FOMApan 100 blue base

Anscojohn

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Just did my first EI test with Fomapan 100. According to the FOMA poop sheet, the emulsion is coated on a blue film base. Now the film is dry, they were not kidding. I used stop and fresh fixer, and had assumed the blue color would wash out. It did not. Should I be concerned?

Anscojohn, Mount Vernon, Virginia USA
 

Kino

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Nope; you'll get used to it...
 
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Anscojohn

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Thanks, fotogs. Now that I know it's o.k., methinks they're kind of pretty.
Maybe I should get some 5x7 for my real camera.

Anscojohn, Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA
 

Aurelien

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Yes, Foma films in 120 are coated on grey-bluish PET base. You can eliminate the blue color of the anti halation layer by prewetting the film before processing. But you cannot avoid the bluish color of the base. Even by fixing more than 10 minutes, as they say on the datasheet.
But in fact blue base is not disturbing when you print on paper. The only issue is the curling of PET base when dry.
 
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Anscojohn

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******
You mean if I go to 5x7 I shall lose the friendly blue color?? (VBG)
Anscojohn, Mount Vernon, Virginia USA
 

foto-r3

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The FOMAPAN 100 4x5" sheet film I have seen and developed is coated on a clear polyester base. The tech. data sheet also states this.
 

poutnik

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Yes, I think that sheet film is coated on a clear base (I'll have a look when I come home). Do a prewash with the film anyway (I do it for 5mins) in water, and don't be surprised when the water comes out dark blue...
 

Rolleiflexible

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That's not my experience, Jiri -- the films must vary considerably by format. I just shot two rolls of Foma 200 in 35mm. My negatives too have the blue base, after presoaking and long fixing. But the water presoak and the Rodinal developer both left the tank crystal-clear -- no trace of antihalation dyes. Sanders
 

foto-r3

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A distinction should be made between Fomapan 100 Classic (clear base) and Fomapan 200 Creative (bluish base). A further distinction would be the grain structure: Fomapan 200 Creative is a so-called "t-grain" film. I have often seen this last point as the subject of debate. Microscopy photos are available to anyone who'd like to see for themselves.
 

BradS

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in any case, Foma sheet film all appear to be coated on a clearish / gray base.
 

srs5694

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The 35mm Fomapan 200 I've shot has all had a clear base, contrary to what some have said here. Is it possible that Foma's been inconsistent in the base it's used for some 35mm films over time? FWIW, my latest was a bulk roll with an emulsion number of 006715-06 and an expiration date of 03/2008. I've shot a few "loose" rolls before buying this bulk roll (I got it about a year ago, IIRC); all have had a clear base. The only Fomapan I've shot with a blue base was medium format.

Concerning the alleged T-grain nature of the film, I don't believe it. Roger Hicks claimed (there was a url link here which no longer exists) that he's examined the electron micrographs and concluded it's not T-grained. I tend to trust his judgment -- and my own. The grain just doesn't have the look that I associate with other T-grain films.
 

r-brian

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Just don't try and use a staining developer on it. I used DiXactol on the first roll of Foma 100 (Arista.edu Ultra) in 120 and I got nice green negatives. The 100 and 400 in 35mm was a clear base. Still waiting to find the time to try my 100 4x5.
 

fschifano

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Judt got done printing some Foma 200 negs in 35mm format. I agree that it is not a T-grain film, or anything like it. It is a conventional grain film, but a pretty good one. The 35mm stuff dries flatter than flat. Kodak film has more curl to it.
 

k_jupiter

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r-brian said:
Just don't try and use a staining developer on it. I used DiXactol on the first roll of Foma 100 (Arista.edu Ultra) in 120 and I got nice green negatives. The 100 and 400 in 35mm was a clear base. Still waiting to find the time to try my 100 4x5.
Click to expand...

I would expect green. Blue base, yellow orange stain. Probably doesn't hurt, just looks funny.

tim in san jose
 

poutnik

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Sanders, I have only used Fomapan 100 in 120 and sheets and Fomapan 400 in 120. So I truly don't know anything about Fomapan 200...
 

JHannon

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Eight months ago, I bought some rolls of Foma Creative 200 in 120 to test. Back then I had heard rumors of trouble with Foma closing.

I have been away from photography since then and it looks like it was just a rumor. I'm back and it is time to test!

--John
 

Fotohuis

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Forte (Hungary) has been closed. Foma (Hradec Kralové, Czech Republic) is doing fine.
The 120 roll film assembly machine from Forte is now in Hradec for some extra capacity and for back up.
And indeed the Fomapan 200 has some blue base.

Best regards,

Robert
 

JHannon

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I got Foma and Forte mixed up. Thanks Robert, I don't want to start another rumor.

--John
 
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