Fomapan T200 pinholes

rjas · Oct 27, 2007

I have a problem with pinholes in the 120 version of the film. I stopped using stop bath and that doesn't help. Here is how I process it:

hc110 dilution h, 12 minutes
1 minute water stop
3-4 minute ilford rapid fixer 1+4
wash

The emulsion looks like someone sprinkled pepper all over it, its not dust, and I can see through the holes as they are totally clear.

I bought a ton of this film rebaged as arista.edu ultra 200 last year and didn't get around to using it till recently. I don't think Freestyle will take it back now, they wouldn't respond to my queries about it, so I am kinda stuck with it and want to make it work.

Is the developer the culprit?
Thanks!

rjas · Oct 27, 2007

I did a bit of a search and it looks exactly like this:

From what I've found on other forums, this is a problem with the film and not with any developer or stop bath or something like that. Looks like its all going in the trash. never again will I try to save money on film, and its a shame freestyle wouldn't help me.

Arvee · Oct 27, 2007

I had the same problem with Efke 25 which had crud embedded in the emulsion. Light doesn't penetrate the bits of crud and then it washes out in the developer and ultimately gets fixed as clear film. I quit using the bargain brands because I lost way too many exposures because of this. Of course, spotting will solve most of the problems but that, to me, is a PITA.

Fred

John Simmons · Oct 27, 2007

I long ago abandoned the bargain films for quality issues. I got tired of loosing shot after shot. I now stick with the majors....kodak, ilford, fuji. What does it matter if the others are cheaper when you run the risk of not getting the shot or being able to print it.

Regards,
John

rjas · Oct 27, 2007

So true, I've learned my lessons. Too bad I had to go and buy 50 rolls at once... I'm going to call Freestyle about this, the invoice is long gone and shipping will probably make it not worthwhile but I feel as I've flushed money down the toilet. Going to go back to Ilford and Kodak from now on. The extra couple dollars per roll is worth it.

Jersey Vic · Oct 27, 2007

I've had similar issues and disimilar issues (a dark line going through whole rolls)from this rebranded film. I'll never use it for critical work again.

dpurdy · Oct 27, 2007

I had a pin hole problem with that Arista Ultra film as well though my pin holes were a whole lot of tiny pin holes.

Fotohuis · Oct 27, 2007

I have a problem with pinholes in the 120 version of the film. I stopped using stop bath and that doesn't help.

Yes indeed because a STOP bath has NOTHING to do with pinholes.

You made a processing mistake or the film has a coating problem.

I don't think Freestyle will take it back now

If the films are not over their exp. date and you have an invoice of them, they are obliged to do the investigation and replace the defect film by the same amount of new 120 roll films.

What is the batchnr. of the defective serie?

In case you do not have the invoice anymore, you can still sent the films (before exp. date) in to Foma in Hradec Kralové together with exposed and the unexposed materials in an airpack envelope. After they can detect any failure and it's NOT a processing/user fault they will replace any film by sending back by DHL.

Foma Bohemia S.R.O. is producing under ISO 9001 and is able to detect any failure in their Q.C. system.
They are able to seach things out like Kodak, Ilford, Rollei or Fuji can do it.

But if you will not take the right action to the US Foma distributor, nothing will happening.......

Fotohuis · Oct 27, 2007

I had a pin hole problem with that Arista Ultra film as well though my pin holes were a whole lot of tiny pin holes.

Are you all using a PIN HOLE camera?

Be aware that under the house brand of Arista also a lot of other brands are marketet in the USA.
It can be Agfa, Efke, Foma, Forte a.s.o. depending on the type of film. So you must be rather sure of your case which kind of film you're dealing with.

Here is the contact page for the Foma Photo division in the Czech Republic:
http://www.foma.cz/foma/dokumenty/FotoKontakty.asp

JLP · Oct 28, 2007

Fotohuis,

But if you will not take the right action to the US Foma distributor, nothing will happening.......

Incorect.. They will disapear if they don't take QA serious.
I have used Foma 200 in both 5x7 and 8x10 and have pinholes in all negatives. A real shame cause it is a wonderful film, in particular for alternative printing.
I don't buy rebranded film and from now on i don't buy discount film to save a buck and then loose a good print.

Kodak, Ilford or Fuji. Never had any QA problems with the top 3

jan

Fotohuis · Oct 28, 2007

I can not make any comment on the Fomapan T200 sheet film due to the fact this is an exclusive product for the USA.
In Europe normally only available on 35mm and 120 roll film.

Indeed a very special emulsion:

But OK, here is where you have to sent your (defective) films:

(shot on Fuji Neopan 1600, if you're interested on which film I am working when the light is very low)

rjas · Oct 28, 2007

Fotohuis said:
Yes indeed because a STOP bath has NOTHING to do with pinholes.

You made a processing mistake or the film has a coating problem.

If the films are not over their exp. date and you have an invoice of them, they are obliged to do the investigation and replace the defect film by the same amount of new 120 roll films.

What is the batchnr. of the defective serie?

In case you do not have the invoice anymore, you can still sent the films (before exp. date) in to Foma in Hradec Kralové together with exposed and the unexposed materials in an airpack envelope. After they can detect any failure and it's NOT a processing/user fault they will replace any film by sending back by DHL.

Foma Bohemia S.R.O. is producing under ISO 9001 and is able to detect any failure in their Q.C. system.
They are able to seach things out like Kodak, Ilford, Rollei or Fuji can do it.

But if you will not take the right action to the US Foma distributor, nothing will happening.......

I don't have any invoices, I even tossed the boxes out to save space. Will foma accept the arista.edu films as they are rebranded?

Fotohuis · Oct 28, 2007

Foma is producing at their factory in Hradec Kralové the Arista packings.

This is your contact: Mrs. Dana Hojna (already giving in the Foma contact LINK ; click the U.K. flag! ):

FOMA BOHEMIA spol. s r.o. (Ltd.)
Jana Kruinky Str.1604
Cz-501 04 Hradec Králové
Czech Republic (Europe)
tel.: +420 495 733 111
fax: +420 495 733 389
fax: +420 495 733 376

e-mail: foma@foma.cz
VAT Reg. No.: CZ62024078

Export Marketing Dept.

Worldwide Distributors On-coming to FOMA BOHEMIA

Write to us : contact e-mail

Mrs. Dana Hojná, Dipl. Ing.
Manager of Photo & Med. Div.
dana.hojna@foma.cz

In case you have no confidence in the direct contact with Foma our Fotohuis in the Netherlands will accept your package of about 50 120 roll films (for an exception of APUG only; Fomapan T200 / Arista T200) for an exchange after investigation and check on claim, warranty, expiration date and the right processing by you.

You can send in your parcel by (big) air pack envelope and custom CN22 paper marked on GIFT (to prevent import duties) to:

Fotohuis RoVo
attn. Mr. Robert Vonk
Kromland 45
NL-5371MP Ravenstein
the Netherlands (Europe)

We will take care of the return package and exchange when you would be so kind to provide us your address and other necessary data.

But maybe Freestyle L.A. is also able to solve this simple problem for you

Best regards from the Netherlands, on Sunday and just have gone to winter time,

Thanks for your attention,

Fotohuis RoVo
(Dutch Foma distributor)
Robert Vonk

PS. The rest of this transaction can be done by PM or direct e-mail contact. And we can guarantee you that Foma Bohemia S.R.O. is NOT going out of business.

rjas · Oct 28, 2007

Thank you so much, ill try freestyle first and then your options.

srs5694 · Oct 30, 2007

FWIW, I've been using bulk-loaded Fomapan 400, sold as Arisa.EDU Ultra, as my standard 400-speed film for a while. My first box was fine in PC-Glycol developer, but the second box produces pinholes such as you describe in that developer, but not in DS-10. I don't know precisely why this is happening, but presumably there was some batch-to-batch variation in the emulsion that's caused an incompatibility with PC-Glycol (using sodium carbonate solution as the activator). It's conceivable that something similar is causing your problems, but with HC-110 rather than PC-Glycol as the developer that's bringing out the problem. If you're willing to take the time, you could shoot a test roll, cut it into pieces, and develop the pieces in whatever developers you have on hand to try to find a developer that won't activate the problems.

Fomapan T200 pinholes

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