Whats a beautiful dev for Foma films?

[chip j]

esp the 100 & 400.

 

[koraks]

I prefer one of the pyros, such as pyrocat or 510 Pyro, or xtol if the stain isn't required. Overall, I currently use mainly mytol (xtol) for these films due to the relatively fine grain and optimal emulsion speed. Tonality is also quite nice.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

esp the 100 & 400.

Xtol

 

[Ian Grant]

I've used Xtol with Fomapan 100 & 200 in the past , however these days I use Pyrocat HD with all my B&W films. Be aware that Foma films build up contrast quicker than other makes and generally need aboy 75% shorter development times and drop from box speed to tame the contrast.

Ian

 

[chip j]

I have a mental block re: using orange juice (xtol) to dev film. I'm thinking Arista liquid film dev (Clayton F60) at the normal dilution of 1:9. That should tame contrast.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

esp the 100 & 400.

Rodinal!

 

[twelvetone12]

Rodinal the 100 iso, Adox Atomal the 400 iso!

 

[chris77]

rodinal. pyrocat. totally agree

 

[NB23]

I have a mental block re: using orange juice (xtol) to dev film. I'm thinking Arista liquid film dev (Clayton F60) at the normal dilution of 1:9. That should tame contrast.

You have to be stronger than that. You can’t read bullsith on the internet and then live your life based on the billshut.

Xtol is the last kodak developer, based on 100 years of film knowledge. A culmination of science made possible by scientists just for us. A marked improvement over many staples.

But if you insist on drinking it instead...

 

[MattKing]

I have a mental block re: using orange juice (xtol) to dev film.

But chip, it isn't orange juice - it is lemon juice!

 

[destroya]

pyrocat-m and rodinal. I actually think the 100 is best developed as B&W slides, does that count?

 

[Alan9940]

For LF Foma 100, I mostly use Pyrocat-HD 1:1:100 with a minimal agitation technique in tanks/hangers. Beautiful combination and results!

 

[mshchem]

I have a mental block re: using orange juice (xtol) to dev film. I'm thinking Arista liquid film dev (Clayton F60) at the normal dilution of 1:9. That should tame contrast.

XTOL ain't OJ, I know I've tried it.

RODINAL.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

I have a mental block re: using orange juice (xtol) to dev film. I'm thinking Arista liquid film dev (Clayton F60) at the normal dilution of 1:9. That should tame contrast.

Foma emulsions are pretty sensitive to ascorbic acid based developers, but, if you can pull the contrast in, look great.

 

[pentaxuser]

Foma emulsions are pretty sensitive to ascorbic acid based developers, but, if you can pull the contrast in, look great.

What makes Foma films more sensitive to ascorbic acid based developers such as Xtol than others( what are the others which are not sensitive?) and how do you pull the contrast in to avoid the "Xtol drawback" if I can call it such?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[Adrian Bacon]

What makes Foma films more sensitive to ascorbic acid based developers such as Xtol than others( what are the others which are not sensitive?) and how do you pull the contrast in to avoid the "Xtol drawback" if I can call it such?

Thanks

pentaxuser

Dunno about what makes them more sensitive, but they are. You can tell how sensitive an emulsion is based on the development time, so emulsions like Ilford delta 3200 or JCH Streetpan that have a very long dev relative to others aren’t particularly sensitive.

You pull the contrast in the same way as you do with other developers, less dev time, and/or less agitation, and/or less temperature

 

[Peter Schrager]

I only use the foma 100 sheets
I develop in pyrocat mc and do it by inspection
I usually shoot at box speed but if its questionable I just add more time
I think the 100 is a sleeper film

 

[GregY]

as an aside... Any particular reason you're using Foma film, given all the reported pinhole issues?

 

[Adrian Bacon]

as an aside... Any particular reason you're using Foma film, given all the reported pinhole issues?

That happens if your stop bath is too strong.

 

[pentaxuser]

You pull the contrast in the same way as you do with other developers, less dev time, and/or less agitation, and/or less temperature

Thanks so the distinguishing factor in terms of sensitivity to ascorbic based developers is time to develop perhaps rather than makes of films? If so is there a time,say not more than X mins for films in most non ascorbic developers than indicate a reduction in ascorbic acid developers?

I cannot find Xtol developing times for Foma films under the Kodak Xtol specs nor can I find the developing times for Foma films with what I think is closest Foma developer which has ascorbic acid in it. In short a comparison with makers' times doesn't seem possible.

Interestingly the MDC gives times for both Foma in Xtol and HP5+ in Xtol and there are two different times for Foma with Xtol, one of which is the same as HP5+ and the other gives Foma as requiring 2.5 minutes less( equal to a 20% reduction) which is in line with your experience.

What reduction in time have you found necessary for Foma and Xtol compared to say HP5+ and Xtol

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[Anon Ymous]

@pentaxuser Fomadon Excel is their Xtol clone. Foma provide development times for both Xtol and Fomadon Excel in their film datasheets. They even provide gamma - development time charts for Fomadon Excel in film datasheets.

 

[@DrHSTGonzo]

I've only shot with Fomapan 100 (120 & 135) & really like the look developed in <adox> Rodinal, 1:100 with minimal/semi-stand agitation for high contrast scenes & @ 1:50 for normal scenes.It's quite lovely film.

as an aside... Any particular reason you're using Foma film, given all the reported pinhole issues?

I've never had this issue, but maybe missed the bad batch(es?) that was causing problems.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

@pentaxuser Fomadon Excel is their Xtol clone. Foma provide development times for both Xtol and Fomadon Excel in their film datasheets. They even provide gamma - development time charts for Fomadon Excel in film datasheets.

+1

 

[Grim Tuesday]

In these threads, everyone just says the dev that they use. I'll continue the trend. I love my results with Foma 400 in HC-110. I find the grain to be quite present but pleasing. The tonal curves are great for portraits with available light when rated at 400. Rated at 100 or 200 and developed in dilution H it is extremely sharp: https://www.flickr.com/photos/132764966@N03/45602962951/in/dateposted-public/

 

[peter k.]

Oh my:

I love my results with Foma 400 in HC-110.

Glad you get the results you like with HC110, but then your in Maryland, out here in the southwest, that combo has way to much contrast.