Arista EDU Ultra 400

ChrisPlatt

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Just picked up a bargain on some Arista EDU Ultra 400 35mm film;
see my post in the "deals on film" thread.

I know a number of you have used this film. Any hints?
HC110 or Rodinal?

TIA,
Chris
 
Personally I find the Arista 400 a little too grainy for my taste when souped in Rodinol. Nice and sharp though.

Of the two I would use HC110. I prefer 1:100 dilution semi stand.

I found I could get really nice tone gradation by under-exposing the Aristia a liittle and then compensating by slight over-development.
 
Thanks for the input. Some questions:
Does this film have a thinner than normal base?
Any curling/wrinkling problems drying?
Does emulsion or base scratch easily?
Any purple negatives problem?

TIA,
Chris
 
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I've read somewhere here in RFF that the pre-rolled Fomapan (arista.edu) rolls have light leaks. Anyone who can confirm/deny this?

Tomorrow I'll have a dozen Fomapan 120 rolls delivered, and after reading about the light issues today, I'm very nervous they'll be ruined even before I open the envelope...
 
ChrisPlatt said:
Thanks for the input. Some questions:
Any purple negatives problem?

Yeah, I've used the 120 version and it was *really* purple even after an extended fix time. I think it is just the nature of the film. And yes, it is also quite thin compared to HP5 which I usually use.

Jack
 
I've shot the 100 and 400 speed in 120 and the 200 in 135 bulk. The 120 size is on a blue polyester base. The 135 is not. I haven't had any problems with light leaks in the dozen or so rolls I've shot. No issues with scratching, unusual curl.
 
What sort of grain can I expect from Arista EDU Ultra 400 film?
How does it compare to other manufacturers 400 speed films?

TIA,
Chris
 
ChrisPlatt said:
What sort of grain can I expect from Arista EDU Ultra 400 film?
How does it compare to other manufacturers 400 speed films?

TIA,
Chris

the grain is very similar to the old HP-5 without the plus.

your exposure and the type of developer you use
plays a part in grain visiblity also.
 
Wow, that's a big file. But thanks, it echoes my own experiences with the 120 version of this film. It's not TX 120, but it's not awful.

While Xayra33 might disagree, I believe the 35mm version is another story (and a different film, the 120 does have a purple tint to it where the 35mm doesn't) - it has a lot of grain and doesn't do well with over development (you can push it, sure, but be ready for grain). It's contrasty in D-76 1:1 and while Arista recommends 12 minutes, you'll want to develop for closer to 8.5 - 9 (even that can be problematic, so experiment). I don't know about rodinal or HC110, but I'd guess the former would be sharper but grainy and the latter would be very similar to the result I got - very grainy and contrasty. The 35mm version, in my opinion, is cheap... that's about it. Yes, I know some RFF'ers love grain, but this film wasn't/isn't my cup of tea. The Arista.EDU Ultra 200 is much easier to work with (it's allegedly a T-grain film, but I doubt this) and the grain seems closer to Tri-X (in case it's not obvious, I bought both films looking for an inexpensive replacement/subsitute for my photography students - we supply the film and paper and Freestyle is a good deal on our very limited budget, but a year's supply of the 400 ISO 35mm was a mistake on my part. Next year I guess we'll go with the 200).

Just my two cents, and I know they're worth even less than that.

Have a good weekend,

Andrew
 
Daniel, I think you got some superb results with Fomapan 400 film.
one should not get too bogged down on a film's graininess or lack of.
this film has a nice old fashion look to it that suits certain subjects.
 
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xayraa33 said:
one should not get too bogged down on a film's graininess or lack of.

??? I'm going to have to totally disagree with that, lol... The grain structure/quality/quantity/appearance is excactly what I look for in film... in fact, grain is 50% of the reason why I shoot film instead of digital. well, ok... maybe 10%, but you know what i mean ;-)

Each film has it's own signature in regards to grain... it's like owning different lenses of the same focal length, you're not going to get the same results from a J8 that you are a Canon 50 1.2, even if shot at the same aperture...
 
yes, film grain is one quality out of many qualities that a film has.
but not the only quality.
 
xayraa33 said:
yes, film grain is one quality out of many qualities that a film has.
but not the only quality.

;) :) :D :angel:

(message had to be longer so I put multiple smileys!!!)
 
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