those who process themselves but don't want the cost of a bulk loader or don't think they'll run through 50 or 100 feet before it expires, this is another option.
I don't think it is desperation at all. Foma in regular 135 cassettes remains in stock and available.
I'd want a good view of the cassette I'm expected to reuse before buying that set. I have (somewhere) three bulk-loaders and a box of cassettes. The ones I use are old metal ones, with ends that just snap on when you compress the tube in your hand; easy to open and to close. Mine are old Adox, and even older Ilford ones. I wish they still used these. Even if they become unusable, it's all metal so it can go in my scrap bucket for recycling.
As to the price, film is getting expensive for reasons. 22 Euro for six rolls of film doesn't look bad to me. Six cassettes would be 32 Euro, wouldn't it?
As to the price, film is getting expensive for reasons. 22 Euro for six rolls of film doesn't look bad to me. Six cassettes would be 32 Euro, wouldn't it?
6 cassettes of foma 400 on teh photo Impex site are 28.32 euros- Taxes out. while the special almost Bulk pack is 19.61 also taxes out.
Spotted the set on (advertiser) Freestyle Photo's site. the plot thickens, acording to the photo on Freestles site the description includes 5 rolls as reloads and one roll in a PLASTIC cassette.
www.freestylephoto.com
(I just was spooling some film today and realized that I do not have anymore spare plain (non DX) metal cassettes. except for some soviet metal ones that I was more thinking off as "collectable" - I do have several 400DX cassettes that have been used one or more times) I wonder if we can persuade Ferrania to make blanks.
Foma Fomapan 400 ISO 35mm x 36 exp. - Set of 6
Fomapan 400 Action is a panchromatic sensitized, black-and-white negative film designed for taking photographs under unfavorable light conditions or using short exposure times. The film meets high requirements for low granularity, good resolving power and good contour sharpness. Fomapan 400…
www.freestylephoto.com
(I just was spooling some film today and realized that I do not have anymore spare plain (non DX) metal cassettes. except for some soviet metal ones that I was more thinking off as "collectable" - I do have several 400DX cassettes that have been used one or more times) I wonder if we can persuade Ferrania to make blanks.
Some of the reloads for Kodak cassettes were daylight loading. The film was spooled and then had a paper wrapper. You inserted the spool with protective paper in place, assembled the cassette with the paper tongue sticking out then pulled out the paper and attached film leader.
I think something similar (if not the same) worked with Leica cassettes. The Leica cassettes I have all have the original spools.
Yes. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said "precisely"; but the description in post 11 does suggest that the rolls would be simple enough to place into Leica cassettes. I wonder what exactly protects the film from the light - presumably more than just the rubber band.
I think I'd better buy a set to try it out!
It had light-tight paper similar to backing paper on the roll film.
Same as reloads manufactured in the USSR. I found an old book that mentions that these reloads were particularly useful for travellers/hikers/tourists. The Leica cassettes of the time were quite heavy and the weight savings would be considerable. I assume one would load the cassette under the daylight, expose the film, rewind it back into the cassette, and replace it with the new spool.
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No, I meant the current Foma film. I use Leica cassettes with bulk film as it is.
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