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Fomapan 200 developer

I don't know if those are scratches or fine cracks; but they mostly seem parallel to the edges of the film, so must be due to some kind of transport issue during cutting. It's why I gave up on Foma 200 sheet film.
 
DREW WILEY said:
I don't know if those are scratches or fine cracks; but they mostly seem parallel to the edges of the film, so must be due to some kind of transport issue during cutting. It's why I gave up on Foma 200 sheet film.
Click to expand...
Now, observing well the detail of the enlarged print most seem to be cracks.
 
Give the Freestyle Photo Arista.EDU Ultra 200 a try - they might cut it on a different machine or a different master roll. It is the same film, chemically, but it's also noticeably cheaper than the Foma brand-name stuff. I never had a problem with that issue you're experiencing in the hundreds of sheets of 5x7 I shot. This is not to say your problem is not real - I'm just saying I feel like it is an anomaly in an otherwise excellent film. Also, I only contact print my 5x7 and larger film, so that might be saving me from seeing any issues you're experiencing.
 
Here in Europe it costs less: 36 euros 50 sheets 4X5"
 
Arista is probably worse. The cracking problem is allegedly (informed rumor-wise) due to the master roll getting cut before the coated emulsion has sufficiently cured to avoid brittleness. I suspect that the big bulk order of Arista is cut first, in order to quickly recoup coating expense, and then afterwards, the Foma labeled boxes, which fetch a higher profit margin. What contact printers might easily get away with in terms of zits and hairline cracks on this film are likely to be unforgivable to someone who mostly enlarges their negatives, like me.
 
Are there any updates on the Fomapan 200 QA issues? Eager to hear recent developments (no pun intended)
 
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