Fixing and washing Foma films

pschauss · Aug 8, 2006

I have seen suggestions here that some of the eastern European films have rather soft emulsions and should be fixed with a hardening fixer. Does this apply to Foma?

Also, their data sheet specifies washing for 30 minutes in running water. Can I substitute the Ilford 5-10-20 washing method if I use a non-hardening fixer?

Thanks,

Tom Hoskinson · Aug 8, 2006

I do not use a stop bath - I use a water rinse instead. I fix Foma films (also Efke, Ilford and Kodak films) with a non-hardening neutral pH rapid fixer. After fixing, I rinse the film to remove the fixer that is on the surface of the film, then I use the soak and dump method of washing with 5 or 6 complete water changes - This is pretty much equivalent to the Ilford 5-10-20 method.

I have no problems with emulsion damage with any of these films.

Roger Hicks · Aug 8, 2006

Dear Peter,

I'll second Tom. I use only Fomapan 200 out of their range, but fix with non-hardening Ilford Hypam and use the Ilford 5-10-20 wash, usually repeating one step out of paranoia. No problems in many years.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

Konical · Aug 8, 2006

Good Morning, Peter,

I use Foma 200 in 120 size. I treat it basically the same as I do any other B & W general purpose film. I use Kodak Rapid Fix (with hardener), then hypo clear, and the usual wash.

Konical

srs5694 · Aug 8, 2006

I don't know about the hardening features of Foma films, but I've used both hardening and non-hardening fixers with them, with no obvious problems with the non-hardening fixers.

As to washing times, IIRC 30 minutes is a fairly typical recommendation if you don't use hypo clear. I've always used hypo clear and either a 5-minute wash (with hardening fixers) or the Ilford method (with non-hardening fixers). Like Roger, I repeat a step or two just to be on the safe side when I use the Ilford method. My oldest Foma films are only about a year old, though, so if I've been underfixing or underwashing I might not have noticed problems yet.

Fotohuis · Aug 8, 2006

I am using Foma for over 10 years. Still the same method:
Stop with citric acid, S-10 1+19 Amaloco, Fix non hardening odourless X89 1+4 Amaloco, regular wash or Ilford method and wetting agent H-10 Amaloco.
35mm and 120 roll film on the Jobo reel. Compared to Forte/Bergger or Efke/ADOX you can not speak from really soft emulsions.

Best regards,

Robert

poutnik · Aug 8, 2006

Peter,

I shoot Fomapan 100 in rolls. I either use their fixer (Fomafix) or Tetenal Superfix and then a modified version of Ilford style wash (10,15,20,25,30)... No problems so far (but it's only been for a year or so...)

poutnik · Aug 8, 2006

I forgot to add, that to my observations, the film doesn't seem any more fragile or soft than Ilford HP5+, Ilford Delta 3200... And I've used Fomapan 100 in 120 and 9x12cm...

Fixing and washing Foma films

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