Fomapan R100, (reversal film) as negative film

[alanrockwood]

I'm just curious, has anyone tried using fomapan R 100 reversal film as a negative film?

I recognize one possible response of "Why would you even want to do that?", and I don't actually have a good reply to that response, other than to say that it is to satisfy my curiosity, or perhaps to introduce the idea that it might add one more arrow to the quiver of black and white films available for general use.

(Also, I know that light piping could be a problem if the base is very clear. This could imply a need for more care when loading the film, i.e. in darkness or very subdued light.)

By the way, on a slightly different though related topic, it's too bad this film is not available in 120 size. I have stereo film viewer and a Sputnik camera that uses 120 film, and it might be fun to make black and white stereo slides for a kind of classic 3D photo look.

 

[Anon Ymous]

It has a silver based antihalation layer, so it wouldn't be suitable. When used in its intended purpose, as a positive, the bleach removes it, along with the negative image.

 

[alanrockwood]

It has a silver based antihalation layer, so it wouldn't be suitable. When used in its intended purpose, as a positive, the bleach removes it, along with the negative image.

I suppose one could bleach first, then develop.

 

[koraks]

I suppose one could bleach first, then develop.

You'll bleach the image along with it. You'd have to figure out the precise amount of bleaching and then you'd still end up effectively doing SLIMT.

 

[alanrockwood]

You'll bleach the image along with it. You'd have to figure out the precise amount of bleaching and then you'd still end up effectively doing SLIMT.

I think that if the bleach step uses bleach and not blix then only the silver will be dissolved, not the silver halide, so normal development should be possible after bleaching.

 

[koraks]

A regular bleach will also bleach the latent image. That's the core principle of Kachel's SLIMT approach.

You could try a chromate / permanganate bleach.

 

[Anon Ymous]

You could try a chromate / permanganate bleach.

Yes, this might work, but it's too much of a hassle IMHO.

 

[koraks]

If you have the chemicals on hand, it's easy to find out. I tend to stock up all sorts of stuff, so I'd personally just mix up some dichromate with sulfuric acid and see how it goes. But having to order the stuff specifically for a quick test, I can imagine people would forego the whole thing.

 

[alanrockwood]

... I'd personally just mix up some dichromate with sulfuric acid and see how it goes. But having to order the stuff specifically for a quick test, I can imagine people would forego the whole thing.

That's my situation (having to order stuff.)

I did find a thread on this topic at apug started a few years ago, so I will read that for additional information.

 

[koraks]

I'm not sure where you're located, but if you need a small amount of dichromate to play with, I can put it in an envelope and get it to you. From mainland Europe, that is.

 

[alanrockwood]

I'm not sure where you're located, but if you need a small amount of dichromate to play with, I can put it in an envelope and get it to you. From mainland Europe, that is.

I appreciate the offer, but I'm in the US, so I think sending it is probably not a good idea.

 

[koraks]

It'll probably arrive just fine, something like 20g in a heavy-duty ziplock bag in a padded envelope. But it's your call; send me a pm if you want to give it a go. I've got more than enough to last me a lifetime anyway.

 

[alanrockwood]

It'll probably arrive just fine, something like 20g in a heavy-duty ziplock bag in a padded envelope. But it's your call; send me a pm if you want to give it a go. I've got more than enough to last me a lifetime anyway.

I was hoping someone else would have given it a try and could report. I think for me it is a bigger project than I want to tackle right now, but I appreciate the offer.