NEW Foma Retropan 320 Soft first pictures

Gerald C Koch · Jun 26, 2015

The film base thickness was essentially determined when then film format was first designed. While one can certainly spool 135 film with a thinner base anything thicker than currently used will lessen the number of exposures on a roll. For 120 film remember that film and paper backing must both fit on the roll. In this case a thinner base that that for 135 film is required. For sheet film a base is required that will not make the sheets hard to handle so you don't want a thin floppy base.

MattKing · Jun 26, 2015

As I understand it, a change to a film base requires adjustments to the emulsion.

In addition, issues with halation require different approaches when backing paper is involved.

Xmas · Jun 27, 2015

MattKing said:
As I understand it, a change to a film base requires adjustments to the emulsion.

In addition, issues with halation require different approaches when backing paper is involved.

It is like cake if you can't eat it you need to change the recipe so you can eat.
Backing paper is not as reflective as a pressure plate, but 220 does/did not have backing paper.

Simonh82 · Jun 29, 2015

It is now a couple of years since Adox released CMS 100 II. That is still only sold as 35mm and LF. They said at the time that it wasn't economical to coat it on 120 base.

I don't know whether they are still on their first master roll or whether they have produced more but it seems the margins are so thin on these kind of niche product that it would take too long to see a return on a master roll on 120 base. Maybe if the Foma films sells really well they will be able to justify a run of 120.

It seems counter intuitive as I'm sure more people would try it if there was 120 available but there is a lot of money locked up in a master roll and that is likely to scare the bean counters.

Bearing in mind that the Foma bean counters have kept them going whilst many around them have failed, perhaps we should just accept that this is likely to be the way things go with smaller film companies.

Xmas · Jun 29, 2015

Simonh82 said:
It is now a couple of years since Adox released CMS 100 II. That is still only sold as 35mm and LF. They said at the time that it wasn't economical to coat it on 120 base.

I don't know whether they are still on their first master roll or whether they have produced more but it seems the margins are so thin on these kind of niche product that it would take too long to see a return on a master roll on 120 base. Maybe if the Foma films sells really well they will be able to justify a run of 120.

It seems counter intuitive as I'm sure more people would try it if there was 120 available but there is a lot of money locked up in a master roll and that is likely to scare the bean counters.

Bearing in mind that the Foma bean counters have kept them going whilst many around them have failed, perhaps we should just accept that this is likely to be the way things go with smaller film companies.

You have not allowed that they are not selling 35mm in cassettes either.

MDR · Jun 30, 2015

I have received an answer from Foma regarding the future introduction of Retropan 320 in 35mm pre loaded cassettes and 120. the introduction of film pre loaded film in cassettes is planned but there are no plans for 120. Still better than nothing and with the relatively large amount of 35mm shooters the film will have a good chance to survive in the market place.

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 30, 2015

Thanks MDR.

Roger Cole · Jul 1, 2015

If I could have a new B&W film in only one format it would be 120. Sigh.

OTOH for a film like this my second choice would be 4x5 and at least we have that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk and 100% recycled electrons - because I care.

Filzkoeter · Jul 3, 2015

I wanted to contribute some Retropan test-shots:

I propably botched the Diafine development a little bit as the dmax was rather low.

In Diafine, EI 800:

HC110 B, 7 minutes, agitation every 30 sec.:

EI 320, but I propably underexposed the HC110 shots, next time I would also use a 1-minute agitation to keep the contrast down.
It seems to build contrast up pretty fast in HC110, it's also no speed wonder.
Rather grainy, but it's a very tight and rather pleasant grain.

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 27, 2015

I have now shot a couple of rolls of R320 at EI640 with the dedicated developer.

7-24-2015_002 by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

7-24-2015_048 by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

7-24-2015_007 by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

7-24-2015_010 by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

7-24-2015_012 by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

7-24-2015_021 by Ricardo Miranda, on Flickr

I really like this film.

Nissin · Aug 8, 2015

I've uploaded four 4X5 shots of Retropan 320 to my Flickr account (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jshillaw)
More details can be found in my message on the Large Format Photography Forum (http://www.largeformatphotography.i...PAN-320-soft&p=1267019&viewfull=1#post1267019)

Ricardo Miranda · Aug 8, 2015

Very nice!
Thanks and welcome!

Chris Livsey · Aug 14, 2015

Not seen a post in Pyrocat HD yet so here we are: 5min pre-soak semi stand for 15min @72F iso 320 Leica M2/50mm C Sonnar f1.5 V850 Scanner

Re-scanned crop to observe the tight grain:

More on the Flickr and new Flickr group:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2835476@N25/

Ario AP · May 23, 2016

Dead Link Removed

this is my test with Retropan 320, at 20c with dedicated retro special developer.
using nikon e series 135mm lens

NEW Foma Retropan 320 Soft first pictures

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