is my Foma film fogged?

[djkloss]

I just got a densitometer (aka pandora's box) and thought I'd attempt the film testing adventure using Adam's "The Negative". So my unexposed sheets of 4x5 film are a density of .13 fb+f. I thought they were supposed to be a lot lower than that. (The Efke I did was .03 +/-). I tested the densitometer with the calibration strip against a brand new Stouffer 4x5 step tablet, so I don't think there's anything wrong there. (It's a Macbeth TR524). My basement is completely sealed.

Is it Foma? I just ordered another box from B&H (the last one from Freestyle). Other than that I really like the film.

Dorothy

 

[Kino]

That b+f certainly seems quite high. The Efke measurement is about right.

Did you dig down into the box and try one from the middle?

If it is fogged, Freestyle should replace it without a rumble; they have always done this for me!

 

[djkloss]

I used the whole box and AFAIK they were all like that.

Thanks

 

[Kino]

In the future, if you run into this and want to lower the B+F a bit, try some Sodium Bromide or Benzotriazole as an anti-fogging agent, but it does tend to lower the speed of the stock a bit.

Do a search on anti-fog agents here on APUG and you should get the required dilutions and doses.

 

[Ian Grant]

Foma film bases are different to some other manufacturers so don't read too much into it.

Ian

 

[fschifano]

Foma film bases are different to some other manufacturers so don't read too much into it.

Ian

Bingo! Foma films in 35 mm have a higher base density than I've seen with other films. In 120 roll film, the base is blue. Both print just fine. How does your sample print?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another Foma user here. Yes, the film does have a higher base fog - you can tell when looking at a sheet of unexposed, developed Foma as compared to say Ilford or Kodak. It still prints beautifully, and if you get the Arista.EDU Ultra from Freestyle, it IS Foma film, but even cheaper.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I've had similar results. It prints fine for me and I particularly like it with cyanotypes and van dykes.

 

[djkloss]

thank you. that is a relief. I just received my next batch from B&H. I immediately transferred all the film into an empty Efke (3 box set w/black plastic) so now I feel safer. I also developed one unexposed sheet from the new batch to compare. I just read the density and it is the same as the first box (.14). I'm kinda glad it's the same because now I won't have to run another test for developer time. Or will I? I'd be curious to see what other's numbers were. This densitometer thing is just way too much fun!

thanks again!

Dorothy

 

[Ian Grant]

I sure hope those EFKE boxes are light-tight, when we returned from the UK last month my wife started to open a box asking what's in this

Jessops, the large UK photo chain did the same with a box of Tmax, someone had opened the box,the seal was broken, but must have realised that it shouldn't have been opened, (the store doesn't carry 5x4 except to order). It was OK, I've just finished the last sheets.

Ian

 

[Rolleijoe]

Is it Foma? I just ordered another box from B&H (the last one from Freestyle). Other than that I really like the film.

Dorothy

Freestyle has rights for exclusive distribution of Efke, Foma. B&H gets THEIRS from Freestyle. So now you're just paying more for the same thing.

Foma rocks. I love their films, but especially their Fomatone paper, and 542 paper. Nothing else like them!

 

[djkloss]

Another Foma user here. Yes, the film does have a higher base fog - you can tell when looking at a sheet of unexposed, developed Foma as compared to say Ilford or Kodak. It still prints beautifully, and if you get the Arista.EDU Ultra from Freestyle, it IS Foma film, but even cheaper.

Hi Joe,
I'm going with what I've heard here and am no longer concerned. I trust Apug and the members here. Both boxes I received are the same fb+f so I'm going to go with that.

edit: I was thinking I could save shipping charges since I'm closer to B&H.