Arista.EDU 100: B&W Film Review

[phototone]

Arista.EDU 100 film my observations.

Arista.EDU 100 film my observations.

I have only used this in 120 size, so my comments are just for that format.
The film does not have edge (frame) numbers. None. Does the 35mm size have frame numbers? For me, it seems the 120 size is actually thinner than comparable Agfa and Kodak b/w films. Physically thinner, not image wise.

While tonality is good, it is the curliest film I have ever used. Almost impossible to get it to lay flat enough in a contact printing frame to make a proof sheet. Have to tape down the edges to the glass with little bits of tape. This curling also makes it hard to get edge-to-edge sharpness when scannning a frame, as I don't have a glass negative holder for my scanners.

Putting it in a page sleeve and in a book under pressure for a while doesn't seem to help. this technique does help with other brands of b/w film.

Otherwise a fairly good film.

My favorite b/w film for 120 is Agfa APX 100, and right now for 35mm it is Fuji Neopan 400. Both developed in D-76.

 

[bmattock]

I have only used this in 120 size, so my comments are just for that format.
The film does not have edge (frame) numbers. None. Does the 35mm size have frame numbers? For me, it seems the 120 size is actually thinner than comparable Agfa and Kodak b/w films. Physically thinner, not image wise.

While tonality is good, it is the curliest film I have ever used. Almost impossible to get it to lay flat enough in a contact printing frame to make a proof sheet. Have to tape down the edges to the glass with little bits of tape. This curling also makes it hard to get edge-to-edge sharpness when scannning a frame, as I don't have a glass negative holder for my scanners.

Putting it in a page sleeve and in a book under pressure for a while doesn't seem to help. this technique does help with other brands of b/w film.

Otherwise a fairly good film.

My favorite b/w film for 120 is Agfa APX 100, and right now for 35mm it is Fuji Neopan 400. Both developed in D-76.

I agree with all your conclusions. Yes, the 35mm also has no frame numbers. Wasn't a problem for me, but it could be for some. The 120 *is* very curly. I was able to scan it, but it was curly. DIdn't try to flatten it, so not sure on that.

I would not use this stuff to shoot a wedding (grin), but it works fine as a 'out and about with a camera' film. Good results + cheap works well for me!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[pshinkaw]

Bill:

Have you tried the Arista edu Ultra that Frestyle is replacing Arist edu with?

-Paul

 

[bmattock]

Just bought some last week - have not shot any yet. Will report back as soon as I do. Hehehehe.

What am I, Consumer Reports for Film? LOL!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[pshinkaw]

I respect your opinion.

-Paul

 

[bmattock]

Paul,

I was just kidding, buddy! Of course I'll be testing and posting my results!

And thanks for the kind words!

Best,

Bill

 

[bmattock]

OK, as luck would have it, my order from JandC showed up today after work. I got my order from Freestyle last week. Here's what I have ready to test:

120 Format:

Fuji Neopan Acros 100
Arista.EDU Ultra 200
Lucky SHD 100
Lucky SHD 400
JandC Pro 100

35mm Format:

Ilford Pan F Plus 50
Efke KB 100
Arista.EDU Ultra 200
Lucky SHD 400 (100 was unavailable)

I also have a roll of Efke R100 in 127 format to test.

I chose these primarily based on their price (hehehe). I'm looking for a reasonable Tri-x substitute that I can shoot on a regular basis, but also just for a 'look' that I like and is easy to work with. As I mentioned before, my first experience with Arista.EDU was worthwhile, but the film is very curly. I've had difficulty getting it loaded on the reel in 120 format - a big pain! But the film itself was quite nice.

Ann-Marie and I are going to the 'Acorn Festival' this weekend - I believe I'll shoot up some of this B&W and develop it in my leftover D76. After that, I've got some Diafine (finally) and some Acufine that I want to try.

By the way, the 'Lucky' brand is from China - Kodak made a big investment in them last year so they could modernize their plant. I've been wanting to try some of their film - now JandC seems to be importing it. There are also two Russian brands that I have not been able to get my hands on. Love to try those as well.

Any suggestions/comments or requests?

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[doubs43]

Bill, as luck would have it, my Freestyle order arrived today. I now have a 100 feet roll of EDU Ultra 200 and a roll of EDU Ultra 400. The sticker on the can top says it's made in the Czech Republic so I'm guessing it's Fomapan.

If I have a chance I'll load some of the 200 this weekend and give it a try. I'll save the 400 for later as I already have 400 speed film in two of my loaders now.

I only hope that the 35mm isn't as prone to curl as the 120 film.

Walker

 

[bmattock]

Walker,

Is the Freestyle Arista.EDU 400 and the new Ultra the same stuff? If so, bummer! The EDU 100 was very curly. I don't care if it is really FOMA, but I've no experience with FOMA - curly?

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[doubs43]

Walker,

Is the Freestyle Arista.EDU 400 and the new Ultra the same stuff? If so, bummer! The EDU 100 was very curly. I don't care if it is really FOMA, but I've no experience with FOMA - curly? Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

Honestly Bill, I don't know. My only prior experience with EDU film was a couple of 120 rolls of EDU-200. I believe it was made in Hungary by Forte. Curling was moderate and looking at the negatives after being in envelopes for a couple of months, the curling is almost gone.

Not so with JandC Pro-100 in 120. That stuff wants to assume the fetal position in a bad way!! It turns out a nice picture but I've never seen anything worse for curling! As like as not there's no gummed label to secure the roll when you get to the end either. When mine is used up - I bought 20 rolls - I'm not likely to buy more unless I have a specific reason.

The EDU-200 Ultra and 400 Ultra in 35mm will be my first use of Arista's new line of EDU films. I'm not even sure what developers I'll be using although Rodinal for the 200 is likely and D-76 1:1 for the 400 is almost a certainty. These may be good films to try in Diafine.

Best Regards,
Walker

 

[bmattock]

Walker,

Gotcha, thanks. I'll be souping mine in D76 if only because I know more or less what to expect from it, so the differences I see should be differences in the film, you know? If all goes well, then I'll try whatever I like well enough to continue using in the Acufine or Diafine.

I did end up with one roll of the JandC Pro 100 in 120 - hope it is not too curly for me. Might be the same stuff as the Arista.EDU 100 I tried earlier this year. If so, yeah, it's nearly too curly to work with.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Roger Hicks]

Ah, a 16-II. As I recall, $28 in the PX in 1966 -- or am I misremembering?

Cheers,

Roger

 

[wlewisiii]

Bill,
Have you had a chance to try the Lucky SHD yet? I've been eyeing it up over at the J and C web site, but I'd like to hear a little more about it first.

Thanks,

Williamm

 

[Roman]

William, I haven't used it myself, but a friend of mine has, and I have seen the prints - the worst one I've ever seen from him (and he has quite a bit of experience with darkroom stuff, and did quite a bit of testing with the Lucky SHDs). Really low sharpness, kinda washed out looking, and if the scene was even only ever so slightly backlit, flare was very visible.
If you are looking at the Lucky films because of their price, try Fomapan 100, Efke 100, Adox 125 and 400 instead - all of these are much better, shpuld not be much more expensive, and are carried by JandC, I think.

Roman

 

[BrianPhotog]

Lucky is Kodak Emultions

Lucky is Kodak Emultions

Anyone remember the announcement Kodak made a few years ago about selling its emultions to manufacturers? Lucky SHD is Plus-X & Tri-X emultions (sold to Lucky directly from Kodak). The only difference between them is the base. Kodak uses an anti-halation layer and a clear base while Lucky uses a cloudy base to combat halation (the same way Ilford films do).

 

[bmattock]

Bill,
Have you had a chance to try the Lucky SHD yet? I've been eyeing it up over at the J and C web site, but I'd like to hear a little more about it first.

Thanks,

Williamm

William,

No, I haven't done it yet! I have an opportunity to do some macro frlowers this weekend, perhaps something all artsy would be an appropriate test? We'll see what we can come up with.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[bmattock]

You folks might find this of interest:

http://lfi.portrix.net/ceemes/show.php?lfi_topstory_thumb_en

They also saw some problems with the Lucky brand film. I haven't tried it yet, I have a couple of rolls sitting around. I will report back with my results when I do.

There are also a couple of FSU B&W films that I'd like to get my hands on to test ...

http://www.slavich.ru/ (glass plates, love to try that sometime)

The Shostka industrial amalgamation "Svema" (can't find a website, but I've seen references to the film stock here and there - the movie "Venus in Furs" was shot using this film, I'm told.

Tasma - Can't seem to locate a web page for them, either - or a place in the USA to buy some to try it.

And although not in the former USSR...

http://www.tura-film.de/en/0210.html

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[titrisol]

Fortepan 100 is/was a decent film. I used to buy it in Ecuador (dirt cheap) when I belonged to a photo club (late 80s-early 90s). I think it came to Ecuador as a barter with Hungary for bananas so prices were incredeibly cheap (about 1/5 of Kodak's).
Tonality was good, sharpness was OK and grain was larger than the other 100 films, but it lent itself to some funky tricks with developers/staining. I used to develop it in D76 1+1 and have some cool stained negatives (but i don't know how i made them). If i had a roll I'd try developing it in caffenol. It was not too good for pushing, even though I did it a few times.
I'd shot wedding with it, why not, lots of character!!!!!

J&C Pro100 (120) is a very interesting film, just those little tubes it comes in makes the price more than worthwhile! It has a lot of antihalation dye, prewashing it leaves the water blue (like toilet bowl cleaner blue) . Tonality is good, and sharpness is good. Curly like hell yes!!!
It has a clear base and I expose it as 80 and develop it in caffenol, rodinal or Clayton F76+
One thing I have observed is that fixer comes out with a "yellow" color. I have trie dfresh fixer and it comes with this yellow tinge that I don;t like.

 

[Roman]

Bill,
Tura films are just respooled Agfa films! I heard rumors, though, that they are closing down their spooling plant.
'alex-photo' occasionally sells Svema film, http://www.retrophotographic.com/ sells Tasma films (they are located in the UK, though).

Roman