Has Foma Retropan 320 soft gone for good?

Steve@f8 · Mar 24, 2021

I’ve heard it has been withdrawn, but that’s only hearsay, although most film stockists are showing out of stock.

pentaxuser · Mar 24, 2021

Steve you'd think that the Foma site would contain an announcement to that effect if Foma has withdrawn it Might be worth checking there assuming you haven't done so already

pentaxuser

Steve@f8 · Mar 24, 2021

pentaxuser said:
Steve you'd think that the Foma site would contain an announcement to that effect if Foma has withdrawn it Might be worth checking there assuming you haven't done so already

pentaxuser

I did, but the Foma site rather inconclusive. It’s listed so hopefully the lack of retail stock is a temporary situation, maybe due to the pandemic in some way, ie shortage of certain chemicals.
On a bright note I’ve just found a U.K. supplier and cleaned them out, all 3 rolls of 135!

grain elevator · Mar 25, 2021

I did assume it was discontinued, but can't remember if I read anything to that effect or drew my conclusion from seeing it on clearance sales and little excitement about it on the fora.

markjwyatt · Mar 25, 2021

Freestyle carries it in 120, 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10. They are "Out of Stock", but expect it on June 4th.

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/2-Film/Black-and-White-Film?mfg[]=212&attr[]=2-19

removedacct2 · Mar 26, 2021

Steve@f8 said:
I’ve heard it has been withdrawn, but that’s only hearsay, although most film stockists are showing out of stock.

Stocks depend your location as well Foma manufacturing pace. For instance last autumn here in western Europe I could get it only from Maco in Hamburg. In 120 roll. Most resellers were out of stock. Yet we have a czech here in Norway, who is importer/reseller, I asked him and he confirmed that Foma stopped producing Retropan 320 in 35mm, but 120 and cut film is going well. Actually last friday i drove to his place to pick 4x5 sheets, 120 rolls and Retrodev. Retropan is doing well, but was ended in 35mm.

Steve@f8 · Mar 26, 2021

antonio_b said:
Stocks depend your location as well Foma manufacturing pace. For instance last autumn here in western Europe I could get it only from Maco in Hamburg. In 120 roll. Most resellers were out of stock. Yet we have a czech here in Norway, who is importer/reseller, I asked him and he confirmed that Foma stopped producing Retropan 320 in 35mm, but 120 and cut film is going well. Actually last friday i drove to his place to pick 4x5 sheets, 120 rolls and Retrodev. Retropan is doing well, but was ended in 35mm.

I thought so, thanks for confirming!
Just when I latch on to the ‘look’ I’m after, no sooner the film is withdrawn! I’m particularly drawn to the smaller format to ‘magnify‘ the imperfections, so to speak, eg shooting using a half frame.
How dare you Foma!

neilt3 · Mar 26, 2021

I think you need to take into account there's a lot if supply issues due to the pandemic .
Places have changed how they operate all over the world and in many cases it's having a negative effect on supplies the manufacturer needs , as well as supplying the end product to the retail market .
Can't be helped .

Steve@f8 · Mar 26, 2021

neilt3 said:
I think you need to take into account there's a lot if supply issues due to the pandemic .
Places have changed how they operate all over the world and in many cases it's having a negative effect on supplies the manufacturer needs , as well as supplying the end product to the retail market .
Can't be helped .

That’s true and it did occur to me (as I mentioned above), however if supplies of sub-units making the emulsion or film are restored will we see it’s return. There could be other reasons of course, eg lack of demand.

neilt3 · Mar 26, 2021

Hopefully .
I've a pack in 7x5 that I'll be using in a camera I've just restored , once I can meet up with people again !
I've some very old barrel lenses and a Petzval lens to try it with so I'll be interested to see it's results .
It'll certainly be a shame to lose options .

Has Foma Retropan 320 soft gone for good?

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