Is arista really a learning film?

[Sirius Glass]

I have used a good amount of Arista Edu 100 and 400 in 35mm and 120. The results are so-so, and it is not the best film. I think of products targeting students as sub-par, and they actually hinder the learning process. For example, I am also a watercolor painter and student grade paint is actually quite miserable to use - it is cheap because they skimp on the pigment, it breaks up too quickly and doesn't have the brilliance a good paint has. How can you learn when you have poorly made materials to work with? I learned as a painter quickly and joyfully when I upgraded my paint. I would imagine for photography, after learning the basic darkroom mechanics with cheap film (like loading a spool, developing film, getting that first image to appear) a student would want to use the best film they could afford.

My concern about so call student films is highlighted in the quote above.

 

[Bill Burk]

I don’t know if I shared this thought …

When you learn on a film that’s reputedly a “learning film” and you stumble, you can always say the problem was with the film.

That will preserve your ego from some damage.

You don’t have to admit what an idiot you were.

Then you go get the good film.

Now you build confidence and never have to re-evaluate whether the “Arista Edu” was really bad in the first place.

 

[Tim Stapp]

I don’t know if I shared this thought …

When you learn on a film that’s reputedly a “learning film” and you stumble, you can always say the problem was with the film.

That will preserve your ego from some damage.

You don’t have to admit what an idiot you were.

Then you go get the good film.

Now you build confidence and never have to re-evaluate whether the “Arista Edu” was really bad in the first place.

What does it mean if you "stumble" with the "good' film.

Question: For those of us that primarily use Arista EDU Ultra (rebadged FOMA) looked down upon by those that use the "Good Film"?

I shoot FOMA as rebadged Arista EDU Ultra because I like it. I've come to know it. It works for me. Note that it WORKS FOR ME!

I've never shot it in 120, so can't comment. But I feel like those of us that are apparently less discerning that use it and are happy are look down upon by the foaming mouthed haters of the film. You are numerous. I have no ego regarding my photography. I'm not a good photographer. I admit that. I enjoy it, plain and simple.

Lord knows, it's a hobby. I've been able to fulfill a childhood dream of having a darkroom, developing my own film and printing my own silver gelatin prints.

 

[Tim Stapp]

I have used a good amount of Arista Edu 100 and 400 in 35mm and 120. The results are so-so, and it is not the best film. I think of products targeting students as sub-par, and they actually hinder the learning process. For example, I am also a watercolor painter and student grade paint is actually quite miserable to use - it is cheap because they skimp on the pigment, it breaks up too quickly and doesn't have the brilliance a good paint has. How can you learn when you have poorly made materials to work with? I learned as a painter quickly and joyfully when I upgraded my paint. I would imagine for photography, after learning the basic darkroom mechanics with cheap film (like loading a spool, developing film, getting that first image to appear) a student would want to use the best film they could afford.

My local camera shop Norman Camera in Grand Rapids, MI. (local in that it's an hour away) carries Ilford film, paper and chemicals along with Kodak film primarily targeted to the local arts college students. Because the Ilford products are targeted to students, does that make it inferior to Kodak? Especially since they don't market Kodak chemicals? Especially lately. Tell me that Kodak branded chemical are superior today.

 

[foc]

I don’t know if I shared this thought …

When you learn on a film that’s reputedly a “learning film” and you stumble, you can always say the problem was with the film.

That will preserve your ego from some damage.

You don’t have to admit what an idiot you were.

Then you go get the good film.

Now you build confidence and never have to re-evaluate whether the “Arista Edu” was really bad in the first place.