Hadrian's Wall on Fomopan 200

Toby Webster

Toby Webster

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I've not used this stock before. Brewed for book time (7.5) in 510-Pyro, the negatives came out very thin and flat, and dried curled and rather scruffy, with some irregularities in the emulsion It was a bugger to scan because of the determined curl, and the soft-mids (skies and grass) were pretty flat, with more punch in the hard stones. They took a bit of work in PS to pull out some contrast, but this seemed to generate some interesting luminosity. I'm not sure that I'll rush to use it again because it's too hard to work with, but I quite like some of the unexpected results.

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The last one was very damaged and took a lot of work to clean up. It could use a bit more contrast, I'll probably go back to it. My Pentax 645n is starting to drag it's shutter too, so I'm going to have to try to find someone to service it.

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Sounds like you won't be using Fomapan 200 again, Toby. I think it is generally regarded as a 100 iso film. I have used it quite a bit in 5x4 format and always rated it at 100. I only used it because it was quite a bit cheaper than 5x4 FP4. I wouldn't use it in 120 or 35mm as there have been emulsion issues with it, and anyway I think it is quite bland compared with FP5.
My favourite here is the third photograph. Very nice.
 
Like these. As for the last one it has a particular and gentle kind of beauty to it, and in fact I think it is the best looking image of the series. of them all, it is the one I would put on my wall.
 
Thanks all, and some interesting reflections on the Fomapan 200. Following Alan's post yesterday I found a couple of reviews on this film which reflected all that has been said here. There seems to be wide agreement that it is best rated at 160 ASA, that the emulsion is fragile, and that there are backing paper issues with the 120. I've got a single roll left, but I won't be rushing to use it, as I have plenty of HP5 and FP4.

Helen, I'm glad you noticed the last. It doesn't come across particularly well in the forum upload (in fact they're all rather soft on here) but it has some quiet magic at full size on my screen. As I said, it's very damaged, but I'm going to spend a bit more time with it.

Glenn, thanks for the recommendation for Miles Whitehead. I've contacted him in the past about this machine, but I don't think he was keen on taking it on for some reason. I think it only needs a lubrication and some seals.
 
You seem to have worked some magic. I am surprised how many people persevere with some films despite their issues, can't believe the cost savings justify the issues. Given the film is just part of the overall cost it rarely seems worthwhile unless its the challenge that motivates.
 
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