Foma 200 in 120 feedback required

[mfogiel]

HI,
I was thinking of trying this film again, as I've seen stories, that problems have been ironed out. I tried this film a few years ago, and it was full of pinholes, and was curling like crazy.
Has anybody been shooting the latest batches, and would be wiling to share the experience?
Thanks
Marek

 

[D.O'K.]

I've shot c.5 rolls. No problems (including with pinholes), although it does curl somewhat more than the Ilford material I usually use. Good tonality and very acceptable sharpness--I'd happily buy more.

Regards,
D.

 

[Photo_Smith]

I have about 12 rolls used in the last year, no issues as such seems nice if a little slower in D76/Rodinal than 200.
I have used it for about 7 years, never seen a pinhole in 35mm or 120 although I understand the earlier emulsions which were labeled Fomapan 200T did have some defects which have since been ironed out.

 

[Fotohuis]

FP200 in 120 roll film changed last year. Due to a lack of an ingredient Foma could not made this film anymore for a short time.

They optimized the formulae again so the result is a better hardened film, now on Clear Polyester material (from Agfa Gevaert) and a new glued self adhesive sticker.
The A.H. layer is also new and they have used a new more soft backing paper to prevent too much stress on the film emulsion.

A new film means a new data sheet which you can find back on the Foma web site.

Also the 135-36 film improved due to the new type emulsion. Better hardening so less change of damaging the film.

I am shooting a lot of Fomapan Creative 200 film, mostly on E.I. 160 and developed in Xtol/Fomadon Excel W27 1+1 for 9:00 minutes at 20C.

Both in 35mm and 120 roll film format. The film has a special look due to the Silver Crystals which is a mix between cubical type and hexagonal type material.

Fomapan 200 under the electronic microscoop.

 

[Fotohuis]

A recent shot on 35mm:

Elmarit 2,8/21mm.

A test shot on the new FP200 120 roll film on Clear Polyester layer.
C.V. Bessa III 667. Heliar 3,5/80mm.

Both films developed in Xtol 1+1.

 

[mfogiel]

I like the stuff in 35mm a lot, except for its inability to darken the skies - perhaps you have some scientific explanation for this. In my opinion, it is an ideal portrait emulsion, but also great for still life and recording textures. This one was shot with the Macro Planar 100/2 and developed in Prescysol EF:



20094211 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[Fotohuis]

More then sharp ..... 😉

 

[Photo_Smith]

The film has a special look due to the Silver Crystals which is a mix between cubical type and hexagonal type material.

Fomapan 200 under the electronic microscoop.

Thanks for posting that Robert. Foma Creative 200T was a mixture too, the image seems to show tabular grain rather than the epitaxial one they had before.
If that is the case then they would have more in common with Tmax than Fuji/Ilford where the original Creative took technology from.

Looking at that electron micrograph I'd say they have a very fine grain Tabular emulsion layer paired with a slower cubic one which would make it a hybrid emulsion just like TMax 400.

 

[Fotohuis]

Fomapan T200 is the old name. Foma get in conflict with Kodak about that T.

They changed the name years ago to: Fomapan Creative 200.
And yes, it IS a hybride type emulsion.

A few more posts on this terrific nice film. 35mm with my Leica and Elmarit 2,8/28mm. They were made in Prague many years ago in February when the temperature reaches -23C.

Fomapan T200 in R09 (at that time the Calbe Rodinal version from Foma).

 

[haempe]

...
They optimized the formulae again so the result is a better hardened film, now on Clear Polyester material (from Agfa Gevaert) and a new glued self adhesive sticker.
...

Is this the same type as with the later RPX?
That would be a dealbreaker for me...
I had serious problems with both (my Mamiyas and with my TLRs) by removing the foil and sticking within the bodies during winding to the end of the film.
In my book this is also a step back because one needs two hands to close the film properly...

 

[robbeiflex]

FP200 in 120 roll film changed last year. Due to a lack of an ingredient Foma could not made this film anymore for a short time.

They optimized the formulae again so the result is a better hardened film, now on Clear Polyester material (from Agfa Gevaert) and a new glued self adhesive sticker...

Does that mean the 120 doesn't have that strange, but somehow I liked it, blue base? If so, then I am out of date and need to try it again. I really liked the rolls I shot about three years ago. Time to go downstairs and check if I have any left in the freezer.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Fotohuis]

The old batches were on Blue Polyester.

RPX (Rollei) films are made by Harman / Ilford and have nothing to do with these Czech Fomapan films.

Only 120 roll film changed of material. The 35mm films are still on tri-Acetate.

 

[haempe]

...
RPX (Rollei) films are made by Harman / Ilford and have nothing to do with these Czech Fomapan films.
...

Sorry, it seems you misunderstood me.
My question regards the kind of the self adhesive stickers.
Pull off foil and sticks without licking?

 

[Bingley]

Has anyone tried this film with HC110? I'm also wondering whether Foma 200 is better pulled or shot at box speed.

 

[Fotohuis]

Indeed without licking and the new stickers will not come off to quickly.

So far I did not test FP200 in HC-110. The regular speed of this film is around iso 160. In Rodinal iso 100-125.

I have tested this film on E. I. 80-100 with the Windisch W665 developer an ultra fine grain type developer with amazing results.

 

[robbeiflex]

Same here. In XTOL, ID-11, and LC-29 best results at 160, 160, and 125 respectively.

 

[robbeiflex]

^oops, but that was for the old formulation. Time to redo tests! 🙂

 

[Fotohuis]

W665 stock at 20C. FP200 E.I. 100 for 9:45 minutes in this Ultra Fine Grain type developer. It is based on ortho- Phenylene Diamine and this film is reacting very good on it.

35mm, M7 + Summicron 2,0/50mm.
Grainless this combination ...... :angel:

 

[mfogiel]

Looks impressive, at least at this size... And how about the acutance?

 

[Fotohuis]

The acutance is always less with any Ultra Fine Grain type developer but this W665 is pretty good.