Foma Retropan Test

[fotolapinski]

I have finished Foma Retropan test. The film was developed in Ilford ID0-11 developer, dilution 1+1 in Jobo CPA-2, rotation 4. In my practice this is a standard rotation for developing films, not too strong but not giving any streaks or signs of uneven development. The film was tested for my Zone system, so results may be different for other photographers.
These are results:
Dev time Sensitivity
N-1 10 200
N+0 17 200
N+1 23 250

The characteristic curve from tests:

The x axis - zones, y-axis - optical density.
I didn't do any practical photograhic tests, so I can not write anything about grain, sharpness, etc.

 

[trendland]

I have finished Foma Retropan test. The film was developed in Ilford ID0-11 developer, dilution 1+1 in Jobo CPA-2, rotation 4. In my practice this is a standard rotation for developing films, not too strong but not giving any streaks or signs of uneven development. The film was tested for my Zone system, so results may be different for other photographers.
These are results:
Dev time Sensitivity
N-1 10 200
N+0 17 200
N+1 23 250

........so I can not write anything about grain, sharpness, etc.

.......well your courves are looking not so bad.
Of course this is a film designed to get bw negatives.
So it might be working quite well.
But let me tell you : The grain of this film is a hard problem...
But your results are interisting in regard
of the use of ID 11.

with regards

 

[tih]

I have finished Foma Retropan test.

Very interesting! I've done some tests too, but with HC-110. I used an X-Rite model 334 to expose the film, and an RH Designs Analyser Pro to measure the negatives (placing the film directly onto the sensor). I'm attaching my Libreoffice/Openoffice spread sheet showing the complete results of the testing. The spread sheet is the one Ralph Lambrecht created for the utterly excellent "Way Beyond Monochrome" books, with a few small bug fixes by me.

TL;DR: With HC-110, use dilution E (1+47) for condenser enlargers, and dilution B (1+31) for diffusion enlargers, and expose and develop as follows:

N-2: 4 minutes, 125 ASA
N-1: 5.5 minutes, 160 ASA
N: 8 minutes, 200 ASA
N+1: 12 minutes, 200 ASA
N+2: 19 minutes, 250 ASA

The use of dilution B for diffusion enlargers is not shown by the spread sheet. Separate testing showed me that changing from dilution E to B caused a contrast change of about one paper grade; equivalent to the difference between typical condenser and diffusion enlargers.

 

[Philippe Grunchec]

But let me tell you : The grain of this film is a hard problem...

What do you mean by that?

 

[trendland]

What do you mean by that?

It is a real most grainy emulsion.Even if you decide : "Ok - it is a film with box speed ISO 320" - this film looks much more as an ISO 800 emulsion.
We discussed this issue here at Apug -
just comming from the question : "Why is this so special?"
And if you like most grain it is the right one.....

with regards

PS : Have a look at : "Foma Retropan 320 soft what is it real?"
There might also be other developer and
E.I. options - but this is depending on what you want.

 

[Philippe Grunchec]

Thx! I'm looking for a really grainy film.

 

[pentaxuser]

Thx! I'm looking for a really grainy film.

Well it is clear that Fomapan Retro meets Trendland's definition of really grainy but I am not sure which emulsion at 800 he has in mind because I cannot recall any B&W 800 speed films. It might be advisable to ask which film he is comparing Retro 320 with and secondly to have a look at the very long thread on Retro 320. Your conclusions on how grainy it is may differ from Trendland's conclusion.

pentaxuser