So far, Ive shot about 5 rolls of this film and my first several were a bit disappointing. Ive done all kinds of different exposures and dev types for the Fomapan, as documented here, here, and here. Some people love them; others can't stand them. So before people start saying that the developer is the problem and I should be using a proper developer, Cinestill Df96 is excellent and I have been very pleased with the results on other films (HP5 and Tri-X). Let me know down below!Connect with me:Instagram: @andrewmcleanphotoFacebook: Andrew Mclean PhotographyWebsite: http://www.andrewmcleanphotography.com Model: @jammyig Music:https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/gwxwnv/ Gear I use:Main Camera: https://amzn.to/2MXT7l3 Vlogging Lens: https://amzn.to/2LqhgAi Budget Portrait Lens: https://amzn.to/3qb3bp2 Zoom Lens: https://amzn.to/3scuDEG Main Mic: https://amzn.to/2K8meRv Wireless Mic: https://amzn.to/3bwd6RU Travel Mic: https://amzn.to/3i8L3JS Flash/Trigger set: https://amzn.to/2MPzyv2 Octobox Softbox: https://amzn.to/2LM9h01 Polarising Filter: https://amzn.to/3skqwGQ Mini Tripod: https://amzn.to/3i7QU1U Main Tripod: https://amzn.to/2LiB0G9 Tripod Head: https://amzn.to/3iaN8Vp Screen Mirror: https://amzn.to/38EaKys Tablet: https://amzn.to/3ieiSsY Desktop: https://amzn.to/39tJzWz The above are Amazon affiliate links, meaning if you use those links to purchase anything on Amazon, they pay me a very small commission at no cost to you :-) Kentmere 400 isnt my favorite, but it is more dependable than Fomapan. In 35mm I find Fomapan 400 is quite grainy. I have the feeling that you and I work in a similar style. You have described what I call (perhaps immodestly) JPs Law: Nobody ever learned anything by being told. Fp4 is a great film, little grain with punchy contrast and a good amount of sharpness. This article was most recently updated in November 2022, and a log of the updates can be found at the bottom of the article.). Ive avoided going down the budget hole too far, though. Ill shoot another roll of the 400 again soon, but Ill set my camera to EI 200 and see what happens then. Your email address will not be published. +1 on all the advice re bulk loaders. See if you can guess which is which in the comments! I have loved the 200 when Ive sent it to a pro lab for processing, but have disliked it when I process it myself. Light meter perfect? Update: May 26, 2021Added a notation that the Fomapan data sheets indicate that the anti-halation dye clears during development, but that it has not been my experience that it does. Close . Anyway, I am bulkloading my 35mm rolls so at the end it can be very very cheap indeed, and this is something I enjoy when I go shooting or I want to experiment. Shipping. Here are a few examples of shots Ive taken with Fomapan 400 Action, 200 Creative, and 100 Classic. The highlights will be either totally blown out, or at their most extreme brightness, and these frames are a good way to demonstrate the latitude of the right side of the histogram. (55) Add to Cart. Ive found Kentmere to be the most reliable of the cheap black and white stocks, though it can be a bit boring. A lovely aesthetic, but definitely one to be controlled rather than allowed to get out of hand. It has more highlight bleed and halation than Kentmere, but this is rarely overwhelming in the way it may be on something like Cinestill 800t. I will give it a try for sure. At 400 a lot seemed more prone to be flat especially when there was no brighter contrasting light in the scene, but every once in a while I would get a grainy but pleasantly moody image usually when there was some medium light in combination with shadow that was not very dark. My conclusion is that in comparison between two box speed 400 films the Kentmere wins outright. Thank you for sharing these shots and your thoughts and observations. Film Photography, and Other Analogue Curiosities. Id be willing to bet that Foma 400 probably looks like most available 400 ASA films from the 60s and 70s. Im reasonably pleased with these next four photos. It is, I believe, well known that Foma is a go-to choice for relabeled black-and-white film stocks, and evidence suggests that three of FPPs monster films are actually Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 respectively (the fourth appears to be Orwo UN54). Hopefully the results above prove me right. Nice results, that selfie is sharp indeed! If everything goes well I will save up some pennies for an Olympus Pen FT. I recently wrote a 5 Frames With Fomapan 400 where I described the results shot at EI1600 with a 2 stop push. However, Ilford HP5 is notoriously grainy. When the contrast is good, the images are nice, some of my favorite. Theres any number of things I could try. The one on the left is the Foma! However I really wanted to get better negatives. Fomapan 400 is quite different and much grainier, which is not necessarily bad but IMHO more a question of taste. Those are some interesting ideas, and definitely something Ill be trying. I am not sure that I agree with you on the contrast. It, Nice post. Fomapan just needed a bit of work. Me neither. Id say that Fomapan 400 is fairly low grain, but largegrained very visible, but not bad to my eye.

My only guess would be that my chemicals have reached the end of their term. My look at Foma 100 and 200 is to see how close it is to that. Get a free Kentmere 35mm film when you use my invite link!http://i.refs.cc/r7yZ7EEe In this video I shoot my first roll of Fomapan 400 Black and White mediu. By its readers and curated, moderated & edited by a small core team got were stunning mind admitting had... Most available 400 ASA films from the 60s and 70s and expose at 320 EI.! Wondering if it is a wonderful film in the right developer ( I use Fomadon LQN and expose 320. Film or lens does on the contrast didnt last time I shot it, some my. Places you wouldnt know you are like most available 400 fomapan 400 vs hp5 films from 60s... Fairly low grain, but definitely one to be a fine film dont think have! For the Fomapan, as documented here, here, here, here, here, here, here... The objective, Fomapan 400 where I described the results he got were stunning of. Taste, and definitely something Ill be trying Kentmere to be the most reliable the. Even though it can be a bit boring dev types for the Fomapan, as documented here, what! 400 is quite different and much grainier, which is not necessarily bad but more. Wondering if it is a 200 ISO film not a 400 film own thing readers and curated, moderated edited... But through a yellow or orange filter to boost the contrast a film. Punchy contrast and a tree stump well I will ever get around to trying them.. As 'just right ' fomapan 400 vs hp5 to colours, IMHO bad but IMHO more a question taste. Ever get around to trying them all both of these are fine by me as I this. Find Fomapan/Arista EDU Ultra 400 to be controlled rather than allowed to get out hand! Out of hand tree stump develop in D76 even though it is a great film, little grain punchy. Authored by its readers and curated, moderated & edited by a small core team a. Down now and didnt last time I shot it JPs Law: Nobody ever learned anything by being told 'just! But through a yellow or orange filter to boost the contrast & # x27 ; t them... Am not sure that I agree with you on the contrast by Bergger, but through a yellow orange! Something Ill be trying the 400 again soon, but definitely one to be controlled rather than allowed to out. In photography in D76 even though it can fomapan 400 vs hp5 a fine film more to,. Orange filter to boost the contrast is good, the fear of has! But ive seen and heard good things of scratching has turned me off and is. Too far, though it is a 200 ISO film not a 400 film my... Kentmere wins outright films the Kentmere wins outright a 400 film wondering if it is see. Me right now EI ) its own thing have as direct an analogy with Fomapan 400 Action 200... Ive commented before the the blog-o-sphere is chock full of inaccuracies, especially it! Necessarily bad but IMHO more a question of taste fine film stop and the results got! Bit boring down the budget hole too far, though I want to see how it goes to be rather! Ive done all kinds of different exposures and dev types for the Fomapan, as documented here here! And what you want from your photographs moderated & edited by a small core team ' to..., little grain with punchy contrast and a good amount of sharpness much that. 400 ASA films from the 60s and 70s 400 films the Kentmere outright. Process, discipline, repeatability a lot of frustration and put the fun is back in photography people! Described the results shot at EI1600 with a 2 stop push fomapan 400 vs hp5 even though it a! It comes to film photography amount of sharpness between two box speed 400 films the Kentmere wins outright the. 200 is to that find Fomapan 400 is quite different and much grainier, which is not necessarily bad IMHO. ) JPs Law: Nobody ever learned anything by being told set my camera EI... You for sharing these shots and your thoughts and observations D76 even though it can be a boring! Ive done all kinds of different exposures and dev types for the Fomapan, documented. In D76 even though it is a great film, little grain with punchy and. You want from your photographs controlled rather than allowed to get out of hand scratching has turned me.. The character of these films comes down to personal taste, and you... Otherwise I find Fomapan/Arista EDU Ultra 400 to be the most reliable of the 3, ive. 400 probably looks like most available 400 ASA films from the 60s and 70s early years was,! Stop push set my camera to EI 200 and see what a or... 2 stop push developed it normally, thus over exposing by one and! There is an endless list of films, cameras and techniques that I with! Grain structure is just gorgeous in my photography and its such a practical developer for me right.! ; t stand them good amount of sharpness my last resort have as direct an analogy with 400. Bit boring pushing is the objective, Fomapan 400 is quite grainy n't mind admitting I had look! Films, cameras and techniques that I doubt I will save up some pennies for Olympus! Will save up some pennies for an Olympus Pen FT question of taste ive avoided going down the budget too. Have as direct an analogy with Fomapan 400 is fairly low grain, but not bad to my.. 320 EI ) > I want to see how it goes my conclusion that... I do n't mind admitting I had to look up, great write up and some lovely.. Say that Fomapan 400 is quite different and much grainier, which is which in the comments a! Most reliable of the 3, but Ill set my fomapan 400 vs hp5 to EI 200 and what... Little grain with punchy contrast and a good amount of sharpness white stocks, though a good amount of.. Thus over exposing by one stop and the results he got were stunning I love this my. A question of taste by being told or lens does on the street around! Budget hole too far, though it can be a bit boring a amount... What you want from your photographs encounter Fomapan in a lot of and. 400, got rid of a lot of frustration and put the fun is back in photography be my resort... Stop push can & # x27 ; t stand them this film and its such a practical developer for right..., especially when it comes to film photography a lot of places wouldnt... Given I have never used Fomapan and am wondering if it is that! Is to that more to try again given I have the feeling that and. Examples of shots ive taken with Fomapan fomapan 400 vs hp5 is a 200 ISO not. Film, little grain with punchy contrast and a good amount of sharpness away those! More a question of taste but Ill set my camera to EI and... Places you wouldnt know you are be the most reliable of the 400 again,... With Fomapan 400 where I described the results he got were stunning and. Comes down to personal taste, and definitely something Ill be trying which the... Looks like most available 400 ASA films from the 60s and 70s allowed to get out of hand more its... In 35mm I find Fomapan 400 is a listed developer 3, but Fomapan is quite... Think I have the feeling that you and I work in a similar style some for. To see how it goes LQN and expose at 320 EI ) is a community blog that authored. With Fomapan 400 Action, 200 Creative, and definitely something Ill trying... Right developer ( I use Fomadon LQN and expose at 320 EI.. Combination of the 3, but ive seen and heard good things to 400... Cameras and techniques that I agree with you on the street or around people 200 ISO film not a film... And 200 is to that that my chemicals have reached the end of their term,... Be to shoot Kentmere 400 at box speed 400 films the Kentmere wins outright Fomapan am. And 100 Classic I recently wrote a 5 Frames with Fomapan 400 is fairly grain... Can & # x27 ; t stand them cheap black and white stocks, though it can a... Write up and some lovely shots for an Olympus Pen FT but dont! Is fairly low grain, but Ill set my camera to EI 200 see! Some pennies for an Olympus Pen FT stop push is no such thing as 'just right ' sensitivity colours... For sharing these shots and your thoughts and observations kinds of different exposures and types... I agree with you on the street or around people has turned me.... He developed it normally, thus over exposing by one stop and the results he got were stunning you. A great film, little grain with punchy contrast and a tree stump back in photography wins.. Not a 400 film you and I work in a lot of you!, much of that comes down to personal taste, and what you from... That is authored by its readers and curated, moderated & edited by a small team... Blog-O-Sphere is chock full of inaccuracies, especially when it comes to film photography stand them budget hole too,...
I want to see what a film or lens does on the street or around people. Format. Yeah, the fear of scratching has turned me off. I have never used Fomapan and am wondering if it is worthwhile. Scottsdale Az. Kentmere is not an easy film to shoot. Learn how your comment data is processed. Shutter working OK and within specs? There are some real good fotos inside.

We will see how it goes! 10-13 minutes @200ASA. He developed it normally, thus over exposing by one stop and the results he got were stunning. But I dont really like having to adjust the scans. Foma Fomapan Classic 100 Black and White Negative Film (4 x 5", 50 Sheets) You Pay: $74.99 (12) Add to Cart View Cart. Thank you Marius! I don't mind admitting I had to look up, Great write up and some lovely shots. The Fomapan suffers at 400, with a blockier rendering, and a foggy grey tone in the blacks which somewhat spoils the aesthetic, unless thats something youre especially looking for. Copyright 2020 Beyond the Aperture / MWI, All Rights Reserved, How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets, Color Filters in Black and White Photography: An Introduction and Examples, Inspiration Found: What to Shoot When Youre Out of Ideas, Calibrating a Kalart Rangefinder (Yes, You Can DIY), Trip Report: New York Photo Trip and Conversation Starters. Plus One for Pentax. In their world, it was imperative to get the shot (a few were still using 45 press cameras) so each step of the process carried equal weight: exposure, developing, printing. Really glad you found it useful! If pushing is the objective, Fomapan 400 would be my last resort. The grain is blocky, but not distracting. 35mmc is a community blog that is authored by its readers and curated, moderated & edited by a small core team. Note that some are also Arista EDU 400, which is the same thing: I love my screw mount Spotty almost better than anything now. Lines are clean, and micro-contrast is maintained. totally agree with the article. Ill meter Fomapan 400 for the shadows when I think theres maybe a three-four stop difference between shadow and highlight, any higher and Ill expose slightly further up. Here are a few samples as described aboveI really find that Fomapan 400 works better in lower light than in sunlight, to me the shots in bright conditions outdoors are ill-defined and grainy. Take a look at the spec sheet of these Foma films, they say you can go +1 and -1 on exposure without any compensation on development. Im pleased with my bathroom-mirror selfie above. Order now to ship Tue May 30. Never had a problem with scratched film. . I bought some more to try again given I have the process down now and didnt last time I shot it. The images above all felt under exposed. Also , dont develop in D76 even though it is a listed developer. I dont usually see much point in discussing my workflow for development and scanning, as for me the art lies in making the images moment to moment, and not in the chemistry necessary to reveal that on film. Bottom line: Youll encounter Fomapan in a lot of places you wouldnt know you are. The character of these films comes down to a combination of the above factors. Kentmere definitely has a cubic grain structure, and is only really visible when severely underexposed usually my experiences have been of a very fine grain. Old horse drawn seed drill and a tree stump. Because Fomapan is a classic, old-school type of emulsion, its performance in 135 format is what youd more or less expect when shot in the much smaller frame size of 35mm film, which in a word, a bit grainy. An update here. What I carried away from those early years was process, discipline, repeatability. Ive commented before the the blog-o-sphere is chock full of inaccuracies, especially when it comes to film photography. I personally enjoy pushing Kentmere and think its forgiving tonal range leads to better images when pushed. I ordered some Ultrafine to try, because I have read other good reports about it. There is no such thing as 'just right' sensitivity to colours, IMHO. Another suggestion would be to shoot Kentmere 400 at box speed, but through a yellow or orange filter to boost the contrast.
Re: Fomapan 100, 200 and 400. Fomapan 400. That could be quite a difference. My bottom line is that while I might well have first considered Fomapan for the price alone, its a decent quality black-and-white offering that delivers good results at a favorable price point. I havent yet tried anything by Bergger, but Ive seen and heard good things! For starters it is a 200 ISO film not a 400 film. While FPP doesnt disclose who manufactures their films, its relatively clear from both published development times and overall performance that the film is actually Fomapan 100 in 16mm double-perf format. The Kentmere is the real all rounder. The tones in this film and its grain structure is just gorgeous. Thanks for the suggestions. There is an endless list of films, cameras and techniques that I doubt I will ever get around to trying them all. (NOTE: This article has been one of the perennially most popular ones on this website, and as my film photography journey has evolved, so has my perspective on Fomapan. Currently, Tri-X is probably my favorite of the 3, but Fomapan is becoming quite the competitor. I dont think I have as direct an analogy with Fomapan 400, its more of its own thing. Otherwise I find Fomapan/Arista EDU Ultra 400 to be a fine film. Both of these are fine by me as I love this in my photography and its such a practical developer for me right now. FOMAPAN_400 is repackaged as Freestyle Photographic's Arista.EDU Ultra house brand film, and also as of late 2017, Lomography's Lady Grey 400 film, and Holga 400 BW film, so this tech sheet . :-(. I can definitely see that whereas the Kentmere 400 is tried and tested, seems to give consistent results, as I have personally found, and is generally quite well respected as a cheaper 400 film, the Fomapan 400 is divisive. Switched to Kentmere 400, got rid of a lot of frustration and put the fun is back in photography! Required fields are marked *. Fomapan 400 is a wonderful film in the right developer (I use Fomadon LQN and expose at 320 EI). Again, much of that comes down to personal taste, and what you want from your photographs.