Foma T200

Snapshot

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Hi All,

I've read some interesting comments regarding this B&W film from Foma. From a grain, sharpness and performance standpoint, does T200 perform closer to a 100, 200 or 400 speed film? Some of what I read indicates that Forma T200 is more like a 100 ISO film. Additionally, what are the "souping" requirements for this film (e.g., 10 minutes in Rodinal @ 68F). Currently, I use using mostly XTOL and Rodinal.

I would appreciate any comments or shared experiences on this product.
 

Roger Hicks

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From Foma's own data sheets it's only ISO 200 (and actually not quite that) in speed-increasing developers. Its speed in almost all developers is very, very similar to Ilford FP4, but development times are mostly a good deal shorter because it's loaded with development accelerators.

It's grainier than FP4 plus, and not as sharp, but tonally it's gorgeous in the right dev: my favourite is FX39 but it doesn't keep well.

There's a gallery of Fomapan 200 pics of the Sittingbourne barge museum at www.rogerandfrances.com , but one of them's missing -- time to contact the web-master. Some of the pics in the Zeiss Ikon Spain gallery were shot on Fomapan 200 too, including the Baronchely Records pic.

Cheers,

Roger
 

David A. Goldfarb

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I find it works nicely at EI 200, 3 min in Acufine or 12 min. in PMK 1+2+50.

I think this one is Acufine (slightly cropped from 6x17cm)--

 

PhotoJim

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This is interesting. I've shot a couple of rolls of this film and found it was way too contrasty at ISO 200. My next roll, I shot at EI 100 and developed for about a minute less and the results were much better. Maybe I'm actually learning this photography stuff; it sounds like I found the sweet spot by instinct!

I like the tonality on your shot, David. I may have to give this film another try.
 

BradS

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I rate it at EI-125 and dev it in D-76. Seems like a nice film for the money. I was not at all impressed by their packaging (4x5) however.
 
OP
OP

Snapshot

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Sounds like a film worth trying out. Thanks for your input!
 

RoBBo

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So wait...
I thought you needed to do some odd process to get any B/W film to be positive, even this stuff, but from reading this thread, it sounds like it produces a positive in any normal developer, am I reading that right?
Do they make this stuff in sheet film?
Specifically...
11x14?
 

PhotoJim

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T200 is a negative film.
 

srs5694

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According to Foma's Web page, they do offer a reversal film, known as Fomapan R100. I don't see mention of processing on the Foma site, but Freestyle's page for the film specifies that it needs reversal processing; Freestyle seems to be pushing the dr5 service for this. I've never used this film, so I can't comment on it beyond what I've read.
 

Aurelien

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David A. Goldfarb said:
I find it works nicely at EI 200, 3 min in Acufine or 12 min. in PMK 1+2+50.

I think this one is Acufine (slightly cropped from 6x17cm)--

Click to expand...

Well, there is one thing I do not understand: working solution of PMK is more often 1+2+100. Why in a few places I find 1+2+50? Fomapan and PMK doesn't work at 1+2+100? May I modify developing time?
Thanks for your answer...
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Aurelien said:
Well, there is one thing I do not understand: working solution of PMK is more often 1+2+100. Why in a few places I find 1+2+50? Fomapan and PMK doesn't work at 1+2+100? May I modify developing time?
Thanks for your answer...
Click to expand...

I suspect it is because 12 min. is a long development time already for PMK 1+2+50, so at 1+2+100 it might just be excessively long, or so long that the developer is exhausted before the image is fully developed to the desired contrast (this might vary with ratio of developer to film area).
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Aurelien said:
I often develop in PMK 1+2+100 for more than 11 minutes without any problem. Exhausted developer accentuate definition.
Click to expand...

This is true, as long as the developer is still active, and very dilute PMK doesn't stay active forever.

What if the needed development time at 1+2+100 is more on the order of 25 minutes, and the developer is more or less inactive by about 20 minutes, depending on the volume of developer per unit area of film? Then you either have to use more developer volume than you normally would with a typical quantity of film or replace the developer with fresh developer halfway through the development time, and you also have to stand there shaking the tank or shuffling the sheets for 25 minutes.
 

Aurelien

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Yes, of course. But I think PMK is still active under 16 minutes. In the technical sheet, for example, manufacturer provide a developping time of 16 minutes for Agfa APX 400. And with dilution 1+2+100. That's why I think in most cases, this dilution is good.
 

mjs

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I also use Freestyle's Arista.EDU package and like this film very much for some things. I rate it at ASA 125 and develop for 4 minutes in D-76 (straight) in trays. Oh, I'm using 8x10 and contact printing onto Ilford paper. The film responds very quickly to contrast changes by extending development time but reciprocity -- argh! Horrible. Low light exposure times very quickly become enormous. Beautiful tones, lovely gradiation.

mjs
 

Fotohuis

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Nice film, large latitude and pretty sharp in Rodinal developer. In Europe it's only offered in 35mm and 120 roll film.
Here some 35mm examples:Dead Link Removed

The procedure for the reverse processing for the Fomapan R100 film you can find also here:

Dead Link Removed

Best regards,

Robert
 

Brac

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Well no disrespect Fotohuis but Silverprint in London carry Fomapan 200 (& 100) in both 4x5 and 10x8 sheet film. And although there are those who wish otherwise the UK is still in Europe (unless something happened when I had my eyes closed!)
 

3Dfan

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While Foma T200 is a negative film, it makes a beautiful positive when processed by DR5. It has the added benefit of being a proper 200 speed film in that process. http://www.dr5.com/foma200t.html
 

edtbjon

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The 100 film is also listed in 4X5" on fotoimpex.de . I guess they will consider ordering other sizes (from the T200 as well) from the factory too if you ask them.
 

Uncle Jim

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I have been developing 200T, 5x7 sheet film, in PMK. When finished the developer is orange in color. Is anyone else seeing this? Is that normal? the negatives look fine, but haven't printed any of them yet as my new darkroom is still under construction.
jim
 

David A. Goldfarb

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PMK is normally orange or brownish in color when oxidized. This is the case whatever the film, or even if you just stirred it in a beaker for 15 minutes.
 
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