Foma reversal process kit chemicals availability?

hired goon · Apr 20, 2016

Hi -
Does anyone know where the the Foma reversal process kit can be reliably and consistently be purchased in the US, from someone who actually stocks them, and will ship?

B&H is always a 2-4 week lead time, with no indication if this is accurate or even possible - the site always says, "depending on availability." Not that it even matters, because they won't even ship it anymore - it has to be picked up. Thrill....

Freestyle has said "expected in stock June 3rd" on their site for 6 months (perhaps more) now.

Is this available anywhere from anyone? Do I need to become a dealer? Does anyone buy this stuff?

I have some standard 8 b&w movie film I've been hoping to process since January, and am growing impatient waiting for Freestyle supply to come in - if it ever does, assuming there will even be enough, etc.

Truzi · Apr 20, 2016

I'm not sure how to get it, but I too have some Foma 8mm I'm waiting to expose and develop. I will probably mix my own according to this article by Athiril:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

The "Overview" tab has the basics for a developer, and the "Discussion" tab goes into other details.

Mat1024 · Apr 20, 2016

Hi.

You can easily avoid buying the kit, which is expensive and hard to obtain. Reversal processing of B/W films is simple.
You can use a high contrast developer like microphen (stock), and one of the well known bleach solutions, for example permanganate - sulphuric acid (much safer than dichromate - not toxic). I've done it multiple times with Foma and Agfa reversal and "not reversal" (negative) films. Don't have the developing times noted though, done it years ago. You've got to calibrate the process yourself.

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 20, 2016

hired goon said:
Hi -
Does anyone know where the the Foma reversal process kit can be reliably and consistently be purchased in the US, from someone who actually stocks them, and will ship?

B&H is always a 2-4 week lead time, with no indication if this is accurate or even possible - the site always says, "depending on availability." Not that it even matters, because they won't even ship it anymore - it has to be picked up. Thrill....

Freestyle has said "expected in stock June 3rd" on their site for 6 months (perhaps more) now.

Is this available anywhere from anyone? Do I need to become a dealer? Does anyone buy this stuff?

I have some standard 8 b&w movie film I've been hoping to process since January, and am growing impatient waiting for Freestyle supply to come in - if it ever does, assuming there will even be enough, etc.

Hi,
You can contact Mr. Jiri Chrtek Area Sales Manager for North America from Foma and ask what's going on with the US importer or distributors.
You can buy from these chaps here: http://www.fomafoto.com/index.php/vm/b-w-film/chemistry
Or these ones: http://www.processuk.net/FOMA/cat740598_2350360.aspx
And don't worry, they won't hold a gun to you unlike the chaps in the U.S. of A.

R.Gould · Apr 20, 2016

It is no good trying Process Supplies in the UK as they do not ship chemicals outside of the UK, I have not seen the Reversal kit advertised on UK sites for some time, I believe that they have stopped cutting the reversal film into 35mm, and I have heard rumors that the kit may have been stopped, It is not listed on Fomafoto or anywhere else over here as far as I can see, Having had a quick look the only place I see the kit is at Silverprint or AG photographic, at £35 GBP, but no Foma reversal film in 35mm

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 20, 2016

R.Gould said:
It is no good trying Process Supplies in the UK as they do not ship chemicals outside of the UK, I have not seen the Reversal kit advertised on UK sites for some time, I believe that they have stopped cutting the reversal film into 35mm, and I have heard rumors that the kit may have been stopped, It is not listed on Fomafoto or anywhere else over here as far as I can see, Having had a quick look the only place I see the kit is at Silverprint or AG photographic, at £35 GBP, but no Foma reversal film in 35mm

Richard,
Did you click the links I posted?
It seems not. You just assumed something.
The links go straight to pages where the kit and its price are available.
But, here are some more detailed links: http://www.processuk.net/FOMA_Reversal_Kit_for_B_W_Film/p740597_12022792.aspx
http://www.processuk.net/FOMA_Reversal_Kit_for_B_W_Film/p740597_12022792.aspx
http://www.fomafoto.com/index.php/vm/b-w-film/chemistry/foma-r100-developer-detail

Yes, PS don't post chemicals outside of the UK.
But, Fomafoto might.

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 20, 2016

P.S. Yes, 35mm Foma R100 is no longer available and it isn't any more on Foma's site:

The film is manufactured in the following sizes:
– 16 mm one-edge perforated / 30.5 m
– 2x8 mm (standard) /10 m
– 2xSuper 8 mm (DS 8) /10 m

R.Gould · Apr 21, 2016

I clicked on both the Process site, which is where I get all of my Fomapan film from, last night and the kit was not there, it is back there this morning, but my main point was that Process does not send chemistry out of the UK. I also clicked on your link last night to Fomafoto before I posted and it took me to chemistry, and again no sign of the kit, again it is there on your link today. i AM NOT IN THE HABIT OF OF MAKING ASSUMPTIONS.I ALWAYS check before I post, and if when I check it is not listed then I can only say what I see, and on neither site could I find the kits listed yesterday evening, could have been a problem with the sites, could have been a problem with your link. and I cam comfirm that Fomafoto will send overseas, but the cost of sending the kit would cost more than the kit itself, please check postage rates before suggesting a dealer, also, as I have often used the kit for reversal processing of Rollei film in the past, when I could not find it at dealers I contacted Foma and the told me that they were considering cancelling the product due to low sales volume,

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 21, 2016

Dear Richard,
It could have been your browser displaying a cached page. They were there when I first posted.
I also enquired with PS about Fomadon LQN that a chap in another thread said it had been discontinued or that was what B&H in the US says.
It hasn't and they have it in stock.
Thanks for the further explanation.
I'm sorry to hear they are considering cancelling the R100 kit.

R.Gould · Apr 21, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Dear Richard,
It could have been your browser displaying a cached page. They were there when I first posted.
I also enquired with PS about Fomadon LQN that a chap in another thread said it had been discontinued or that was what B&H in the US says.
It hasn't and they have it in stock.
Thanks for the further explanation.
I'm sorry to hear they are considering cancelling the R100 kit.

Hopefully they might change their mind as it is so much easier than any other way to have everything in one pack, I don't reverse process much, but sometimes, with the right film stock, it can be fun, although it is the only Foma chemistry I use,I prefer, these days. to develop Foma 400/200 in the execelent Firstcall film developer, which is re branded Rollei RHS developer, much finer grain and better tonality and detail than with RO9. I would tend to agree about Process supplies as being the place for everything foma since Martin Reed is importing the full range though them,I would not go anywhere else. and to Firstcall Photographic for everything else
Richard

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 21, 2016

Hi,
You mean this one? http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/firstcall-rhs-d74-dc-film-developer-500ml-softpack/p5527

R.Gould · Apr 21, 2016

No wrong one I cant post a link to the product, not that good on the computar, the one I use is simply firstcall film decveloper 1 litre, it is around £4.5 and is in the same packs as the Rollei, they do a range of Firstcall chemistry, fixer,stop bath, print developer and film developer, all re branded Rollei chemicals and made by the same company in Germany, great value and great results, I speak from personal experiance, I have tried them all. I was very skeptical about chemistry at those prices, but the results speak for themselves, indeed, both the film developer and print developer are my main developers, the only differances between Rollei branded chemistry and Firstcall branded chemistry is the price
Richard

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 21, 2016

OK, got it: http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/firstcall-bw-film-developer-1-litre/p4724
My problem with Firstcall is their £8 delivery charges.
Saying that, just to go to PS is around £5.50 on the Tube.
The label says it is for 30-50 rolls and I got used to 83 rolls from R09 250ml at 1+100 stand development.
Ok, I'm lazy.
Are you sure this one is made in Germany?
BTW, Rollei doesn't make much. All of their stuff is made elsewhere.
It seems to me like a Champion product, something like Promicrol or Suprol.

R.Gould · Apr 21, 2016

This is made in Germany, I have checked and it is identical to Rollei RHS in every detail, including the instructions. even the bottle it is packed in, and it is completely different different to Promicrol, which I have tried in the past and didn't like, It is made by the same firm that makes the Rollei stuff, the only difference is the price, I have 2 bottles here and can read directly from the label, Develop Fomapan for 12 minutes @1/19 and the results are quite lovely, and the grain is very fine, it is now my standard film developer To find out more just google Rollei RHS film developer, the film timing's and instructions are the same, and Firstcall. with whom I have a very good relationship built up over many years, have confirmed that it is the Rollei product by another name, he only difference is the price, and as far as the carriage, you are lucky. living in the Channel Islands I pay £15 carriage but if you order enough it.s not so bad, better than AG, which quotes £19, the only cheaper one is PS who only charge postage
Richard

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 21, 2016

Thanks Richard!
I think it is a bit confusing with the names as Firstcall has a RHS D-74DC in softpack and a bottle of Firstcall B&W developer with the same times, so they are all the same.

Develop Fomapan for 12 minutes @1/19

Is that for Fomapan 400? Or is it the same for both 200 and 400?

R.Gould · Apr 22, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Thanks Richard!
I think it is a bit confusing with the names as Firstcall has a RHS D-74DC in softpack and a bottle of Firstcall B&W developer with the same times, so they are all the same.

Is that for Fomapan 400? Or is it the same for both 200 and 400?

The times are for the 400. I got them from another source, the bottle does not give times for Fomapan films and only for dilutions of up to 1/15 (1/9.1/12 and 1/15), so I googled it and found the times, Can't say weather the softpak developer is the same as the Film developer but it is a lot more expensive, to the best of my knowledge there is a difference between the 2.I have come across Rollei RHS and Rollei RHS D 74DS so I would presume there is a difference as the second developer is a lot more expensive from Rollei and the dev time is different between the two, I quote for the Litre film developer, and it works fine for Fomapan 400

Richard

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 22, 2016

Thanks!

hired goon · Apr 22, 2016

Hi guys -
Thanks for the info, and I have indeed seen those threads before - it isn't that I so much want the Foma kit per se, but instead more clear cut directions and what to actually do, what concentrations, what chemicals, and where to buy, etc. I was hoping the Foma kit, although way overpriced, and way hard to find, may hopefully give me that info (at first to start), so I then can source other chemicals later, etc. There are bit and pieces of info scattered about, and a nice amount in those previous threads, but all seem to end with "experiment for yourself." OK, that's fine - if I get the foma kit, and use the foma film, I'm thinking there will be less experimentation for me *at first.* Foma kit/foma chem/foma directions.

I don't have to go with a kit - the bleach (any type - I don't care) isn't so easy to find - at least I can't seem to find it. The other stuff, like developer I already have.

So, if I understand this correctly, all I really need are the chems for the bleaching step? Where can I get in the US? Any type - I don't care at this point what they are.

Ilford's reversal directions for their negative film seem pretty easy to follow - if only they made reversal movie film - then I'd be all set.

Tony

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 22, 2016

Well, I don't know in the US how much it costs, but in the UK it is only £32. Not that pricey. It isn't like Koda bulk rolls for £150+.
All the info about the kit is here: http://foma-cz.cs4.cstech.cz/en/catalogue-processing-set-for-fomapan-r100-detail-440
There's a link for the PDF file in there with instructions.

37th Exposure · Apr 22, 2016

For DIY instructions you might try the much vaunted Darkroom Cookbook by Anchell. I just bought the latest edition (4th) and it tells you how to reverse your own. It's just too daunting for me to actually try though. Or you could try the free data sheet from Ilford that is on their website as someone already mentioned.

avortex · May 30, 2016

Truzi said:
I'm not sure how to get it, but I too have some Foma 8mm I'm waiting to expose and develop. I will probably mix my own according to this article by Athiril:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

The "Overview" tab has the basics for a developer, and the "Discussion" tab goes into other details.

I second this advice. The Foma kit works well -identical results than buying Fomadon LQR developer and mixing the rest of the chemicals by yourself-, but the formula published by Athiril is a tad superior. And so cheap to mix!

hired goon · Jun 15, 2016

If you can even find them, the Foma processing kits in the US go for $60 USD, and can process 1 100' roll of 16mm. I'd originally thought they'd do 2 rolls, but alas, that is not the case. I personally think that's a little excessive for one roll, so hence the desire to mix myself.

Xmas · Jun 16, 2016

Another option is
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/webfiles/20114271220441194.pdf
?

hired goon · Jun 17, 2016

Yes, and in fact that is where I started this whole journey. I just don't know how well these instructions will work with the Foma R100 film. I believe there is a discussion on that somewhere as well that I came across. I think at this point, with the info gathered here, as well as from some of the links to other discussion posts above, I may have enough info to give this a go, and see how it comes out, and then adjust accordingly. If the Foma kits were more available/affordable, this wouldn't be too much of an issue, but mixing myself seems like it could be a better option, leaving more funds available for film!

Foma reversal process kit chemicals availability?

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