Fortepan, Bergger, nice stuff....but that curl!

R

rich815

Guest
Despite being told by a luddite at Adolph Gasser's a few months ago (photo place here in San Francisco) that Bergger 200 did not scan well I tried it and have found it scans beautifully. I also recently tried some Fortepan 400 and the initial results look promising---a very nice film. This all said these films cannot lay flat and have severe curl in the negs (I mostly use them in 120, but 35mm is not much better it seems). I know sometimes curl can be affected by developer used but I'd hate to be held hostage by a certain developer merely for it's curl or not curl properties---besides I've developed the Bergger in a few developers and there seems no change in curl. How does everyone else deal with this issue? I like these films but it's a real bear to get them into the scanner's film strip holders and I worry also that even if I get them in the edges or centers might still be bowing or curling affecting sharpness and focus ability of the scanners.

Anyone have any ideas on either how to flatten the negs or how they might mount the negs their flattest? To be honest if I cannot solve this I'll move on. I like these films but they do not seem any better than say Tri-X, FP4+ or Delta 100----a few of my other fav's----they are just different.
 
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Toby, yes, I've heard the rumors. But Bergger will still be around as far as I know, and even if they are bust I'll bet we can find Forte for at least another year or so, or stock up a few year's worth if needed and the price is right.

Would not have posted this if I felt they were not worth trying to work with. To be honest I was not optimistic of the Fortepan 400 but it looks pretty nice viewing my first few scans.

That said, maybe you're right. On to Neopan 400?
 
You might try laying the negatives under a heavy book for a few days before trying to scan. Most negatives curl to a certain extent under no pressure, but they can be flattened easily that way.
 
My tip - HP5+ pulled to 200 iso, cheap, easily available and ten times the film at this speed. I'll be posting soon....
 
Toby said:
My tip - HP5+ pulled to 200 iso, cheap, easily available and ten times the film at this speed. I'll be posting soon....
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been liking it sometimes in Perceptol 1:2 or 1:3, what are you souping in Toby? And are you scanning the negs?
 
I presume you are using Photo Flo as your final bath. If not, this is a must. It works as well as anything. Hang to dry with a small weight on film holder as well.
Steve
 
Yup, using PhotoFlo, have all the time. Does not help as far as I can see. And if it is I shutter to think what kind of curl I'd have if I did not use it.

And I hang the film in the shower weighted with plastic clips (even used THREE clips with the Fortepan, but did not help).
 
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I had the same problem with JandC pro 120 film. Nothingworked until I rewound
the film after washing backwards, emulsion side out, and let it dry on the reel. You have to be careful not to scratch it but it worked for me. Photoflo after the rewind.
Bill
 
I used to shoot a lot of Forte 400. Found no way to eliminate the curl, so I just live with it.
 
Methods, some of them already mentioned:

-make sure you dry in decently-humid space
-respool but backwards, dry on reel
-lots of books (I also put the sheets front/back/back/front so that the curl from roll to roll is fighting itself).

-if you're scanning the 120 on an epson flatbed, then get Doug Fisher's holder with the AN glass. That'll help that. With a dedicated I'm not familiar enough with the holders to give advice on that.

allan
 
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