New Film from Foma

Ricardo Miranda · May 7, 2015

If it is really a LOW contrast film then it's a very good thing as well; because it would mean that it would be pushable to ISO 1250 with no problem (all films are pushable, but contrast increases with the push).

Now, what I don't understand, is the use of the special developer. Unless the low contrast is due to the activity of the special developer... Hmm...

Robert (Fotohuis) at the RFF forum said the same about pushing this film.

See: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2483512&postcount=12

Athiril · May 7, 2015

It's still quite red, just not far red/near IR, but high red sensitivity in comparison to green and especially blue rather than more even than others, as you can see it climbs up in sensitivity towards the right.

Looks like using the same sensitisers I guess except for the red end.

Ricardo Miranda said:
Robert (Fotohuis) at the RFF forum said the same about pushing this film.

See: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2483512&postcount=12

Low contrast doesn't guarantee lots of a shadow detail, and in a straight line.

MartinP · May 7, 2015

It's not so much the shadow detail, that can be sorted out by exposure, rather this is a film which appears to have a flatter H&D curve than the other films from Foma. The separation of mid-tones, typically skin for example, will appear differently with the new film when compared with the Fomapan sheets. It will be interesting to see how this compares with 'pulling' other films and, with the initial low contrast how under-exposure and over-development (N+ in other words) affects results.

The usual Foma datasheet has far more information about contrast, speed and development than the single page issued so far -- possibly production is ahead of marketing ! Or this listing on their site may be the very first announcement, before the first batch is available. I want to try 4x5" and 8x10" anyway.

piu58 · May 8, 2015

> a flatter H&D curve than the other films from Foma

The foa films I know tend to block highlights. May be thsi film will be a better choice in this concern.

MDR · May 8, 2015

Piu those blocked highlights are probably the result of pushing the film to reach the advertised speed + the fact that Foma films build up density like nobody else. Try to lower the E.I. or use a less active developer like D23 or a pyro developer. D23 and the Foma films work very well together and there is a reason why D23 is more or less the king of midtones developers.

As Ian said since the dryplate Age Film mfg would offer a normal contrast and a soft/Portrait Version of a emulsion just look up the old film/plate catalogues. Soft and Portraits film were also often optimised for retouching as their main use was portrait and nude photography.

Since Foma is on the classic Emulsion making run, could they please reintroduce one of the old Portrait papers in chamois with a slightly textured surface pretty please.

Xmas · May 8, 2015

MDR said:
Piu those blocked highlights are probably the result of pushing the film to reach the advertised speed + the fact that Foma films build up density like nobody else. Try to lower the E.I. or use a less active developer like D23 or a pyro developer. D23 and the Foma films work very well together and there is a reason why D23 is more or less the king of midtones developers.

As Ian said since the dryplate Age Film mfg would offer a normal contrast and a soft/Portrait Version of a emulsion just look up the old film/plate catalogues. Soft and Portraits film were also often optimised for retouching as their main use was portrait and nude photography.

Since Foma is on the classic Emulsion making run, could they please reintroduce one of the old Portrait papers in chamois with a slightly textured surface pretty please.

No sale Fomapan 400 will block highlights even with low gamma development.
The new 320 may be much better.
But it is a new!

TheToadMen · May 8, 2015

TheToadMen said:
BTW: I enquired at http://www.macodirect.de for prices and availability. I'll let you know what their answer is.

Got an answer already from Macodirect:

The FOMA marketing was faster than the fabrication.
In the moment is the film under production.
We have still also not concrete prices.
FOMA will inform us, when the film is ready.
We will include the film then in our product range.

To be continued ...

piu58 · May 8, 2015

> those blocked highlights are probably the result of pushing the film

I did not bush the film, but used half the box speed.

Xmas · May 8, 2015

Hi Uwe

At 200 ISO you are a stop nearer to the films shoulder, I normally use 320 but think the Fomapan 400 has at least a stop or two more than HP5+ @ 400 or 5222 @ 250 before shoulder.

We would need a step wedge to be sure.

Noel

MartinP · May 8, 2015

"Expose for the shadows, develop for the highlights" -- if the highlights are solid black then reduce development? There is a little less mis-development tolerance with the older style Foma films than with some alternatives, but the exposure and development quote still holds true surely?.

Xmas · May 8, 2015

MartinP said:
"Expose for the shadows, develop for the highlights" -- if the highlights are solid black then reduce development? There is a little less mis-development tolerance with the older style Foma films than with some alternatives, but the exposure and development quote still holds true surely?.

If you are wet printing you needed to develop to fit on the paper (or RC), you need separate shadows and mid tones. More difficult with 36 exposures.

The shorter scale of the Fomapan 400 compared with Tx or HP5+ is the only problem I get.
On a dull day it is an excellent choice.

The new film is advertised as soft...

In addition it (400) is near IR sensitive.

Hope fully the new 320 is different and Foma keep both in production I've only got 300 foot of 400 to hand.

MartinP · May 8, 2015

The Fomapan400 has some sensitivity beyond 700nm, which is even higher than the new film, though not quite as high as the Ilford film (SFX200 goes to about 760nm or so). I have never tried infra-red photography with Foma film, but it might be interesting.

Xmas · May 8, 2015

MartinP said:
The Fomapan400 has some sensitivity beyond 700nm, which is even higher than the new film, though not quite as high as the Ilford film (SFX200 goes to about 760nm or so). I have never tried infra-red photography with Foma film, but it might be interesting.

truzi's thread is seminal
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Ricardo Miranda · May 12, 2015

At RFF there are some sample pictures mentioned here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2484976&postcount=21

Ricardo Miranda · May 14, 2015

I got some extra info from "the man from FOMA" in the UK.
35mm bulk film in 17m and some sheet sizes will be available to distributors by the end of the month.
Then it is a case of these local distributors to wait to collate a large order and wait a bit more for the transportation to your local sellers.

TheToadMen · May 14, 2015

Ricardo Miranda said:
I got some extra info from "the man from FOMA" in the UK.
35mm bulk film in 17m and some sheet sizes will be available to distributors by the end of the month.
Then it is a case of these local distributors to wait to collate a large order and wait a bit more for the transportation to your local sellers.

Thanks

cmacd123 · May 14, 2015

Boy 17m bulk rolls, that brings back memories of my High school days when I could not afford to splurge on 100 ft rolls.

Xmas · May 14, 2015

cmacd123 said:
Boy 17m bulk rolls, that brings back memories of my High school days when I could not afford to splurge on 100 ft rolls.

You were rich I needed to buy dark room loads.

Ian Grant · May 14, 2015

Xmas said:
You were rich I needed to buy dark room loads.

They weren't that much of a bargain, ex Government/Military FP3 & HP3 35mm cine film were great bargains in 100ft rolls

Those were the days.

Ian

Xmas · May 14, 2015

Ian Grant said:
They weren't that much of a bargain, ex Government/Military FP3 & HP3 35mm cine film were great bargains in 100ft rolls

Those were the days.

Ian

I only had pocket money in 62.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaTIXdN5fI

1920 · May 14, 2015

cool

wow, how cool is it that someone is introducing a new analog photo product in this day and age.!!

I gotta buy some stuff from these guys and throw some support their way.

Seems like this film is intended for portraiture? I may try some in 4x5, I'm working on doing some portraits now- as a (possibly related) side note- do any of you guys have recommendations for how to get that old Hollywood portrait look? I'll have to try and find an example of what i mean- not talking about 1800's out of focus or wet plate look, this is more like the old pictures from the 40's, peoples lips (even the guys) tend to look darker or something, anyone know the look I mean? Would this film be on the right track or is there a film/filter combination that was used in those days?
Sorry if this is off topic.

Kudos to Foma, I definitely intend to include some of their products in my next photo purchase

moltogordo · May 16, 2015

M Carter said:
Anyway, a new film is kinda something to celebrate. It's like going to a christening after a dozen funerals.

I couldn't agree more!!!!

Ricardo Miranda · May 20, 2015

Retropan 320 Soft has now its own page: http://www.foma.cz/en/catalogue-retropan-320-soft-detail-1767

Axle · May 20, 2015

Huzzah! This is great news when we usually hear of film being discontinued, we have a new player on the block! I'm looking forward to trying this film out and working on figuring out developing times for other chemicals!

Xmas · May 20, 2015

Axle said:
Huzzah! This is great news when we usually hear of film being discontinued, we have a new player on the block! I'm looking forward to trying this film out and working on figuring out developing times for other chemicals!

Foma normally provide a two page data sheet rather than the one page we have today.

New Film from Foma

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