Purchasing Fortepan 200

johnlsullivan3 · Feb 13, 2015

Does anyone know where in the US can I buy Fortepan 200 in 120 size? Do they still make it? If so, where?

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 13, 2015

Welcome!
I'm sorry, the Forte factory closed years ago.

See: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Yeah, another victim of idiots "going digi".
RIP

You can still buy Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 in 120. And several Ilford and Adox films as well.
Buy now!
Support the remaining factories, please.

pdeeh · Feb 13, 2015

Please Ricardo, it's really quite unnecessary to make remarks about "idiots going digi".
there are plenty of people on this forum who are digital users and are not idiots.
It is perfectly possible that the OP is an "idiot gone digi" who is now returning to film, in which case your remarks won't exactly make for a welcome.
You always seem like a nice chap, so why join the ranks of the contemptuous and divisive like this?

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 13, 2015

Yes, Mr. Anonymous Pdeeh.

Because, I am sick of seeing every film I like going away, due to reduced demand.
And because it is the truth.

If you want to criticise me, at least sign your posts with your first name, please.
That is a coward attitude.

darkosaric · Feb 13, 2015

Welcome to APUG johnlsullivan . What do you like in Fortepan 200? Maybe we can help you to find the film that will be a good substitute.

pdeeh · Feb 13, 2015

Ricardo Miranda said:
Yes, Mr. Anonymous Pdeeh.

Because, I am sick of seeing every film I like going away, due to reduced demand.
And because it is the truth.

If you want to criticise me, at least sign your posts with your first name, please.
That is a coward attitude.

Ricardo, I have been perfectly polite in my post, although quite direct.

Attacking me personally is unnecessary and contrary to the site rules

Everybody has a choice as to whether they use their real name or not on a forum, and indeed even those adopting apparently "real names" may simply be using a pseudonym.

Ian Grant · Feb 13, 2015

Fortepan 200 was derived from pre WWII Kodak Super-XX, The Forte factory was built by Kodak and was a subsidiary of Kodak Ltd in the UK. they made the newly introduced new "improved" range of Kodak films, Panatomic-X, Super-XX and Tri-X.

Forte came under German control in WWII and was taken over by the State after the war, their emulsions only changed or rather evolved slightly after the war compared to the more significant improvements in films at Kodak, Ilford, Agfa etc.

Having said that Fortepan 200 was an excellent film, quite a thick old style emulsion, silver rich, and capable of superb results, with a long tonal range. I only used it in 10x8 and still have 3 boxes left.

Ian

MDR · Feb 13, 2015

Unfortunately the owners of Forte made more money with a real estate deal than with their excellent film digital is only partially to blame for the demise of Forte blame the Real Estate developers instead.

You might find some on ebay, unfortunately there is no 100% substitute for Fortepan as it was the last thick Emulsion film in production. Most modern film including Fomapan will offer better sharpness than Forte, but they lack the tonal range.

Good luck with your search

SuzanneR · Feb 13, 2015

Let's keep it cordial folks, and not sure that Fortepan can be found except maybe occasionally out of date rolls of film on e-bay.

Ian Grant · Feb 13, 2015

All the last Forte film & paper produced went to Fotoimpex and sold out quickly.

Ian

MDR · Feb 13, 2015

As a previous poster said what did you like about the film if it was the tonal range than T-Max 100 is a good Substitute as it is the film with the biggest tonal range.
If it is the old style look you liked than Fomapan 100,200 and 400 are a good substitutes

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 13, 2015

pdeeh said:
Ricardo, I have been perfectly polite in my post, although quite direct.

Attacking me personally is unnecessary and contrary to the site rules

Everybody has a choice as to whether they use their real name or not on a forum, and indeed even those adopting apparently "real names" may simply be using a pseudonym.

Dear pdeeh,

I'm sorry for the outburst.
It was just something I read when I searched for Forte info.
It wasn't to offend you.
My apologies.

and not sure that Fortepan can be found except maybe occasionally out of date rolls of film on e-bay.

Dear Suzanne

As a curiosity, I was this morning on a photographic shop here in London and I saw a large flat pack with "Forte" written in big letters.
I didn't have the courage to ask what it was and how long had it been there.

Xmas · Feb 13, 2015

Subjectively

HP5+ and Tx have a large dynamic range for capture, of both highlights and shadows.
Fomapan 400 the most apparent grain for period shots though rather less dynamic range for capture.
The slower films (e.g. PanF) and tabular grain (e.g. Delta100) offer more image quality if you need to look for grain in 16x20 inch prints from 35mm, though less dynamic range.
There are specialist films like XP2+ which can be dropped of at a mini lab and have larger dynamic range.
Or mono cine films.

The choice is very subjective.

Lots of companies have stopped manufacture or reduced range of film.

My hot news full frame system DSLR chums complain that all the kids have smart phones with four buttons, click, clapper board, sent photo or video to national radio (BBC) web site, send text to national radio web site, the kids have the data there first.

So it is no longer 'being there and /5.6' but 'being there and battery % > 25'.

ChuckP · Feb 13, 2015

Is this the same as the old Bergger 200 film?

MDR · Feb 13, 2015

Yes Fortepan was sold as Bergger BRF 100, 200 & 400 and in the UK as Classic Pan and of course as Forte Fortepan.

The film with highest dynamic range is Kodak T-Max 100 it is also the best film to get the old 1930's Studio look. The drawback of T-Max is that it is a bit finicky at the development stage other than that it is a great film.
HP4+ has a good dynamic range and very good Greys another Option is Rollei RPX 400 it has a bit more grain than HP5 but a very classic look and is available in all sizes up to 4x5in.

If you want a ISO 200 Film Fomapan is a superb film with a classic somewhat unique look, grainwise it is close to Fortepan unfortunately some batches had QC Problems.

madgardener · Feb 14, 2015

While I was not fortunate enough to find this hobby before Forte bit the dust, I did get to try Efke's line and loved the look of the film. I was quite unhappy when they stopped manufacturing but from what I saw, the factory was in horrid shape and they needed to close, if for no other reason, for safety reasons. ADOX however has managed to step in with some very good substitutes for the Efke line. Give them a try.

MartinP · Feb 15, 2015

The Adox film which may be interesting for the OP to try out is Adox CHS100 II. If you look around, or just buy from Fotoimpex, it should be available in 135, 120, 4x5", 5x7" and 8x10".

Purchasing Fortepan 200

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