They all laughed: Fomapan 200 @ 800

[TimSmith-Laing]

They said it was impossible! But I proved them all wrong!

Well, actually, no one ever said it was impossible, nor was I out to prove them wrong. A while ago I accidentally shot a roll of Fomapan 200 at entirely the wrong speed. Schoolboy error. Not even sure what I'd muddled it with now. Anyway, I just came across it, with my optimistic note 'PUSH 800'. I had a sickening memory of the lighting: my parents' house, indoors, winter light with a bit of weak artificial light; a room that's always a little bit gloomy.

Oh dear. And, considering I normally shoot Foma200 at 100, this felt like a tall order. Cue guesswork and DD-X. I took a shot at 9 mins, and look what I got:

Really amazed at what a good film Foma200 is. Terribly curly and difficult to spool, but just lovely to look at. Was expecting so much more grain than this ...

Who knows, maybe it'll be come my film of choice for indoor shots.

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Oh, I should probably add: 120 in my trusty Bronica s2a. I think the expressions in the shots below are probably a reaction to the incredibly loud shutter ...

My nephew, by the way.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Tim,

Excellent Images!

I tried Arista Edu 400 (Fomapan 400) 120 format recently and I liked the images that I was getting. Unfortunately, the 200 was out of stock and is out until end of Feb.

thanks for sharing.

 

[Fotohuis]

All Fomapan films in roll film format are made on Blue Polyester so they curl a bit more. The way how it curls depends on the type of wetting agent and the drying up speed, so your % of humidity.

Fomapan Creative 200 (T200) is their best film for push results and indeed with a speed enhanced developer like DD-X, Microphen, Acu-1 etc. you can go till E.I. 800 with this nice film.

The Silver halide crystals are a mix of Hexagonal and standard Cubical type form. In fact this film is a mixture between a T grain type film and a regular film.

The 35mm version curls less due to the fact it's made on Tri-Acetate layer.

Best regards,

Robert

(Dutch Foma distributor)

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Thanks a lot guys! Robert, thanks for the info ... it's nice to know there's precedent for pushing it to 800. I might do it more often, esp. in 120 mm. The grain barely shows, even in a 100% crop. Lovely stuff.

Keep up the good work! And please keep making sure we can get Fomapan in England!

Best,

Tim

 

[charjohncarter]

All Fomapan films in roll film format are made on Blue Polyester so they curl a bit more. The way how it curls depends on the type of wetting agent and the drying up speed, so your % of humidity.

Fomapan Creative 200 (T200) is their best film for push results and indeed with a speed enhanced developer like DD-X, Microphen, Acu-1 etc. you can go till E.I. 800 with this nice film.

The Silver halide crystals are a mix of Hexagonal and standard Cubical type form. In fact this film is a mixture between a T grain type film and a regular film.

The 35mm version curls less due to the fact it's made on Tri-Acetate layer.

Best regards,

Robert

(Dutch Foma distributor)

Robert, anything on curling of the 4x5 Fomapan 400?

Thanks.

 

[Fotohuis]

The 120 roll films are made on 100um Polyester while the sheet films are made on 175um.

Maybe interesting to know that my Fotohuis is going to make my own film: T200 emulsion, pulled till iso 125 on CLEAR Polyester 100um layer with extra non-curling layer and an effective A.H. layer on the back side.

This film will be a direct competitor to FP4+ - PXP - etc. with an interesting price also due to the fact Ilford /Harman has a price increase in (W-) Europe of 20-30% this month.

Efke will do the packing: Each 135-36 or 120 roll film in a 5 pack. 120 roll film in foil, 35mm in a simple plastic container without labels etc.

 

[gian]

fomapan 400 -> 1600 with Rodinal 1+50... not to bad for a film with real ISO 250!

fomapan 400 -> 800 with Rodinal 1+50

much more on my flickr...

 

[maclaine]

fomapan 400 -> 1600 with Rodinal 1+50... not to bad for a film with real ISO 250!

fomapan 400 -> 800 with Rodinal 1+50

much more on my flickr...

I'd like to take a break from talking about Foma for just a second and recommend that EVERYONE check out his (I'm sorry I don't know your real name) Flickr page. I look at it regularly, as a matter of fact, and it's a constant source of inspiration.

OK, carry on. I'm really curious about this new slower film Robert mentioned, as I'm looking for a medium ISO black and white film to settle on. When will it be available?

 

[Fotohuis]

The specifications have to be put down in agreement with Bergger. The T200 emulsion on clear Polyester as sample will be available in a few weeks. Then Bergger, their French distributor and Fotohuis will test the film and put an order for several master rolls to Hradec Kralové.
When they are ready they wll be shipped to Croatia (Efke) for packing in 35mm perforated and 120 roll film, all on 100um.
When it will be ready they will be shipped back to France and then our part to Holland.

So it will be at least this Summer when the films will be available. Price setting: Eur. 2,30 - 2,60 which is approx. half priced then the new Ilford/Harman FP4+ price in the Netherlands.

Greetz,

Robert

(Away from APUG because this site is heavily sponsored by Harman/Ilford and the Rollei RPX 100/400 news and my Fotohuis FH-125 film seems to be a real thread to them, therefore blocked, all news removed etc. They react like North Korea or China when they do not like information in this way.)

 

[totifoto]

fomapan 400 -> 1600 with Rodinal 1+50... not to bad for a film with real ISO 250!



much more on my flickr...

Stunning contrast and grain!

Like it alot.

 

[oftheherd]

Those are really nice photos. I have never tried Fomapan, but maybe need to.

 

[Fotohuis]

Fomapan T200 on E.I. 160 in Para-Amino Phenol (Rodinal type/R09) and in Xtol (Ascorbic Acid type) developers:

http://gallery.fotohuisrovo.nl/thumbnails.php?album=5
and roll film:
http://gallery.fotohuisrovo.nl/thumbnails.php?album=12

 

[charjohncarter]

Robert, will the Western Hemishphere be able to purchase your film?

 

[Fotohuis]

It's a cooperation with Bergger in France and their distributor (Labo Argentique) so they are also present on the USA market and the film can be ordered under Bergger label. They will also launch a sheet film version on 175um in 4x5", 5x7" and 8x10" or even more variants.

Within a month I will receive a pre-liminary version from Foma. Then we will test the film and made the final specs.
In fact it's an improved T200 emulsion, slightly pulled (=less grain) and a bit more hardened then the standard T200 film emulsion which is pretty soft. Effective iso 125-160 in most developers. Clear Polyester layer, double non-curling layer and on the backside the A.H. layer seperately.
Efke will do the configuration, 120 roll film assembly and packing (package of 5 pcs.)

I think there is still a reasonable market for a better quality film, made on conventional film emulsion in this speed.

best regards,

Robert

 

[RFH]

Never trust anyone to tell you what's impossible. I read someone on another forum claiming with authority that Fomapan 400 was 'impossible' to push to 1600. Well, well. Here it is at 3200 (and I'm no darkroom genius):

 

[ki_]

Fomapan 400 […] Here it is at 3200 (and I'm no darkroom genius):

Can you tell us which developer and time/temperature?

 

[xayraa33]

Stunning contrast and grain!

Like it alot.

I agree 100% !

 

[emayoh]

Whoa, been a huge fan of sechsmalsechscom on Flickr for a while. Stunned and delighted to discover you here on RFF, gian! Kudos!

And excellent results Tim. Inspiring work here!

 

[johannielscom]

Good news on that FH125 film, Robert!

What developer would you recommend, any suggestions on using Rodinal and D76?