Foma introduces Retropan 320 in 120 format

Nokton48 · Mar 11, 2018

002 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I have chosen to support Foma in their creation of a new photographic emulsion. My only interests in it are in the larger format, and possibly in 120 when it is released here. I have 300 sheets on the Retro 9x12cm I purchased from a dealer in Germany. The metric sized films are not easy to access in the USA.

Foma Retro Dev by Nokton48, on Flickr

As I recall I had to order this from overseas, as well. When I have time (!!) I will start to use these new to me materials. And I will order the 120 size to fit in my Plaubel Makina III's, Makiflexes, and Hasselblads. I have no interest in the 35mm emulsion, only the larger formats.

P.johnson14 · Mar 11, 2018

I shoot a combination of old machinery/automobiles and landscapes. I just spent the last hour looking at the results of this film in 35mm. Based on what I saw, I think I'm going to try it in both 35 and 120 this summer, instead of FP4+. I like the look for certain applications.

iakustov · Mar 12, 2018

I shot this film in 5''x7'' format and developed in their special developer. In my opinion, it is really suited for (soft)portraits of women and contact printed. For other use, Fomapan 100 looks much better for me and is cheaper.

trendland · Mar 12, 2018

aleckurgan said:
Already available through their web shop:
https://fomaobchod.cz/blackwhitenegativefilms/rollfilms/fomapanroll/retropan320120-6x9cmroll[11761]

From my point R320 isn't a film to shot avaible light. I can see no pushing options with this film. It is a film to shot in normal daylight if you want a more grainy look in comparison to other (normal) films with simular speed.

It might be the prefered film to people who loves Rodinal developer.
Because with R320 you would have no need to Rodinal and you would have simular grainy characteristics with normal developers.
"Just try E.I. ISO 400/27 with D-76 if your Rodinal is running out"
with regards

trendland · Mar 12, 2018

And to very special intentions it might be the prefered bw emulsion in combination with Foma Retro Developer in regard of a more soft characteristic and [with higher E.I. ISO 640] to get extreme grainy look.
with regards

Sirius Glass · Mar 12, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
Other than a snappy film case for 120 film, what does it offer? Old photographs? Does it make people look older? Interested readers want to know.

Svenedin said:
If it is very cheap I might buy it for the film canisters

I am wondering if those snappy film cases really bring anything to the party.

lantau · Mar 12, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
I am wondering if those snappy film cases really bring anything to the party.

I wonder if the film will really be supplied in those. I know that some Foma finished film was shipped like that. For example the Rollei CN200 unmasked C41 film, of which I have a few rolls and I like it very much.

But the three Fomapan films come in a wrapper. Quite a thick one as well, it is a very tight fit to stick a wrapped Fomapan into one of those canisters. I prefer not to because I don't want to put pressure on the film.

But if they do come in those canisters and without wrapper (like the Rollei CN200) it is reassuring to know that, according to the manufacturer, they close air tight.

trendland · Mar 13, 2018

lantau said:
I wonder if the film will really be supplied in those. I know that some Foma finished film was shipped like that. For example the Rollei CN200 unmasked C41 film, of which I have a few rolls and I like it very much.

But the three Fomapan films come in a wrapper. Quite a thick one as well, it is a very tight fit to stick a wrapped Fomapan into one of those canisters. I prefer not to because I don't want to put pressure on the film.

But if they do come in those canisters and without wrapper (like the Rollei CN200) it is reassuring to know that, according to the manufacturer, they close air tight.

Perhaps you may remember the wooden boxes of first Rollei Films 10 x pack.
They have been avaible a relative short time.
with regards

trendland · Mar 13, 2018

Back to topic with 120 Foma film?
I am no friend of grainy films but I can live with grain in cases of no alternate.
With E.I. ISO 6400 you might shot locations wich you normaly would never shot on film.
No way with this film - because a simple HP5 would do this job better in comparison.
With HP5 you can also get a grainy look in normal light situations if you just want it.
with regards

trendland · Mar 13, 2018

To me this film has a chance if you are able to smaler it's grain a little bit. Therefore the 120 format (and higher) is a real good approach....
I tryed to reduce grain with alternate developers, alternate methods (stand developement outside Rodinal Developer) and with lower E.I. on 35 mm.
with regards

Роберт · Apr 4, 2018

Big grain in 35mm is relative ...... :

Retropan 320 soft in Supergrain 1+9. Zorki-6 + Industar-50 F/3,5-50mm.

pentaxuser · Apr 4, 2018

Wow the grain in that dog is massive and not evenly distributed either

pentaxuser

flavio81 · Apr 6, 2018

Great idea from Foma. Getting grain in medium format is not easy. Yeah you can push film, but contrast will go to hell.

Also , if retropan is truly ISO 320 and low contrast, it would mean snappy contrast at EI 640 or so...

Nokton48 · May 2, 2018

June 22nd availability from Freestyle...............

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/57456-Foma-Retropan-320-Soft-120-Size

Nokton48 · Aug 25, 2018

20 rolls FOMA Retropan Soft 120 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Nokton48 · Dec 5, 2018

I finally got an opportunity to shoot some Retropan 320 in 120 size. Daylight exposure (full sun) was F11 at 1/60, 1/30. 1/15, an 1/8.

This is a lot of what could be overexposure. But I may have bellows draw due to very long lens, and my developer may not give me maximum speed.

We will see when I have time to finish the roll and develop it. This was a total guess, but I think 320 is not going to happen. Results are what count.

Nokton48 · Dec 5, 2018

Makiflex Std 150 Xenotar 105 Red Sinar Filter + 4XND by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here is a full sun test exposure, shot on 9x12cm Retro 320, cropped to 6.5x9cm for easy scanning. Stock Microdol-X Developer, 25 minutes 68F in a JOBO tank Multitank 5 rotated by Unicolor Uniroller.
150mm F2.8 Schneider Xenotar wide open, with SINAR dark red filter, and ND4X as well. Exposure 1/125 at F2.8

Auer · Sep 17, 2021

I got a bunch of this in 120, enjoying it so far. Has a nice "look" to it.

City Frame-143 by Eric Auer, on Flickr

City Frame-144 by Eric Auer, on Flickr

Foma introduces Retropan 320 in 120 format

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