Fomapan 400 opinions/caveats?

[Renzsu]

I just bought a 10-pack of Fomapan 400 (120) since my one roll that I had turned out so nice. It seems like a great film, especially with the low price tag.
Is there something I have to watch out for though? How does it compare for example with HP5 or Neopan?
I'm thinking this is a nice film to start to learn home developing with, since it won't cost me an arm and a leg, but is it easier or trickier than its competitors?
Sorry if these questions seem basic, I haven't been shooting film for that long.

 

[jtzordon]

I started with Arista EDU Ultra 100 and 400 (same as Foma) when I first began developing my own. It's really an easy film to work with. I never had any specific issues related to the film; not my developing...that's another story.

 

[Freakscene]

Fomapan 400 doesn't keep well after exposure, it's latent image characteristics are not as good as more mainstream 400 speed films - process promptly. It's grainier, but that hardly matters in 120. I like it (and use it) a lot and have ever since I 'discovered' it in the Czech Republic in the mid-1990s.

Marty

 

[gian]

I kinda like the whole fomapan range... 100/200/400! they are quite sensitive for scratches, so you have to be very carefull with the wet emulsion... otherwise I love the grain that this classic emulsions provide (100/400)!

 

[Renzsu]

Cheers guys, I think I'll do some research in the black magic of home development as this seems like a nice project for the Holidays. I'm glad to read that the somewhat traditional look I got with my first test roll is something that I can look forward to for the rest that I ordered 🙂

 

[gian]

renzsu... have a look at my blog or flickr page, 99% percent of the actual shots are done with fomapan 😉

 

[Renzsu]

gian, a very impressive collection of work! I added you on flickr.
love the look of that film, it doesn't look like I'll be able to try Pan F or Acros 100 these coming months because it's going to be a bit darker, maybe i'll give foma 400 a shot on 35mm as well 😉

 

[Carlsen Highway]

As they advertise Fomapan is quite tolerant of exposure errors, good lattitude. Developing it it can come out a bit thin so you have to compensate for that, and if you dry it too quick it can be curly, so drip dry at room temp sort of thing.
The 400 speed 35mm is grainy, but in a pleasant way if that makes sense. The portrait shots on my member gallery were done with Fomapan 400 and developed in Ilford LC29.

 

[morback]

I myself am quite infatuated with Foma200 in 24x36. The only alternative I would consider would be Efke/Adox, but in my hybrid worklow Efke/Adox doesn't scan as well as Foma does (but not as bad a Tri-X!!!).

Both have wonderful looks to them and are a joy to use and process (in Rodinal).

Soon I will be trying out their medium format films.

 

[micromontenegro]

Fomapan 100 and 400 (I have not tried 200 yet) are the easiest emulsions to develop in my limited experience. Almost impossible to botch.

Foma 100 is my all time favorite film. Old fashioned in a very good sort ot way.

 

[Fotohuis]

Looking a bit carefully to the Fomapan 400 specs you can see that in none developers you will reach the iso 400 value.

Therfore in most developers E.I. 250 which give you some nice details in the shadows too.
For pushing Fomapan 400 is not very suitable. You can go to iso 800 but with already a steep developing curve.

Fomapan 200 is not produced anymore due to the fact a main ingredient for making this film is not supplied anymore to the Foma factory. Maybe they will find an alternative but production has stopped since November 2009.

Fomapan 100 is (now) their best film. A real iso 100 and very simular characteristics like APX 100. Works very nice E.I. 80 in Rodinal 7,5 minutes.

Regards,

Robert