Fomapan profi-line 'Creative' 200 - anyone using?

Dave Wilkinson

Dave Wilkinson

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In preparation for my 2 week trip to southern Turkey ( 4 weeks time! ) I had a look at Ebay for some black & white film bargains - my colour requirements are now catered for by the DSLR. I came across some long-dated Fomapan 'Creative' 200.....a ten pack for just £15 plus postage! - so at that price I have taken a chance, and ordered. I have used Fomapan films satisfactorily, several years ago, but believe this one is a 'T' grain type - in the Delta style?.
I just wondered if anyone is using regularly, and about any quirks, or shortcomings - etc.?
Cheers,Dave.
 
I've shot nothing but Fomapan 200 in my 35mm
cameras and I love it. It is not a "T grain" film,
despite the name. It has a fine grain and a lovely
tonal range, and it likes to be overexposed, and
it dries flat as can be. I ususally expose it at EI
100 and process it in 1:50 Rodinal for 8-9 minutes
@ 68F. Delicious.

So enjoy it while it lasts, but don't get too attached
to it -- Foma discontinued it a few months ago. Alas.
 
It is supposedly temporarily out of production due to a re-formulation being needed after the availability of current ingredients changed. This year also sees a rebuild or re-equip of part of the Foma plant, so the 'best case' scenario is there will likely be a good few months before it is available again. Source for this information is a Dutch importer of Foma products, via Apug.

It is/was certainly a popular film, mentioned in very positive terms on Roger Hicks website and in many other places. When I heard it was out of production I also bought a few rolls, but that is a bit too late really.
 
One thing to watch out for is that it goes off quite quickly after its expiry and that it responds poorly to being x-rayed. In long-dated eBay batches you may see clear spots after it is developed; the film includes incorporated developing accelerants that have a finite life - I believe it was a component of these that they can no longer get.

Marty
 
I love that film.

It's actually a mix of classic & modern grain.

It scans exceptionally well.

It is momentarily (?) out of production.
 
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Well it arrived quickly, and I've shot a roll off today to try things out ( hanging up to dry ) and shall scan tonight. Procedure was :- Konica FT1 - 40MM F1.8 with yellow filter, and meter set to ISO 125 then Rodinal @ 1-50 for ten minutes, with a couple of inversions every minute. The negs look a little thin generally!.......any thoughts on times with this stuff, please?
Dave.
 
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My treatment of it needs a little refining - but so far I like it! :)
Dave.
4528490115_82daeddd8f.jpg
 
Dave,

This is the information that fotohuis gave me when I inquired about Fomapan 200 ( back when it was still being made ):

"The iso speed of this Czech film is just lower (iso 160) then you should expect on the box (Fomapan 200). When using a Para-Amino Phenol type developer (like Rodinal) you are loosing 1/3-2/3 F stop in iso speed.
So for full details in the shadows you have to expose this film on iso 125 or iso 100.
When not you can develop a bit more but you will have a steep developing curve and therefore missing a large nice grey scale.
BTW, this is valid for all B&W films, not specific for Fomapan Creative 200.

When using a speed enhencing developer you can use iso 160.

More information you can find on our website: http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl "

So, I usually shoot it at160, and develop it for 9 min. in Rodinal 1:50 ( based upon the information that Robert provided on his website ).

It's a great film, and a shame that it's no longer being made. Have fun with it. And nice photos ( it's nice to see that the US isn't the only place where hard-core Christian fanatics take to the streets... ).

JP
 
jpa66 said:
Dave,

This is the information that fotohuis gave me when I inquired about Fomapan 200 ( back when it was still being made ):

"The iso speed of this Czech film is just lower (iso 160) then you should expect on the box (Fomapan 200). When using a Para-Amino Phenol type developer (like Rodinal) you are loosing 1/3-2/3 F stop in iso speed.
So for full details in the shadows you have to expose this film on iso 125 or iso 100.
When not you can develop a bit more but you will have a steep developing curve and therefore missing a large nice grey scale.
BTW, this is valid for all B&W films, not specific for Fomapan Creative 200.

When using a speed enhencing developer you can use iso 160.

More information you can find on our website: http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl "

So, I usually shoot it at160, and develop it for 9 min. in Rodinal 1:50 ( based upon the information that Robert provided on his website ).

It's a great film, and a shame that it's no longer being made. Have fun with it. And nice photos ( it's nice to see that the US isn't the only place where hard-core Christian fanatics take to the streets... ).

JP
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info - I shall modify my treatment!
Dave.
 
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