Arista EDU film - is it xtra thick?

[get_me_a_gun]

Hi,

Every time I develop Arista with sprint chemistry, I get really thick, dark negatives. Could it just be the batch or is this common with Arista (aka Foma) film? I prefer thinner negatives because they are easier to print... Im going to stick with Ilford and Agfa from now on.

-Lisa

 

[MikeK]

Lisa:

I shoot Arista EDU-Ultra at an EI of 100 using either D76 1:1 for 7 minutes or Pyrocat HD 10:10:1000 for 11 minutes and get very printable negatives.

Sounds as if you are either over exposing or really over developing the film.

My main film is Ilford FP4 & HP5 but have really come to like Fomapan 200, and the Arista prices are really beat.

Mike

 

[get_me_a_gun]

I use the reccomended times on the charts for sprint chemistry. I expose for what my meter tells me. It only seems to happen with that film though. Maybe its fogged?..

 

[rmolson]

fogged film

CHeckthe ede marks ofthe film and the clear areas betweenthe exposures. If they are also blacken ,then the film is fogged If they are clear and the frame numbers and film Id are normal then it is either exposure,caused by metering and /or camera problems .

 

[erikg]

As other folks have said, Dense negs can come from over-exposure, over-development, fog and any combination of the three. Since it isn't happening with other films you are using, I would look at development or fog as a likely culprit. I have some experience with the Foma films in Sprint developer and I know that they should look pretty normal if everything is working right. Since there are so many different films under the Arista name it wouldn't hurt to double check the chart to make sure you are using the right time. The difference between the times for the Forte films and the Foma films is big enough to make a difference. And there are still the Arista II (agfa) films in the mix. I have certainly made that mistake.

 

[MikeK]

As other folks have said, Dense negs can come from over-exposure, over-development, fog and any combination of the three. Since it isn't happening with other films you are using, I would look at development or fog as a likely culprit. I have some experience with the Foma films in Sprint developer and I know that they should look pretty normal if everything is working right. Since there are so many different films under the Arista name it wouldn't hurt to double check the chart to make sure you are using the right time. The difference between the times for the Forte films and the Foma films is big enough to make a difference. And there are still the Arista II (agfa) films in the mix. I have certainly made that mistake.

This is a good point. The original Arista Edu film was Fortepan the Arista Edu Ultra is Fomapan. Arista Edu in Spint 1:9 is 10 minutes; Arista Edu Ultra in Sprint 1:9 is only 6.5 minutes - the time difference here is more than enough to give you dense negatives. Which variant of Arista film are you using?

Mike

 

[get_me_a_gun]

It just says Arista.EDU ultra on the box. 100 speed. I think the batch was fogged.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

It just says Arista.EDU ultra on the box. 100 speed. I think the batch was fogged.

Unless you purchased old out-of-date film that hasn't been stored properly, it is highly unlikely that you got fogged film. Certainly not from Freestyle, and I can assure you that the factory has good enough quality control (in either Forte or Foma) to not ship any fogged film.

 

[Rolleijoe]

Without seeing an example, I would also say it sounds like user error...aka overdevelopment. Foma done in Rodinal is about as perfect a combination as is possible. And I've never had a problem with either.

There's not enough money in the world for me to use Ilford, and as for Agfa, they are no more. Fomapan is the closest look to APX there is left to us.

Try reducing your developing time. Remember, those numbers are merely starting guides. Everyone should conduct tests to establish their own EIs.

 

[MikeK]

It just says Arista.EDU ultra on the box. 100 speed. I think the batch was fogged.

This is the Forte version of Arista film. The 100 speed version should only be developed for 7.5 minutes in Sprint developer at a 1:9 dilution.

My guess is over development

Mike

 

[get_me_a_gun]

I developed for 7.5 mins in sprint 1:9. I guess for the next roll i will try to develop for a shorter time. Rodinal would just make it worse, I think. I dont know. Ill try it out. I think I only have 1 roll left anyway. I got tired of it.

 

[AirTimid]

Arista.edu Ultra is Foma
Arista.edu is Forte
Arista II is Agfa

I really like Foma and haven't had any trouble with it. It's also an awesome film to work with. Doesn't curl much and is great for scanning. Forte would be the opposite. I've never had as many problems loading a reel as I did with Forte. Not a bad look, although too grainy for my tastes.

 

[erikg]

This is the Forte version of Arista film. The 100 speed version should only be developed for 7.5 minutes in Sprint developer at a 1:9 dilution.

My guess is over development

Mike

I curse Freestyle for creating this confusion but isn't Arista.edu Ultra Foma film? In any case I agree that over-development is probably the cause. Just like with most plane crashes, it's operator error. Don't give up on the film though, I'd give it another go with less time.

 

[erikg]

Whoops, sorry, didn't see the other posts. Operator error again.