Arista Edu

I'm sure this has been covered here before, however I would request that you indulge this relatively newbie to the APUG. What has the experience been of APUG members using this film. At $1.29 per roll of 120 in the quantities in which I would purchase it, there is a great deal of price differential between this and other widely available Kodak, Ilford, etc. films. Thanks in advance. Bill Barber

I'd add that Freestyle is in the process of switching from Ilford and Forte (Arista Pro and Arista.EDU) to Agfa and Foma (Arista II and Arista.EDU Ultra) as their film suppliers. The Ilford and Forte stock is, AFAIK, in comparatively limited supply, and some of it might be short-dated by now. If you like the stuff and the price is right for the Ilford and Forte material, buy up as much of it as you think the price justifies. (Personally, I've got three unopened 100-foot 35mm reels of Arista Pro 50 in my freezer.)

The only ISO 100 Arista product I see that costs $1.29 per roll in 120 size is Arista.EDU Ultra when bought in quantities of 20 rolls or more. That'd make it the rebadged Fomapan 100, which should be available for the indefinite future. I've only shot one roll of this emulsion, and that in 35mm, so I don't have strong opinions on it one way or the other. I do very much like the Fomapan 400/Arista.EDU Ultra 400, though. There's something about the grain structure that appeals to me, but that's just a very subjective and ill-defined sort of "I like it" reaction; I can't be very precise about it, I'm afraid. Your best bet is probably just to buy a few rolls and try it for yourself.

Freestyle using Agfa?

jdef said:

Hi Bill.

Arista Edu. films are repacked films made by major manufacturers, such as Ilford, Forte, Agfa and Foma. Arista Edu., I believe is only currently available in 100 speed in 120, and is Fortepan 100.

Jay

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Hey Jay,
I haven't heard anything of Freestyle using Agfa as any of their replacements. Can you shed some light?

Thanks,
Rolleijoe

jdef said:

Hi Joe.

The Arista II films include the following in their descriptions:



Agfa is the only major manufacturer in Germany that I know of. It seems like theres a general concensus that these films are repackaged Agfa films, but I have no more definitive proof than the above.

Jay

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Hi there Jay, I just came from Frestyle's website, and for some reason, they're stating "Arista II, Still made in England" on 1 page, then when checking out the film, It says "made in Czech Republic" which would make it Foma. I was hoping for some cheaper APX 100. I like the "look" of Fortepan for some things, but APX for others. Thanks, Rolleijoe

re: arista.edu 100-- the film is pretty good in tonality, but it is very curly after developed and the paper leaks in light from the edges. Also, the film literally stinks, (although that is subjective). Good value, though.

Jon

Rolleijoe said:

Hi there Jay, I just came from Frestyle's website, and for some reason, they're stating "Arista II, Still made in England" on 1 p]

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That's likely the paper. Paper is supposed to be Kentmere.

I'm with Jon.

I found teh 120 .edu stuff to be WORTHLESS. It curled badly, seemed a bit physically thin, and I found random "specks" of concentrated emulsion all over the stuff.

Plus the paper leaks like a sieve.....Out of 5 rolls ALL had fogging from this to some degree. The adhesive used is VERY poor and comes undone after an hour or two.

Jon Shiu said:

re: arista.edu 100-- the film is pretty good in tonality, but it is very curly after developed and the paper leaks in light from the edges. Also, the film literally stinks, (although that is subjective). Good value, though.

Jon

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Hi Jon, I've had the same problem with the film curling excessively, and light leaks on 2 rolls of film (1 was Fortepan 200 and the other AristaEDU 200 [before Arista switched to Foma]).

I'll try calling myself, and see what they say. I used to buy excellent Agfa papers from them 10 years ago that were marked as "Europe's Finest". Was really great stuff, with a pebble surface.

Thanks everybody,

Joe

For those who have used the EDU ULTRA, how do they compare to the regular EDU's? I didn't like the inconsistancy of the regular EDUs and because of the intermittent light leaks. Has the EDU Ultra series eliminated these manufacturing issues?