Opportunity Knocks...

I'm in if the price is right (for me, that's pretty low; in fact, I usually roll my own). I develop in my bathroom with HC110, so I can play around and take notes.

I'll be starting a darkroom course in a month or so, and I'd be happy to try out some paper as well. For paper, I'd go in for a competitive price and small quantities, but I have little printing experience so I couldn't give you much in the way of feedback. I suppose I could mail prints back to you.
 
Speaking of experimentation, I'm curious about the new old-school B&W--Forte, Foma, Efke, etc. Which one would be the easiest to handle for a fumble-fingered dev-it-youself-er like me?
 
allthumbs said:
Speaking of experimentation, I'm curious about the new old-school B&W--Forte, Foma, Efke, etc. Which one would be the easiest to handle for a fumble-fingered dev-it-youself-er like me?
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Foma would be my choice. Efke for the 'old school' effects - nice and grainy, but sharp, lots of tonal range. It is literally a 'thick' emulsion - you can tell the difference as you drag it through your camera! But both Forte and Efke, in my experience are a bit on the curly side, so if you have trouble getting your film on reels, I think the Foma would be easier to start with. Foma also resembles modern emulsions more, I think. Which would make sense, I heard it was a t-grain, so it *is* a modern emulsion.

If you just wanted a pure old-fashioned Weegee Moment, I'd go for the Efke.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
I'm game for some rolls. I think it is the romantic side of me that likes the idea of useing films and developers that are not as common. Anyway keep us posted and thanks for the work you put in
 
IIUC, Foma 200 is a T-grain. Foma 100 (I have a box of the Arista.Edu Ultra rebrand in my fridge) is a very conventional old fashioned emulsion that is an utter delight to use in Diafine. I have heard that the Foma 400 is old style as well, but since that isn't made in sheet sizes 🙁 and I have too much other 120 to use up, I haven't tried it yet.

I'm about a third of the way through a box of 100 sheets. It's definately going to be my prefered 100 since Plus-X is no longer made in sheet sizes. Very good stuff. I was very happy to find the Foma films because Ilford and I just don't get along very well over. Delta especially, but even the fp/hp films as well.

While I think it'll be fun to work with the Chinese film Bill is tracking down for us, it would have to be pretty good and very cheap to get me away from Foma.

William
 
Thanks, William. And thank you Bill for both the Foma advice and the Era initiative. I'll look to ordering sample rolls of the Edu 100 and 400 (which I take it are actually Foma 100 and 400). They are very cheap and come in reels too. Do you guys rate it at box speed?
 
100 gives an honest 200 in Diafine. I have not used it in any other developer. If the usual holds true, I would run my first roll of 400 at EI620 to 1200 in steps and then decide what one was best. I'll bet that 800 or 1000 will turn out best, though.

I have read of people getting EI400 out of Foma 200 (even though it's a T-grain film) in Diafine. I am hoping that is true as I could really use a reasonably reliable replacement for TXP320 sheet film.

William
 
allthumbs said:
Thanks, William. And thank you Bill for both the Foma advice and the Era initiative. I'll look to ordering sample rolls of the Edu 100 and 400 (which I take it are actually Foma 100 and 400). They are very cheap and come in reels too. Do you guys rate it at box speed?
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I do, but I have just started using Diafine, I was using D-76 exclusively. Now I may have to recalculate.

Remember, Arista.EDU is Forte - Arista.EDU Ultra is Foma. Confusing, I know.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
This is an admirable folk-style marketing research project, but I'll bet J&C knows a bit more than we do about realistic alternatives. http://www.jandcphotography.com/

I wonder if we could lure somebody (is it "David"?) onto this site for a little chat?

Can't remember who I've dealt with there (is there more than one person?) but that person was helpful when I was trying to sort out developers a while back. I get my "Rodinal" and Tetenal Emofin from J&C.
 
djon said:
This is an admirable folk-style marketing research project, but I'll bet J&C knows a bit more than we do about realistic alternatives. http://www.jandcphotography.com/

I wonder if we could lure somebody (is it "David"?) onto this site for a little chat?

Can't remember who I've dealt with there (is there more than one person?) but that person was helpful when I was trying to sort out developers a while back. I get my "Rodinal" and Tetenal Emofin from J&C.
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I was planning on doing the import myself. It may be "folk-style," but there is no reason I can't run it through my own business. But everyone is free to do as they please, of course.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Update: I have a small quantity of film (free samples) on the way. All I know at the moment is that they are sending me 4 rolls of 35mm and 1 box of 4x5. I will be in touch with those who expressed an interest.

FWIW, I have about a year's post-grad work in Contract Law and International Trade. I've never used it, but I know how to do it, if I'm not too rusty. I have a small business, and I am willing to import & resell. If the film is any good, we can do this. If you want to be part of this, send me an email (use the email option so my PM box doesn't fill up, please). You can send email from clicking on my profile, I believe.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
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