Fomapan film impressions - Your thoughts

lilmsmaggie · Jan 22, 2011

I've seen several image posts on other forums where the film used was Fomapan, usually ISO 100. I've begun to realize that in most cases, the range of tones is quite pleasing. I'm considering trying Fomapan in both 35mm and 4x5.

I'd like to get some feedback from those that have used this film, i.e., issues, problems, preferred ISO, preferred developer, etc.

SMBooth · Jan 23, 2011

I quite like it in 4x5 and rodinal. I rate it around ISO80

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 23, 2011

I use asa 100 and 400 Arista EDU Ultra and it's a great film. The older film 35mm and 120 bases were curly and the newer batches are less so. The 120 paper backing is a little to thick for my taste. I souped it in HC-110 and now Xtol. Both developer looks good with the films. It's a good film value.

RobertV · Jan 23, 2011

The Fomapan 100 is a good and cheap all round film. The 35mm versions are on Tri-Acetate base while the 120 roll film is on Blue Polyester. Foma improved the non-curling layer a bit.

With most developers you will find an E.I. between 80 and 100. Fomapan is (also) sold in the USA under Arista (EDU) brand.

The film has classical cubical Silver halide crystals. Compared to the T200 (Creative 200) which has been recently made again which has a mix of Hexagonal and Cubical crystals.

Xtol/Fomadon Excel W27, D76/ID11/Fomadon P W37, HC-110, AM74/RHS (all E.I. 100) Rodinal (E.I. 80) etc. are all good combinations. Going to speed enhanced developers E.I. 160-200 in Diafine.

Best regards,

Robert

dnjl · Jan 23, 2011

I ordered a brick of Foma 200 Creative only yesterday, very curious to try it out. I've heard good things about Foma (apart from the curling issue), and it's very cheap film too.

rjbuzzclick · Jan 23, 2011

I love Foma 100 in 4x5 (Arista EDU) at 100 and developed in HC-110.

consumptive · Jan 23, 2011

i've been using the fomapan/arista edu ultra 100 in 120 and 4x5 for years. works great in rodinal or the fomadon R09, but have recently settled on pyrocat HD 1:1:100 at 50 iso and developed 13 minutes with 10sec agitation every minute.

reciprocity failure with the 100 speed film is steep, but i've had good luck using the numbers Murray@uptowngallery extrapolated from the limited reciprocity failure chart provided by foma:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

removed account4 · Jan 23, 2011

i have and have used fomapan both creativ200 ( 35mm ) and
120 format asa 100+400 ..
it is great stuff, and loves to be processed in coffee if you are into that

ntenny · Jan 23, 2011

jnanian said:
it is great stuff, and loves to be processed in coffee if you are into that

I second that. Fomapan 100+Caffenol C is one of my favourite combinations for tonality.

I've also had interestingly good luck using Fomapan 100 developed in Diafine for really long (5-15 minutes at f/8) nighttime exposures. My tentative theory is that the awful reciprocity actually helps to keep the highlights from blowing.

-NT

thefizz · Jan 24, 2011

Similar discussion here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

lilmsmaggie · Jan 26, 2011

consumptive said:
i've been using the fomapan/arista edu ultra 100 in 120 and 4x5 for years. works great in rodinal or the fomadon R09, but have recently settled on pyrocat HD 1:1:100 at 50 iso and developed 13 minutes with 10sec agitation every minute.

reciprocity failure with the 100 speed film is steep, but i've had good luck using the numbers Murray@uptowngallery extrapolated from the limited reciprocity failure chart provided by foma:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Well, I bought a 50 sheet box in 4 x 5 and 5 rolls in 35mm of AristaEdu Ultra 100 for a trip down to Southern California.

Hope it like Rollo Pyro

Dave in Kansas · Jan 26, 2011

I really liked their R100 reversal film, but Freestyle no longer lists it on their website and I didn't see on Foma's website. DR5 lists it as a discontinued film on their film review page. I was real sorry to see that but at least I have a few rolls in the freezer.

Dave

Jeff Kubach · Jan 26, 2011

I have used Fomapan 120 a while back, I enjoy using it.

Jeff

frdrx · Jan 26, 2011

DR5 lists it as a discontinued film

Now that's a blow if true.

Fomapan film impressions - Your thoughts

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