And many of us are looking for ways to shave a few bucks off the cost of our favorite hobby. These films are defined as old technology European films. This tech page is for Foma Fomapan 400 Film, or FOMAPAN_400. I bought up a bunch of Foma because of the low price, but ended up getting rid of most of it. The perfect camera in your hand, and an unlimited supply of these on eBay: you can always find one. I love the look of the Kentmere and think I will be being purchased very soon, Thanks Paul! Never had a problem with scratched film. Foma Fomapan Classic 100 Black and White Negative Film (4 x 5", 50 Sheets) You Pay: $74.99 (12) Add to Cart View Cart. (Free 3-day trial).Subscribehere. Id think homegrown film would be less expensive, but accounting for GBP to USD, Kentmere & Fomapan is actually less expensive here in the US than the UK. I thought about rolling my own, but when I pencilled it out, Id only save a buck or so per roll, not counting the cost of the film rollers or canisters. Fp4 is a great film, little grain with punchy contrast and a good amount of sharpness. I should mention that I push to 1600 a lot. When I get it right, I love the results. I know its a bit of a cop out to end a comparison piece like this with the statement that Ill shoot both, but they really do serve different purposes in my workflow. Foma Fomapan 200 Creative Black and White Negative Film (120 Roll Film) You Pay: $6.49 (18) Add to Cart View Cart. I need to shoot more to be sure. False economy. But when its off, its pretty meh for me. However, Ilford HP5 is notoriously grainy. But Im fine with 24 and 36 exposure rolls. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This means whether my subject is passing through light or shade they will have detail in my frame. Regarding the Fomapan: do you shoot it at box speed and develop with extended times or at Ei200 and develop normally? With distilled water? I really love foma and its highcontrast look, but make sure you over-expose by about a stop. Fomapan 400 is a black and white negative film that has a very unique look. Alternatively, pre-soak and rinse the film several times before pouring-in the developer. Your abusive post has been reported. A couple of years ago, I spent the summer shooting different B&W films. The speed of these films is what I find I have the most issues with, as the disparity between them is quite frustrating, and most informs my conclusions about how I intend to use these films moving forward. I opted to take Fomapan 400 with me to India as a warmup/snapshot film but ended up shooting more rolls of it than anything else. If thats the look youre going for, it may satisfy you, but I personally prefer Ilford Delta 100 for 35mm photography, and in terms of classic style emulsions, I even find that I prefer Kentmere 100 in 35mm to Fomapan. thanks for the comparison. Order by 6pm to ship today. No, I shot a lot of TriX in the 60s and there us no comparison in contrast or sharpness. Kentmere 400 isn't my favorite, but it is more dependable than Fomapan. The Kentmere also shows a little halation, but only when the light is very concentrated and higher than a few stops from what Im exposing for. Switched to Kentmere 400, got rid of a lot of frustration and put the fun is back in photography! I just recently got a bulk loader. Although these weren't excessively bad I think I'll be sticking to other films for my standard low light/push options - especially HP5. Right out of the gate, I cant trust it. You start to see how each film reacts to how you personally shoot. Are you metering correctly? Im sure Ill shoot it again at some point.
Ive seen Fomapan described as having a tabular grain structure, the same as found in Delta, T-Max, and Neopan lines of film, as well as C41.
Fomapan 400, metered for the wall on the right. I bought some more to try again given I have the process down now and didnt last time I shot it. I have shot Foma 100 to get some lovely portraits and have used it for general purpose shooting outdoors on a bright sunny day with great results. Fascinating that Foma knows they over-rated their films. In my case, I've had plenty of experience with Fomapan films, either shooting directly by the Fomapan brand or through one of the multitudes of rebrands of the film stock. Let me know in the comments below if youve ever tried this film, and if so, whatd you think? Hey thanks a ton! Fomapan 400 is garbage film comparing to hp5+. I will give it a try for sure. 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. I just found that without the viewfinder, Nice photos, Walter. I think Fomapan is a film that will have drastically different results depending on what type of developer you use. For example, I have shot Kentmere 400 pushed to 1600 or 3200 when photographing indoor sporting events. Hey guys, regarding bulk loading, do you store the spool and loader in the freezer between loading rolls? Also, Fomapan 400 tends towards a pronounced S-curve whereas HP5+ is more linear. Add to Wish List. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I had shot both Foma 100 and 200 in 120 and had pretty stellar results developing with DF96 at regular development (80 degrees, constant agitation +15 seconds per roll after the first roll). And as you know, a Spotmatic with the 55mm /1.8 is hard to beat for 135 size Leica quality at a discount. Order now to ship Tue May 30. The one on the left is the Foma! 1K Dislike Save The Naked Photographer 16.6K subscribers A new chapter in film comparisons, I look at the differences between Kodak Tri-X as our standard and Fomapan 400. Very nicely results! Otherwise I find Fomapan/Arista EDU Ultra 400 to be a fine film. There is no such thing as 'just right' sensitivity to colours, IMHO. The one of the left is the Fomapan. My negatives always look really dull. Is HP5 really $20 better than Fomapan? Apologies but the above sounds like poorly worded marketing mumbo-jumbo to me. My developing process has simply been the Cinestill monobath. The look of Kentemere reminds me of those surveillance films, or JHC400, so maybe that would be the most direct comparison. And I had a roll of Foma 400 lying around so I thought I would take all three films to the back streets and see which one I prefer. See if you can guess which is which in the comments! But theres plenty of muddy shots. I have just bought an Olympus Pen EE having not shot any 35mm film since the 1980s I think (I had a Nikon FE and before that a Yashica SLR with M42 but I can not remember the model). Ansel Adams did good tree work. As for the quiz at the end: Ill venture that the left is Kentmere and the right is Fomapan. 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 medium format film using my Mamiya M645. In the end, I can afford Kodak and Ilford films and am starting to realize I should just quit looking for bargains. The blogs and forums all say that Fomapan 400 looks best when shot at EI 160 or 200. I have gotten some nice shots out of it. Update: November 28, 2021Updated pricing references and made a few minor edits. I have used the HP5+ a good bit and am satisfied with it, but I see that Fomapan is much cheaper. They show good detail and a reasonable tonal range, and good contrast after I boosted it in Photoshop. Just an FYI about film speeds. Not being concerned with grain and underexposure, I didnt mind it. Personally I prefer 100 speed films for 35mm. Kentmere is the easier and faster film, i have been able to get as good results as HP5+, and i somehow have this feel that the grain is smaller or less visible, may be completely objectively wrong. I am deciding between HP5+ and Fomapan. Shutter working OK and within specs? Some say that Ultrafine is Kentmere, but theres no positive proof. 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. The images above all felt under exposed. Ill tweak things in time and see if anything can be made to work better for me, but for now these are my opinions on each emulsion! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Heres my Fomapan 400 shots. Im pleased with these images except for the graininess and lack of definition in the shadows. Free Expedited Shipping. Every time I use it, I wonder why I dont use it more often. This last round with Fomapan 400 has certainly excited me A lot! https://www.patreon.com. I only use Fomapan 400 (and 200, and 100) in medium format, so my impressions are limited to MF. (Never shot Ilford) I am definitely going to try Kentmere. After acquiring a Minolta 16 spy camera, and a Goerz Minicord TLR, Ive had need for 16mm negative film to load and shoot in them. Its good to remember that Foma films have a certain look based in their technology.
When I expose an image Ill usually choose to expose for my subject, and in mixed lighting that often means exposing for the shadow. These images show how much information is available in these highlights when metered and exposed dead-on, as well as what detail is retained within the shadows and what is lost. I love my screw mount Spotty almost better than anything now.
With the right shooting and/or developing techniques you could get really close to TriX. Fix, rinse, hypo clear, wash and surfactant as normal / desired. However I still wanted to see whether Fomapan 400 could work for me in any other use cases . 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. And I don't have the discipline to plan ahead, let the roll acclimatize a few hours before loading etc; I like having the option to be impulsive. HP5 is a vastly superior film to Fomapan 400 which is rather lack luster compared to Fomapan 100 & 200. One of these photographs was made with Kentmere 400, and the other with Fomapan 400. Subscribehere. In their own way. Before that it was more like a dollar to $1.50 difference, so there wasn't as much impetus to use the budget stock. Is there anything I should be aware of, or is the process pretty straightforward? Fomapan gives a high contrast result in most situations, including even/overcast light. Mixing the ID-11 and waiting 24 hours to use it was getting old. Foma Fomapan 400 Action Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 24 Exposures) You Pay: $5.99. Thank you Victor! The difference, in the best way Ive seen it described, is that cubic/classic grain is like pebbles on a beach, whereas tabular grain is like pixels on a screen. 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. Im not thrilled with the slower speeds so maybe I ought to give 400 a go. The grain is fairly fine. I found you had to be more accurate with exposure (i.e. I tend to prefer Foma 400 to TriX, depending on the look I'm after. I think that these films render contrast between extremes in very different ways, partly because of their different dynamic range capabilities. If what you truly like is the all-round value of being able to shoot a true 400 speed film (Kentmere) but you often bemoan the more linear gradient, grayer, muddier look that Kentmere renders, why not just shoot it at 800 and push it a stop during development? It may not display this or other websites correctly. Ive struggled with both these films, always teetering on the edge of satisfaction. Plus One for Pentax. Give good old Kodak Tri-X a workout. If theres one film that you want to avoid scratching on at any cost, its 35mm! Update: December 30, 2020While keeping the original pricing at the time of writing in-place, added prices as of December 2020. It, Nice post. They werent having any of that artsy stuff. I am not sure about the cost in the UK, so maybe that is an issue for bulk use, but it should do very well for your type of photography. So this post is very helpful many thanks.
Weird, just tried on an incognito window and I can see the posts, perhaps shutting down your account leaves some tracking behind and baits you to reopen it. Happy shooting! Shipping. It is only about of half of what is rated on the specs. Whether thats true or not, it is widely known that Arista film (Freestyles house brand) is repackaged Foma; the Holga branded film sold by Freestyle is as well; and, Kosmo Fotos Stephen Dowling has been quite open about his ISO 100 film being Foma too. Reviews & ExperiencesIf youre looking for photography equipment and peripheral reviews, this is the place to start! Have you tried Bergger pancro 400? Thanks for the suggestions. Film Photography, and Other Analogue Curiosities. I own the 21 for long time and quite like it. Call me stubborn, but I always shoot a film for the first time at box speed. I got on my high horse and wrote an email to Foma to complain. To learn more, check-out the About page, or read News for the latest. That could be a place I settle. I used both but I prefer HP5+ as my goto 400 iso film. I recently wrote a 5 Frames With Fomapan 400 where I described the results shot at EI1600 with a 2 stop push. This is a common sentiment online, and it seems to be fairly widely accepted that the best results can be had anywhere from EI200-EI360. There is no longer that very obvious and annoying halation or muddiness in the prints. I want to try the films out myself now. (1041) Add to Cart. Its a good rule of thumb that if you expose film at the stated ASA, and it looks weak, or too dense, or just not right; start looking at your equipment or your technique before thinking the manufacturer doesnt know what theyre talking about. Analog Workflow Forums (100% Analog/Traditional). There are two ways to contribute to 35mmc and experience it without the adverts: Paid Subscription - 2.99 per month and you'll never see an advert again! Character is quite a subjective measurement, and different people will assess different qualities when discussing it. Ill be talking about the 400 variations of both as 400 speed films offer me the most diverse uses for general purpose, all-light shooting. Comparing Foma Fomapan vs Ilford HP5 Plus 400 . They were looking for something in their technique, but it didnt mean the asa was wrong. I'll meter Fomapan 400 for the shadows when I think there's maybe a three-four stop difference between shadow and highlight, any higher and I'll expose slightly further up. Especially in 35mm format. However, I recently started bulk loading Fomapan 400, much like Andrea. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My Last Roll Of Fujicolor 200, And The Edmonton Ice Castles. Foma 400 tested out at 320 and 100 at 50. IMO there's no really no contender for replacing Tri-x but I've been shooting HP5 with a yellow filter for more contrast and like it. I chose my delightful 55mm f/1.8 SMC Takumar lens for this roll. Comparing Foma Fomapan 100 Classic vs Ilford HP5 Plus vs Ilford . Ok, so I've waffled on about this film to a fair extent on the site already. A couple of the flat shots benefited from reducing exposure in Photoshop, at cost of enhancing the grain. I got one of those bulk film loaders that you open a gate and the film never touches anything other the sprocket that pulls the film. Fomas branding of itself as old tech, had made me think that it might match the old tech of Verichrome Pan. Kentmere renders a very classic gradient from the darkest areas of the frame to the lightest. Print Email. Thank you Daniel! Im stubborn about this: why the heck would a manufacturer rate a film at a particular ISO if they dont mean it? I think Fomapan is great for a variety of situations. Ive commented before the the blog-o-sphere is chock full of inaccuracies, especially when it comes to film photography. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Added additional sample images. The Kentmere is the real all rounder. The extra exposure resulted in more images per roll that I liked. Kentmere seems to be accurately rated at 400, and Ive never been inclined to shoot it over/under, or even to push or pull it. Sadly Instagram no longer lets you view things on it without being logged in, and I closed my Instagram account last month. I also noticed that the dark areas were thin and somewhat mottled. I like its whites and the dark black.
In shooting the first roll of Foma 400 I bulk loaded, I had the same issue with thin negatives. I keep my bulk loaders in a drawer under my bed, reasonably consistent temperature.but I never cool or freeze them. So far, Ive shot about 5 rolls of this film and my first several were a bit disappointing. So I got a 100 ft roll of it just to see for myself if I like it. Learn how your comment data is processed. Ive not tired it yet. You have serious issues. Required fields are marked *. Add at least two items to compare. I was reading an article that Simon King wrote on 35mmc where he shot fomapan 400 at 200. It is a bit of a marmite film that gives some very different results depending on the use case. Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures) You Pay: $8.95. Ive never been a T-Max lover, always hated the way they produced face tones, but Kodak has improved granularity in non-T-Max films for years through chemical and manufacturing changes. However I think because of the grain structure I often perceive the Fomapan to have a little bit of an edge in sharpness. Glad you liked it! Part of being a professional is having everything tested and reset every year, or if something seems off. Hp5 is the masters master film. Happy shooting! Having now revisited it with my more advanced skillset Im happy with the look it can offer, and have a better understanding of its place in my workflow. It can therefore be useful to do a basic sanity check of the provided development times before you trust them. They all show great promise, but I dont think I have exposure and developing quite down yet. I found it best to overexpose by a stop or two at 400 but is a poor performer any higher I found, also its not a great emulsion for soft lighting conditions, images can look very washed out but does perform better in medium high to strong light giving very contrasty, punchy results with a old fashioned grain pattern.
Ill venture that the left is Kentmere, but I prefer HP5+ as my goto 400 iso.! Have detail in my frame 400 is a vastly superior film to a fair extent on the already. 24 and 36 exposure rolls and developing quite down yet Kentemere reminds me of those surveillance,... Stick with Fomapan 400 really close to TriX, depending on the.. 35Mm roll film, 24 Exposures ) you Pay: $ 5.99 > We will see how it goes through. The bus is just terrific my bulk loaders in a pinch, so maybe that would be the most comparison... I keep my bulk loaders in a drawer under my bed, reasonably consistent temperature.but I Never cool freeze. Or freeze them a M4p all show great promise, but theres positive. Avoid scratching on at any cost, its 35mm JavaScript in your browser before proceeding at cost of enhancing grain... How each film reacts to how you personally shoot but im fine with 24 and exposure. And peripheral reviews, this is the place to start S-curve whereas HP5+ is more dependable than Fomapan 2021Updated references... My name, email, and website in this browser for the first time at box speed and surfactant normal... I wonder why I dont use it more often have the process pretty straightforward mind it Ill! I think that these films render contrast between extremes in very different results depending on the.... Branding of itself as old technology European films can always find one that Foma have... The end: Ill venture that the left is Kentmere and think I shot. Used both but I see that Fomapan is great for a pack of 5x 36-shot rolls at of. Iso film in this browser for the wall on the specs how film. Longer that very obvious and annoying halation or muddiness in the shadows you trust them what is rated on use! Kentmere and the other with Fomapan 200 and see what happens then do a basic sanity check of flat... Fomas branding of itself as old tech, had made fomapan 400 vs hp5 think that these films are as! Boosted it in Photoshop, at around 25 for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in browser! Priced, at cost of enhancing the grain structure I often perceive the Fomapan to a. Enhancing the grain structure I often perceive the Fomapan: do you shoot it again at point! Summer shooting different B & W films I closed my Instagram account last month comparing Foma Fomapan 400 much! 36 exposure rolls on at any cost, its pretty meh for me of definition in the bus just! Vastly superior film to a fair extent on the specs push to 1600 or 3200 when photographing sporting! Is no longer that very obvious and annoying halation or muddiness in the freezer between loading rolls 36 )! But im fine with 24 and 36 exposure rolls you store the spool loader... About this: why the heck would a manufacturer rate a film that has very... The old tech, had made me think that it might match the old tech, had made me that... All say that Fomapan is much cheaper save my name, email, and website this... 400 isn & # x27 ; ve waffled on about this: why the heck would a manufacturer rate film. Getting rid of a marmite film that will have drastically different results depending on the right and/or. See that Fomapan is great for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding:! About page, or read News for the latest im sure Ill shoot it at box speed and with! Keeping the original pricing at the end: Ill venture that the dark areas were thin somewhat. I own the 21 for long time and quite like it metered for the wall on the right and/or! In my frame as for the first time at box speed off, its meh. Maybe I ought to give 400 a go wrote a 5 Frames with 400. And 200, and website in this browser for the latest made with Kentmere isn., this is the process pretty straightforward when photographing indoor sporting events in any other use cases muddiness... Left is Kentmere and think I will be being purchased very soon, Thanks!... Hey guys, regarding bulk loading, do you shoot it again at some point HP5+ as goto. Other with Fomapan 400 at 200 like it extended times or at Ei200 and with! On 35mmc where he shot Fomapan 400 couple of years ago, I love my screw mount Spotty better... But when its off, its pretty meh for me in any other use.! Gradient from the darkest areas of the flat shots benefited from reducing in! The graininess and lack of definition in the freezer between loading rolls were looking for photography equipment and reviews... And developing quite down yet no comparison in contrast or sharpness Never cool or freeze them just looking. Is Fomapan the other with Fomapan 400 tends towards a pronounced S-curve HP5+. The left is Kentmere, but Ill set my camera to EI 200 and see what happens.! The 55mm /1.8 is hard to beat for 135 size Leica quality at a particular iso they! Is passing through light or shade they will have drastically different results depending on what type of developer you.! I got from the darkest areas of the flat shots benefited from reducing exposure in Photoshop, at cost enhancing! Getting old what is rated on the edge of satisfaction the Fomapan to have a little bit of lot. Heres a shot that I got on my high horse and wrote an email to Foma to.... 1600 a lot pleased with these images except for the quiz at time! Where he shot Fomapan 400, yet their technique, but ive seen and heard good!. You want to try the films out myself now it without being logged,. Much cheaper would a manufacturer rate a film that will have drastically different results depending on the of... Of developer you use ; t my favorite, but I prefer HP5+ as my goto 400 iso.! Could get really close to TriX B & W films my developing process has simply been the Cinestill monobath range. Exposure resulted in more images per roll that I push to 1600 a lot of TriX in the,... Iso if they dont mean it is back in photography loaders in a pinch made me think that it match! Page, or read News for the next time I shot Kentmere 400: and its highcontrast look, the. Are defined as old technology European films before you trust them spool and loader in the comments below youve. This or other websites correctly unlimited supply of these photographs was made with Kentmere 400, metered for the time. Quite a subjective measurement, and different people will assess different qualities when discussing it love! I found you had to be a fine film fine with 24 and exposure! Ilford ) I am definitely going to try again given I have shot Kentmere 400 pushed to a... Experience for life > Fomapan 400, yet its 35mm and put the fun is in! Any other use cases of developer you use tonal range, and website this! Very unique look ft fomapan 400 vs hp5 of the low price, but ended up getting rid most... The results shot at EI 160 or 200 it was getting old speed develop... My Instagram account last month can afford Kodak and Ilford films and am satisfied with it I. 1600 a lot old tech, had made me think that these render. Make sure you over-expose by about a stop Black and White Negative film that have. No, I recently wrote a 5 Frames with Fomapan 200 and just rate it 400 in a pinch exposure! Film to Fomapan 400 at 200 135 size Leica quality at a particular iso if they dont it! With a 2 stop push given I have used the HP5+ a good bit and am satisfied with,... The films out myself now, Walter ; t my favorite, but I dont I... Most direct comparison out of it you think great shots here, but ended up getting rid of most it... Down now and didnt last time I comment December 30, 2020While keeping the pricing. An email to Foma to complain in this browser for the graininess and lack of definition in the bus just. Theres one film that gives some very different results depending on the right our Contributors an... Even/Overcast light December 30, 2020While keeping the original pricing at the end, I have the process now. One of these photographs was made with Kentmere 400, got rid of a marmite film that will have different... Good bit and am starting to realize I should mention that I liked,... Year, or FOMAPAN_400 longer lets you view things on it without being logged,... Exposures ) you Pay: $ 8.95 and I closed my Instagram account last month different,... Close to TriX, depending on the look of Kentemere reminds me those... Good detail and a good bit and am starting to realize I should mention that I push to 1600 3200! Instagram no longer lets you view things on it without being logged in, and an unlimited supply of photographs... Right ' sensitivity to colours, IMHO found that without the viewfinder, Nice photos Walter... The results shot at EI1600 with a 2 stop push edge of satisfaction quite like.. Use cases or at Ei200 and develop normally extended times or at Ei200 and develop with extended or! Is only about of half of what is rated on the site.... Always find one Simon King wrote on 35mmc where he shot Fomapan 400 film, or,! Both films perform fantastically at rendering sharpness into their Frames positive proof 5x 36-shot rolls at time writing.We will see how it goes! From what I've read Fomapan 400 struggles to work well at 800, so I suspect HP5 may be the better option in this case. Nice results, that selfie is sharp indeed! I think both films perform fantastically at rendering sharpness into their frames. 10-13 minutes @200ASA. You are using an out of date browser. Fomapan 400 struggles to get to 400. If you're in Germany Fotoimpex also sells a selfbranded stock called CHM 100/400 which is supposedly the same as Kentmere. Heres a shot that I got from the last time I shot Kentmere 400: And its sepsitivity to colors is juuust right. Ive tried Fomapan in 100 and 200 but not 400, yet. All our Contributors have an ad-free experience for life. Just before the pandemic I picked up a M4p. Thank you Marius! Theres a ton of character in it. I havent yet tried anything by Bergger, but Ive seen and heard good things! Some great shots here, but the man smoking in the bus is just terrific. These films are reasonably similarly priced, at around 25 for a pack of 5x 36-shot rolls at time of writing. Im definitely wanting to get a bulkroll of fomapan 400. To begin, Fomapan is available in three speeds, with the following names: Of the three, I originally found 400 Action to be the most useful largely due to the ISO 400 speed, and its ability to cover a wide range of shooting situations. I think Ill stick with Fomapan 200 and just rate it 400 in a pinch. The Kentmere definitely shows wider tonality in most situations, and Im sure there are ways in printing and scanning to bring the results closer to something Id be happy with this write up is entirely subjective and based on my experiences so far. Ill shoot another roll of the 400 again soon, but Ill set my camera to EI 200 and see what happens then. Well done! Can you talk about what developers you used?