Ive shot Tri-X before, but my preference is HP5+! These films are defined as old technology European films. Fomapan is among the first 3 black and white films Ive shot so far; Ilford HP5, Kodak Tri-X and Fomapan 400. Makes people look sick, makes scenes look unrealistic with a sickening overall paleness that I cant stand. 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. Ive read more wrong stuff on the internet, that seems to be supported by others parroting the wrong stuff, until it seems like its the correct info! Id like to be able to shoot 400 speed films either dead on as much as possible, and to use the latitude when in tricky situations to go slightly under when necessary. Now that I look at it again, I agree, Night Depository could use a touch more contrast. No film with extra red sensitivity is good for portraits, except for black people/skin. 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. It does get tiring. The negatives actually looked like negatives and not a clear strip with faint images. Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures) You Pay: $8.95. Fomapan gives a high contrast result in most situations, including even/overcast light. Format. Actually, it seams to have a more pleasant contrast than Foma 400. I feel that maybe I could take the developer to even 90 as some of the images still look a bit underexposed. Many of them think their way is the only way. Is HP5 really $20 better than Fomapan? Looking at B&H, Kentmere 400 is about three dollars less than either HP5 or Tri-X, which is pretty significant. Photography & ProjectsLooking for some inspiration, or just want to flick through the project work and photos? I personally think the grain and contrast is much better.
Your email address will not be published. Ive never tried pulling this film stock maybe Ill try at some point. Fomas branding of itself as old tech, had made me think that it might match the old tech of Verichrome Pan. 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? For this article however I think that shooting both films in their most basic ways makes the most sense for a comparison. For starters it is a 200 ISO film not a 400 film. Although these weren't excessively bad I think I'll be sticking to other films for my standard low light/push options - especially HP5. While I do like HP5 and Tri-X, for me it is nice to have a more budget stock. Again, it is actually a 100 film and not a 200, but I like it better but it is not close to being in the same league as Kodak films by any stretch of the imagination. Simon, nice job! However I think because of the grain structure I often perceive the Fomapan to have a little bit of an edge in sharpness. There is no such thing as 'just right' sensitivity to colours, IMHO. His personal blog can be found at: streetdances.wordpress.com. A lovely aesthetic, but definitely one to be controlled rather than allowed to get out of hand. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Adjusting in Photoshop via the auto tone function seems to correct it. I like to learn things by trying them. I only use Fomapan 400 (and 200, and 100) in medium format, so my impressions are limited to MF. Thanks for the suggestions. However I still wanted to see whether Fomapan 400 could work for me in any other use cases .
I will give it a try for sure. (1043) Id say its Kentmere on the left and Fomapan on the right. the paintings, the drawings, the photographs. That could be a place I settle. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You have described what I call (perhaps immodestly) JPs Law: Nobody ever learned anything by being told. Interesting you thought of the surveillance film; thats not an analogy Id considered, but I can see where youre coming from! The main challenge I had with this film at EI 400 that shadows looked underexposed. . The character of these films comes down to a combination of the above factors. (Never shot Ilford) I am definitely going to try Kentmere. Required fields are marked *.
Its such a wonderful SLR. Pop in a blues CD and Im in the zone. Thanks Matthias! I hope youve enjoyed my first Impressions of Fomapan 400 and perhaps will inspire you to go out and shoot some for yourself! Fomapan is a film I tried when I first started out, but I was undertaking the learning curve of a film camera as well as film itself, and this meant that my results were not ideal. Theres so much I havent even heard of and so much to learn. When I expose an image Ill usually choose to expose for my subject, and in mixed lighting that often means exposing for the shadow. Even EI 800 will be a struggle in certain circumstances. Youre right to be suspicious of internet information. 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. For me, the comparison is between Fomapan 400 and Kodak TriX. I dont think you can go wrong giving this film a try, and you just might be surprised at what you get! :-(. Id be willing to bet that Foma 400 probably looks like most available 400 ASA films from the 60s and 70s. Ive not tired it yet. It was lovely to shoot my Spotmatic F again. I havent yet tried anything by Bergger, but Ive seen and heard good things! Looking at B&H, Kentmere 400 is about three dollars less than either HP5 or Tri-X, which is pretty significant. Scottsdale Az. Jim, I have to say I have no problem with Kodak and Ilford films in terms of price, they all seem to perform absolutely perfectly and I would certainly buy them if I needed to actually shoot something for money! And as you know, a Spotmatic with the 55mm /1.8 is hard to beat for 135 size Leica quality at a discount. Here are a few more of my favourite shots using this film. Great article Simon! I am deciding between HP5+ and Fomapan. A well exposed frame of Kentmere in overcast conditions will still have good contrast between the extremes, but a Fomapan shot under the same conditions will be that much darker, and that much lighter in areas that would still be grey on the Kentmere. If pushing is the objective, Fomapan 400 would be my last resort. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 4.50 for the 400 and 4.15 for the 100 ISO, cheaper if you buy 10 packs. Portrairs are fabulous with this fim, thanks to its savantly cirrected spectral sensitiviry. Id have to shoot one roll of film every week to be able to use each of my cameras about once a year. Hey guys, regarding bulk loading, do you store the spool and loader in the freezer between loading rolls? 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. When I get it right, I love the results. I got the same results. Your email address will not be published. I tend to prefer Foma 400 to TriX, depending on the look I'm after. They werent having any of that artsy stuff. Trees dont move. But theres plenty of muddy shots. Fomapan 400 is garbage film comparing to hp5+. That being said, settling on using it as a 200 means that Ill shoot it less frequently, reserving it for spring/summer use. A few shots on the roll looked flat and lifeless, no matter what I did to them in Photoshop. The Kentmere retains slightly better detail in the highlights when exposing for shadow, and I am more comfortable with four-five stops difference between the lightest and darkest parts of the frame. Happy shooting! Comparing Foma Fomapan vs Ilford HP5 Plus 400 . It is a very nice film and, I dont know why, many ime is snobbed and underestimated. The one of the left is the Fomapan. But when its off, its pretty meh for me. So when paired with a developer that's known for it's increased grain and contrast; it's grain for days and I love it. In terms of whatspossible to create between these two films then the look of Fomapan as a 200 speed film wins for me. https://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanadventureleaguepdx/51082053798/, APDX, I tried the rolling my own back in the 1980s, when I was a free lance and trying to save some money on my personal stuff (didnt really shoot 35mm for money). But bulkrolls are still a great price. Learn how your comment data is processed. . 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. Some say that Ultrafine is Kentmere, but theres no positive proof. ALL my posts are to be read with an aMaZeBaLLs BARRY WHITE voice. Theres a ton of character in it. With distilled water? You write from your shoes on the groundand no tree shots. Thanks for the post! It also much better reciprocity. Glad you enjoyed this piece. 133 Re: Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 Originally Posted by Deardorffuser Good film, good price)) I shoot 200@160 or 200@800 8x10" Foma 200@160 Thank you, it looks very promising! Im still not sure about Kentmere 400. Print Email. Im pleased with my bathroom-mirror selfie above. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Let me start by tell you Im surprised at the cost of film in the UK. Your email address will not be published. Add to Wish List. Personally I prefer 100 speed films for 35mm. Chemical mixing correct? Analog Workflow Forums (100% Analog/Traditional). I actually received my Ultrafine today and am going to try and load it into the loader tonight. Not being concerned with grain and underexposure, I didn't mind it. 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. I love your city scenes. Quite frankly, I deeply dislike BW films that are too sensitive to red. When the contrast is good, the images are nice, some of my favorite. Fomapan 400, metered for the wall on the right. Im pleased with these images except for the graininess and lack of definition in the shadows. Fomapan 400 is a wonderful film in the right developer (I use Fomadon LQN and expose at 320 EI). Thanks!! Comparing Foma Fomapan 100 Classic vs Ilford HP5 Plus vs Ilford . Call me stubborn, but I always shoot a film for the first time at box speed. Learn how your comment data is processed. I thought it would be interesting to discuss the two, and make a few comparisons where appropriate in order to help guide people towards making a choice between perhaps the most popular budget black and white films on the market. I did get some smashing results this time. This means whether my subject is passing through light or shade they will have detail in my frame. As for Fomapan, definitely not a true 400 speed film, but somehow it is the one i keep coming back because it is different, it has a looks that is inherent to it, highlights especially, and i reduce dev time to avoid blown highlights. With Df96, you can push or pull developing based on temperature and agitation. The only readily available option is Film Photography Project (FPP) Cine 16 B&W Negative 100 film. Youre working in the profession, and Im a happily retired photo educator. Update: November 28, 2021Updated pricing references and made a few minor edits. I've read on some forums that Kentmere (and thus CHM) is cut from the edges of HP5 and FP4 . Ive had a life-time of shooting film professionally since the 70s, and Ive always found when correctly exposed, the film speeds to be nominally correct. 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. I recently shot two rolls of Ilford Delta 400 and really liked the results developed in HC-110. Get more of my photography in your inbox or reader! For two of my last rolls of Fomapan, I heated the chemicals to about 85 and noticed a huge improvement. In the end, I can afford Kodak and Ilford films and am starting to realize I should just quit looking for bargains. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. HP5+ is the better film.
I am not sure that I agree with you on the contrast. Currently, Tri-X is probably my favorite of the 3, but Fomapan is becoming quite the competitor. Im stubborn about this: why the heck would a manufacturer rate a film at a particular ISO if they dont mean it? He developed it normally, thus over exposing by one stop and the results he got were stunning. I use the 15,, Your kind words are much appreciated as is the great quote. Order by 6pm to ship today. Thanks John! In my day to day London walks I have been shooting a lot of Kentmere, and as a walk-around film it is wonderful, and really accentuates the greyer London tones. It's about what looks right to you, and what you look for in your photography. https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=63964930%40N05&sort=date-taken-desc&text=fomapan%20400&view_all=1, https://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanadventureleaguepdx/51082053798/. Timer for processing working correctly? I have used the HP5+ a good bit and am satisfied with it, but I see that Fomapan is much cheaper. Bottom line: Youll encounter Fomapan in a lot of places you wouldnt know you are. I agree that it is a technically more capable film. I cant find a reputable source to this, and theres nothing mentioned in Fomas technical sheets, so Im really not sure what to think about this. Fomapan 400. Many shoot all Foma films at half the rated ISO, I've tested and found that for me Foma 200 shoot at 200 in D76, and Rodinal. The look of Kentemere reminds me of those surveillance films, or JHC400, so maybe that would be the most direct comparison. I keep my bulk loaders in a drawer under my bed, reasonably consistent temperature.but I never cool or freeze them. I am presently shooting Fomapan 200 in my 45. Hi Simon, Ya fomapan 400 is such a strange film, but I really do love it for that. I think that overexposed by a stop it definitely shares characteristics, there is some equivalency between the rendering of the grain, and the achievable contrast in flat light. Ive commented before the the blog-o-sphere is chock full of inaccuracies, especially when it comes to film photography. 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. As a truer native 400 speed film it is more practical for someone looking to get the best results at a higher speed. Nice results, that selfie is sharp indeed! Never had a problem with scratched film. Man Im so glad to here this helped!
I want to start bulk loading my film so I can control the number of frames, and to save money. Theory & ReflectionsPhotography theory, philosophy, and how/why other photographers do what they do. Glad you liked it! I like the compositions of your sample images a lot. I started shooting with Kentmere a few months ago, in the hopes that it would provide a cheap, versatile walk-around film for general purpose street photography. Shipping. Im currently shooting a roll of Fomapan 400 at EI 200 to see how it goes watch this space for the results.
Kentmere is better in general, more dynamic range. Also, it seemed I could never get Fomapan to dry cleanly no matter what I tried. 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. Unless I pre-soak and rinse the film before the developer, I do so thoroughly after dumping-off the developer to ensure that none of the vivid green anti-halation dye remains to avoid polluting my stop both with it; with that level of rinse, the stop is probably redundant, but I do it anyway. Some people love them; others can't stand them. This article started as a write up about my time shooting these two emulsions over a long bank holiday weekend, where I had similar lighting conditions and was able to shoot similar exposures across both Fomapan and Kentmere rolls. I shot some 120 Fomapan and just got through with some 45 test shots, all shot at 400 and all developed in df96. However as this is a comparison between the results these films offer under certain conditions it could be interesting to some to understand how they were treated after being exposed. Im not thrilled with the slower speeds so maybe I ought to give 400 a go. Foma 100 is available in 35mm and 120 formats where Kentmere 400 only comes in 35mm. I have enjoyed shooting Fomapan 100, but based in what I have read, I have never tried the 400 speed. However I think there are some quite distinguished features to the grains of these films that should remain constant regardless of the technique used. I especially echo the advice to put a piece of masking tape or sticky label on the loader with some info written on it.type of film loaded, length of the roll, date loaded, expiry date (if known)I also write numbers "2 4 6 8 10 12 14 18" and cross them out when load 35mm cassettes so I have a rough idea how many I've made and how much film is left. 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. Portrairs are fabulous with this fim, thanks to its savantly cirrected spectral sensitiviry.. Sign up for my monthly newsletter,Back Roads, and be the first to knowwhat I'm working on! But I digress. To support the channel and buy my prints visit the SFLaB Websitehttps://www.rogerlowe.co.ukWant more content?Why not become a member! Generally you heat up the chemicals to 80F and use constant agitation. The juries still out since I havent been able to set up personal processing to insure the results in my tiny apartment. Shooting: A Praktica LTL And Expired Konica 400. If Id settle in on a few key cameras and a few key films, Id probably become a much better photographer in short order. Subscribehere. the paintings, the drawings, the photographs. I ask because my 30.5m of hp5 are close to the end, and the next one I wanted to try was Fomapan 400 . I chose my delightful 55mm f/1.8 SMC Takumar lens for this roll. Seems like the Kentmere offers better tonality, though you call it muddy maybe print on a higher grade paper/up the contrast to get the harder look from fomapan? Thank you! https://www.flickr.com/photos/62974341@N02/, Sonatas XI-5 Faerie Dance - Revisited (Meeting). Film Photography, and Other Analogue Curiosities. I realized in short order that I had to meet a certain quality level for every thing I was doing, and started referring to the rolling machine as the patented film scratcher. While the pricing advantage of Fomapan has eroded recently due to inflation and other factors, its still usually my go-to when film-testing recently repaired cameras, and even the modest price savings from using it might help encourage experimentation and creative exploration that higher-priced films inherently rather discourage. Is HP5 really $20 better than Fomapan? For its price, Fomapan is an absolute bargain. Kentmere is not an easy film to shoot. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My Last Roll Of Fujicolor 200, And The Edmonton Ice Castles. I think people looking for that aesthetic and willing to be less cavalier with their metering would be happy with the lower cost of Kentmere. When there is sufficient light I will still use Fomapan . It will indeed scratch the film no matter what you do. I've been trying . Add at least two items to compare. Im reasonably pleased with these next four photos. However, I recently started bulk loading Fomapan 400, much like Andrea. Because Im an experiential learner. Otherwise I find Fomapan/Arista EDU Ultra 400 to be a fine film. And one further note here. I just recently got a bulk loader. As mentioned above, if you do feel the bulk roll is uncomfortably close to expiring or has expired you can roll some cassettes and fridge or freeze those. However, the more you work with them and compare them to each other you start to see the differences. I'm having HP5+ in my bulk loader. I should try Kentmere 400 next then. I like its whites and the dark black. Heres a shot that I got from the last time I shot Kentmere 400: No items to compare. +1 on all the advice re bulk loaders. Mixing the ID-11 and waiting 24 hours to use it was getting old. I tried Foma 400 and to be honest, I am not happy with it. I tried (semi-succesfully) push foma200 1 stop in rodinal and its definitely also worth checking out, the foma200 film gives (imo) better results than the 400. Seems to work best for me. The Pen EE has not arrived yet.. Simon recommended either shooting it at 200 and developing normally, or shooting at 400 and push in the developing. Analog Workflow Forums (100% Analog/Traditional). I need to shoot more to be sure. Are you metering correctly? Order now to ship Tue May 30. This last round with Fomapan 400 has certainly excited me A lot!
This is in 135in 120 Fomapan 400 is lovely. They show good detail and a reasonable tonal range, and good contrast after I boosted it in Photoshop. That stuff came in handy as I dabbled in that artsy stuff. . Fomapan features a more severe cut off, with well exposed images showing pure blacks and pure whites with only a very same-y grey in the middle. 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.
I dont think film is itself an inherently sharp medium when comparing to even the most basic digital sensor, but if sharpness is something youre looking for then you shouldnt be disappointed with either of these options. And many of us are looking for ways to shave a few bucks off the cost of our favorite hobby. There is an endless list of films, cameras and techniques that I doubt I will ever get around to trying them all. I have developed some Acros 100 in that df96 too, and while the grain is brought out a bit, it is nothing like the crunchiness of that Fomapan. Thank you Daniel! Note that some are also Arista EDU 400, which is the same thing: But as Andy Umbo above noted, Fomapan films have a certain look. Id never discourage anyone from using it. Perhaps there will be an update on that in a later article, but for now these are some of the images from developing Fomapan at 400 in Df96 at 85F. Fomapan 400 is a black and white negative film that has a very unique look. 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. 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. Definitely a characterful film with quirks, and requiring experimentation before a user can be comfortable with what it offers. . FOMA 400 is really grainy, but looks fine. 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. Lines are clean, and micro-contrast is maintained. I remember you never. 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.
What works for me or another person may not work for you. I just found that without the viewfinder, Nice photos, Walter.
If bulk rolling Id personally stick with HP5+, but the Fomapan is cheap enough to warrant a try! Foma Fomapan Classic 100 Black and White Negative Film (4 x 5", 50 Sheets) You Pay: $74.99 (12) Add to Cart View Cart. Comparing Foma Fomapan 400 Action vs Ilford HP5 Plus . I used both but I prefer HP5+ as my goto 400 iso film. #2. And over the past few months it looks like the gap between the budget and premium black and white stocks has widened. You answered my earlier question here! Sort: Clear All. I get good results from the 100 at box, but the 200 I have tos hoot a 125. Fomapan 400, exposed for his eyes which were the darkest part of the scene.Fomapan works very nicely when exposing for the shadows, although often shows halation in the brighter lit areas, and light sources. Lens shutting down to aperture correctly? You are using an out of date browser. This tech page is for Foma Fomapan 400 Film, or FOMAPAN_400. Plus, youd be stuck with about 18 rolls of the stock, so you better hope that you really liked that emulsion that much. I found Foma 400 can a very muddy looking film if shot at correct exposure giving the same under exposed look. So this post is very helpful many thanks. I dont understand why it works out that way! 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. thanks for the comparison. Sign up here. Thank you Victor! 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. JavaScript is disabled. I usually use up a roll within about 9 months anyway, or maybe a year. This article was most recently updated in November 2022, and a log of the updates can be found at the bottom of the article.). Your abusive post has been reported. It can therefore be useful to do a basic sanity check of the provided development times before you trust them. Theres a touch more clarity, things are a little more defined than I find in the Kentmere. I havent shot Kentmere 400 yet. The perfect camera in your hand, and an unlimited supply of these on eBay: you can always find one. Ive never had an issue with a frame of film being too soft as a result of anything other than user error in terms of mis-focusing it. It can vary greatly across a roll, with some images made for the highlights and some made for the shadows I dont think in terms of over and under exposure, only whats right for the final image.
https://www.patreon.com/shootfilmlikeabossBecome a member of SFLaB and JOIN the YouTube Members area.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRev1D_EDHyzhW8_voY0Z_g/joinAbout This Video - I have always been an HP5 lover if I need a 400 speed film but recently, over price, I was interested in Kentmere 400. Add to Wish List. The blogs and forums all say that Fomapan 400 looks best when shot at EI 160 or 200. Sonatas XI-5 Faerie Dance - Revisited (Meeting). Fomapan on the other hand seems underexposed when shot at box speed. In shooting the first roll of Foma 400 I bulk loaded, I had the same issue with thin negatives. Free Expedited Shipping. Theres any number of things I could try. totally agree with the article.
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