FOMAPAN Creative 200 - An Often Overlooked Black & White | ROLL REVIEW

[@tonyzhu403]

Slight Correction. The Company is called Foma or Foma Bohemia. The Film Series is called Fomapan, as they are panchromatic.

[@AnalogResurgence]

Thank you! I was mixed up on that and should have made that clearer.

[@StackOverflow80]

Thanks for the Foma video! Problem with Fomapan's 200 higher contrast is because real speed of this film is not 200, but rather 125 or so. This means that if you shoot and develop it for the advertised speed, you in fact push it. So to shoot it for less ISO and shorten developing time appropriately should give softer ("normal") contrast and grain too. Sadly the discrepancy in real vs. nominal speed happens with other Fomapan stocks too. Another interesting fact about Fomapan 200 is that its emulsion is either partly or entirely made using tabular crystals (aka "delta" or T-grains). This should provide better resolution. For this reason this film was in the past named "Fomapan T 200", now it's not clear from the name. And Fomapan R is made not only in 8mm, but also in 16mm single and double perforated. In super 8 it is not made, but it is made in Double Super 8 (DS-8), so if you have a film slitter, you can split it and load it in reloadable super 8 cartridge.

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

Its good to know, that the Fomapan 200 is totally different film than the 100 & 400 iso films. Its a hybrid T grain film, it was originally marketed as 200T with the 800T film they offered. But Kodan banned them from doing this. You also want to shoot it at iso 100, as its more close to iso 100. So its not classic film in any ways, its actually the only modern b&w film thats made by other than the big manufacturers.

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

Just to add as i came across this old comment, the actual real ISO is 160. I just shoot it at ISO 100, to pull it slightly.

[@tomstaunton1804]

Here in Ireland we can get this stuff for about 3 Euro per 36exp roll, it's a much better value around Europe.

[@zdrhy]

Yes, its around 3,5€ here in Czech Republic too. Great film. And you can save even more. You can buy 100 ft (30m) bulk roll for only 35€ => 1 roll (36. exp) is 2€. So cheap. I love Foma!

[@jesseskye3547]

@@zdrhy 3,20€ for a single roll here in Germany.

[@TheDiablo225]

About 3,74€ (17pln) per 36.exp. roll in Poland. Damn it's sooo cheap, I think the cheapest film you can get there. Love it

[@PitlordWeedsmurph]

7 eur in Bulgaria, but film is generally a bit more expensive here for some reason. I order the bulk from Germany and after rolling it’s about 2.5 eur.

[@olek_radek_to_ja]

If you are living in Middle or Eastern Europe Foma is the cheapest film you can get. In Poland it costs about 15 PLN per roll, wich is less than 5 us dollars. It is just the best for it's price.

[@MrOncucar]

I've found last year in the middle of Cappadoccia, Turkey an ancient Polish film stock, namely from the firm Foton, the Fotopan S 125. I shot it and developed it, emulsion got a little bad, but nice vintage look! Wonder how it was on its days... It's unfortunate that Foma survived and Foton didn't... Na zdrowie!

[@olek_radek_to_ja]

It looked almost like Foma, cause Foma bought equipment from Foton after polish manufacturer ended film production. I think that Fomapan 200 is still made on Fotopan machines.

[@MrOncucar]

@@olek_radek_to_ja Amazing!

[@pawpw1]

I''ve abandonned B&W photography 30 years ago, only to return to it these days, as a hobby. It was a (pleasant) suprise, that the same company (Fotochema back then, Foma today) is still producing films under the same brand. And they are not bad, at all. While those films are not the absolute best, they deliver very decent performance in all aspects: exposure-tolerant, versatile, some grain but not too much, and the quality/price ratio is unbeatable. The 35mm Fomapan is still sold in bulk rolls as an option, and my favorite are 120 rolls, for a price roughly corresponding to 4 USD.

[@pawog04youtube3]

Finally, you reviewed my favourite BW film. Fell in love with it when I bought some in Europe where I could but it for less then Ilford film, so it was budget-friendly for me too! I travel to Europe a bit...

[@blender_wiki]

Smart youtuber + smart viewers = zero thumbs down. Well deserved

[@StickPeopleAndPuff]

Fomapan 400 is my favorite brand of B&W film because of the grain. Kodak's B&W is just to fine and clean for my liking. I believe the "Holga" branded B&W film is also the same as the various Foma films.

[@theoldcameraguy]

Just snagged some Fomapan 200 in 120 - Thanks for sharing your experience here.

[@AnalogResurgence]

Awesome! I hope to shoot some of this stuff in 120 for myself soon as well.

[@swisswildpicsswp3095]

It looks awesome in medium format!

[@shadelz3305]

I do love the Fomapan100 stock, it's cheap here in Spain and it does reliable, classic results with higher contrast, which is something I love. I'd really recommend it.

[@nerwanisnoone1937]

Same in the UK, Amazon sell 10 packs super cheap, so it's my go to.

[@marcinopalinski9640]

Im in Poland which means to me you uploaded this video at 10 pm 😂

[@jmguitarnavy]

I have been using Foma papers to learn some basic darkroom skills. They have a wide variety of types and sizes and they're all cheaper than Ilford's but the results are still great! I'd definitely recommend them.

[@gemista]

I’m developing a roll of Fomapan 100 right now. Just in time.

[@flashbarsflashcubes8384]

HES BACK YES!

[@DPImageCapturing]

Hi Noah! I just ordered some Fomapan Retro 200 & 400 for testing, thx for the info, CHEERS!

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

Foma also offers Retropan 320 film.

[@mattjhonson72]

I really appreciate the foma 100, not because it is only affordable, but because it has a particularly vintage look. Superb if developed in kodak d76 1 + 1. From my point of view, these films have only one major flaw: they are scratched very easily during processing, they are very delicate.

[@petermikus2363]

Well apparently foma behemia still make the film the same way they did in the 1950s.

[@arachnenet2244]

Fomapan100-400 is definitely my favourite line of film. It is really versatile and the low price makes shooting film actually fun!

[@russelcapatoy2965]

Nice and straight forward. Kudos and keep it up. 🧐

[@filipbarski6990]

I used fomapan creative 200 to check what my 1930 Voigtlander Avus is capable of. The grain realy fits a camera from that era so I stuck with it

[@anatrindade4524]

Thank you. I was wondering to try it on 4x5. i know it might be slightly different than 35mm, but loved your explanation and to know that it's similar to kodak trix in terms of contrast.

[@jbliborio]

This is my favourite Fomapan stock. Got fantastic photos with it and one of them is hanging on the wall.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

I have used both Foma and AristaEDU in 35mm and 120 -- and they definitely have that mid-century (last century!) feel to them. It was neat to see your shots from your neighborhood -- making it look gritty, grungy and a lot more "1950's" than it really is -- I see a lot of the same places when Kasey from Camera Conspiracies is out testing vlogging cameras -- but of course his footage is almost all in color and in good weather. So it is neat to see the contrast between the two views (pun not intended!) -- thanks Noah!!!

[@pedrobortoli6852]

Was torn between burning my wallet again for some more Ilford ( it's pretty expensive where i live ), and got to your review. Ordered two rolls of Creative 200 and two of Action 400 from Foma. Cheers, and thanks for the great review, Noah!

[@DPImageCapturing]

I have FOMAPAN Retro 200 & 400 in 120 on the way! Great video, CHEERS!

[@carlosshootsfilm2889]

Its around 3€ (3-4$) in Europe, incredibly cheap! Undeveloped it in Rodinal 1+50 for 8 minutes and get incredible results this way. Thank you so much for sharing your opinion and your results in HC110, I will try developing it in Acurol-N in the future. Cheers!

[@michelk5]

Fomapan 100 is good and cheap especially when bulk loading. I develop with Rodinal and i am pleased by the results. 2 or 3€ per roll of 36 exposures when bulk loading is very good for my wallet. I did not try fomapan 200 but 100 is underrated for sure!

[@yamahajoe1206]

Just shot some Fomapan 120 and I enjoyed the results

[@pushpop54]

Just bought this as a test roll for my new Canon since it was so cheap, then saw youd uploaded this :D perfect timing!! Hopefully my AE-1 shoots okay!

[@AnalogResurgence]

Enjoy that AE-1!

[@afrikabb]

To be honest, Fomapan 200 is the best film I have ever tried in 100 to 200 ISO range. Especially with good developers, like XTol, DD-X of Fomadon P/D76.

[@afrikabb]

Especially in 120.

[@matyldaeaton836]

@@afrikabb How did you develop it when pulling to 120 Iso?

[@Consolethinks]

@@matyldaeaton836 I think they meant 120 film (medium format), as opposed to the more common 135 aka. "35mm film"

[@JamieMPhoto]

I've shot 2 rolls of 400 Arista/Foma and I've been super impressed so far. I have some 120 100 and 400 I'm trying out soon. I never thought about getting the 200 until I read about it right before I saw this. ha ha.

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

The 200iso is much more modern than the iso 100 and 400 films. It later design, and a different type of film. They also sold T800 before, that was the same modern style film as foma 200. But the T800 got discontinued.

[@m00dawg]

I really like Fomapan 200. I'm using it as my one shot per week 4x5 challenge, in part to learn it a bit more. I find it has a look that's different from the normal stocks. I didn't find the grain obtrusive but I'm using 4x5 and XTOL. In that size and dev I seem to find the grain tighter than HP5, though I'm usually pushing HP5 almost all the time (including in 4x5) so it's not a very fair comparison.

[@GreenlifeFin]

Ah, I love this film!

[@_raresis5405]

foma is pretty popular and very easy to get here, in romania

[@milandoersam]

I shot this film in my 120 6x9 camera and i really liked it. I would definetely recommed it especialy for beginners.

[@sumvs5992]

I only got into film in general about a month or month and a half ago, and got a 35mm camera quickly. While it was on the cheap side (£10 from the local antique shop), I still didn't have a great deal of money left, so this was definitely a good film choice for me, only £20~ for 4 rolls (including the postage). Super helpful to see what results I might be getting once I get it developed though, thanks for that.

[@lugallagher6193]

I live in the Czech Republic, so foma is super readily available here and also the cheapest film around, you can buy a roll for 100czk (that's about 6 Canadian dollars / 5 US dollars / 3 British pounds). It's become my go-to black and white film, I really love the look it goes (especially fomapan 100, which is my favourite of their films). I did also once push fomapan 400 to 1600 and the pictures still came out looking pretty good

[@velvia7880]

Their FOMABROM 111, glossy fiber paper is awesome.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

Fomapan it's the cheapest bulk film in Europe. I think in North America, it's cheaper buy Arista, or Lomo lady gray than foma (they are the same film). Great video and photos!

[@jonnoMoto]

Yep. I bulk load the 200 and 400. I can't find 33m rolls of 400 though, only 17.5m.

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

@@jonnoMoto If you are from Europe, look in the oficial web store of foma. Some times they have special price for lots os 35mm/120 and of course the complete catalogue. Good luck!

[@EduardoRomero1965]

I develop Fomapan 200 in PMK Pyro with great results. Thanks for the info.

[@AmpedGaming404]

Arista EDU 400 is actually my main B&W film stock! Mostly because I took a massive package of 35mm rolls from my school darkroom ;). It gives great results, though.

Foma also manufactures Retropan 320.

[@swisswildpicsswp3095]

In Switzerland you can get it for about 4 euros. In comparison, a roll of Ilford HP5 is around 7 euros, a roll of Kodak Gold 7 euros also, a roll of 400TX 10 euros, a roll of Ektar100 15 euros. Almost everywhere in Europe, Foma is the cheapest brand. I don't like the Action 400 very much, I think it looks a bit muddy, and I prefer paying almost double for a roll of HP5 plus. But the Creative 200 is one of my favorites!

[@mc25141]

My colleague gave me 3 rolls of Fomapan Classic 100 to try. Since I shot some other B/W films, in the end Fomapan Classic 100 is my favourite B/W negative Film. I love its look directly from scan (developed with Rodinal) and I love it's price (I live in Europe).

[@fotolookconde]

I have been shooting Fomapan 100 on 35mm and 120. It's cheap and good!

[@lookttl-lowbugetfilmphotog4389]

I realy like the Fomapan line bc its so cheap! i pay about 4 euro (6 DC) here in germany. I like to use it if iam just traveling or even just hang out with friends, if the film is cheap iam more willing to take a lot of snapshots. i dont like to do that with HP5 or Porta

[@lpi3]

I'm using iso 100. Quite nice film

[@mikishootsonfilm]

Foma manufactures great films also for 8mm cinema

[@zhongyao-sc1lj]

5:10，this kentimeter tone is beautiful,do you have developer data for my reference?

[@m-baka]

Thanks for the video. Lomo Lady Grey is also Fomapan 400. Here in LA, Arista is 30 cents cheaper than fomapan. xD

[@jancestr1054]

am from czechia so I can get fomapan for 3usd here but am not biggest fan of the grain and contrast. I’ve been experimenting with pulling it and also I try too shoot it only in 120. btw the lady grey and earl grey by lomography and the Kosmo 100 are also fomapan films

[@AnalogResurgence]

Nice! I will keep that in mind for the Lomography stuff as well. I'm trying not to overlap with black and white stuff and shoot rebranded versions of ones I have already focused on.

[@jonnoMoto]

Try pulling it with Kodak xtol/fomadon excel. Much reduced grain and lower contrast.

[@jancestr1054]

@@jonnoMoto i will, thanks. am trying reversal development with the 400 speed one

[@martincebrero2288]

Great video!! Thanks... I have used de Foma Action 400 with good results and the Arista Edu Ultra 400 too... I didn't know they were the same film...! Do you think I could push de Foma 200 to 400 ASA on my camera? Thanks!! From Buenos Aires (Argentina)

[@graydeotto2820]

Arista is usually cheaper in Canada too

[@dumiiiiiii]

foma is really great for the price. for some reason, people compare foma's films to hp5 and fp4, but they're really not in the same price range, they compete much more with kentmere, which you have touched upon in this review. fomapan 200 has a mix of older and newer grain technology, which is why it can look a bit retro. definetely take a separate look at the other two film speeds, they each have their own specific character and are also very cheap as well!

[@Lucas_Reartes]

Great video!

[@simkarte123]

I bought 4 rolls for ~16€ here in Germany. Haven't shot them yet though...

[@xvs_s]

The reason some people dislike Foma is because their films often have QC issues. I've seen Foma 8mm stuff from the same batch (developed all at once in a respected 8mm lab) and it was messy and not consistent enough. Price of their film is nice but partly due to the fact that they're able to manufacture in a way that requires less silver content. The 200 is great though, I think it was sold by Lomography as well (one of the "grey" films were Foma after a time).

[@kratassorty7480]

When I was going on a vacation, I was driving around their factory in Hradec Králové, wanting to buy some 120 film but the bastards were closed.

[@anthonyfurlong9556]

Worth checking between different online sellers. Some are less expensive for certain films and not for others. I can get Fomapan from one cheaper than Kentmere from another. Going to try develop some films myself so used Fomapan in case I mess up 😁🤞

[@fr0gstrap]

been wanting to try arista. guess u can’t go wrong for $5 per roll!

[@Maxstar246810]

As a fellow T.O purveyor of 35mm, do you have any suggestions for funky film, such as psyche blue which i got recently.

[@TheKaymor]

where do you get a good light box, like the one you have there, to hold and show your neg?

[@tjh44961]

I just bought a couple of rolls of the Arista.edu 200. I need to get out and shoot.

[@photomaster1]

Like what you do, thanks from Iowa.. USA land of the Cow people...

[@BillyHopscotch]

Kosmo Foto Mono 100 is also Fomapan 100 but at an unbelievable premium.

[@AnalogResurgence]

Oh dang I will have to remember that so I don't buy it by mistake

[@BillyHopscotch]

@@AnalogResurgence Kosmo Foto is pretty upfront about it. They're not trying to pull a fast one. But not at all worthwhile IMO.

[@frequentlycynical642]

The grain could be cut a LOT by using D-76 or Xtol. HC110 was developed for graphic films and 35mm just got swept into the tide. Look at that classic Kodak comparison chart of about five developers and characteristics like grain, contrast, sharpness, etc. HC 110 sucks for grain. Another hybrid darkroom trick is to use the grain reduction setting if your scanner has one, like my Canon. It's astounding, sort of like a digital sodium sulfite, if you know what i mean

[@8andre3]

Try out Fomapan 400. Some people push it to 800 or even 1600

[@gilbertleon5607]

I agree with your comments. There are better quality films out there. But for a roll of film at $5 and change in California, it's not a bad film to use. I like Fomapan 100 in 35mm and 120 .

[@agylub]

I use 100. It is a brilliant film at any price. Home made Perceptol is my soup.

[@samuelmoreno7654]

Hey! I have a huge question. I got a Canon Snappy S as a gift, i've never used point and shoot. Thing is, theres a stripped thread in the film chamber; i have the screw but i cant screw it in. I have no idea what the plate is and i dont know how to fix such a tiny screw hole. What can i do? Is it a necessary part?

[@andrewmiller6754]

What the develop process for this film? Because I have the fomapan 100 B&W and it doesn't say on the box weather it's a c-41 film or not

[@AnalogResurgence]

It’s a black and white film which requires black and white developing! C41 is often only for color film.

[@jonnoMoto]

I've experimented with foma 200. It isn't a 200 film and the datasheet shows this. At best it's 160 but that's with a speed enhancing developer like microphen. In xtol 1+1 @125 it has very little grain and is low contrast. HC is similar to your results bit I found it blew out the highlights easily and minimal agitation was required to keep them under control. In bright sunlight it has a subtle IR look to it.

[@diapozitīvs]

I experiment with Fomapan 200 all the time and can say - be careful with statements as these, because one can ruin or make a film sing just by the choice of developer and agitation scheme alone. When I shoot Fomapan 200, I rate it at 400 at least, which - when making slides from this film with Ilford PQ Universal, delivers punchy, contrasty slides with good definition and latitude. So - it depends on both - the film characteristics and the process/developer of choice. Im on Flickr, if you're interested in examples.

[@N556ND]

I've got a roll of Fomapan R coming in 8mm. Also a roll of Eastman Double X in 8mm from the FPP. Have you shot any of the 35mm Double X they sell?

[@AnalogResurgence]

I've shot some Double X for 35 stills before and it's a great stock! I know a lot of people who shoot it all the time as well.

[@i.f.haddock527]

I bulk load Fomapan 100. Costs about $3.50 a roll.

[@josephawatson]

does anyone know about the old agfa black and white reversal film? can it still be processed?

[@josephawatson]

Scala 200 is what its called.

[@mpo734]

Thoughts on reviewing Fujifilm Pro 400H (rip)? Would love to hear your thoughts on what this discontinuation means for the film photography industry as a whole

[@AnalogResurgence]

Well that would be nice except at the moment I can't get my hands on rolls of the stuff without shelling out a ridiculous price because everyone has started panic buying. I plan to try and tackle the topic in some way though!

[@brineb58]

Is the base really thin and curly??? I found the Arista stuff is too curly!!!

[@AnalogResurgence]

I didn’t seem to encounter that here! Not sure if it’s just my workflow or something specific for me, but this stuff came out nice and flat for me

[@Arturo.H.M]

In Europe Fomapan 100, 200 and 400 are cheaper than Kentmere 100 and 400. To clarify, Fomapan is the product, the brand is Foma.

[@JasperBunschoten]

Fomapan is my to go BW film here in Europe. Rolls of 36 exposures are just 4 euros a pop. Which is of great value compared to Ilford, not to mention Kodak.

[@intec0]

shot 400 in 120. really nice film

[@AnalogResurgence]

Waiting to pickup some more film soon! Definitely want to explore more Foma stuff in 120 for sure!

[@mrN3w7]

Where did you got it for $8CAD - only DowntownCamera (out of stock right now)!? All I have seen is like $16-$20CAD... and at that price I usually go for Ilford or Kodak. At $8-$9, I'd buy it... :D.

[@AnalogResurgence]

I buy from Downtown Camera, they should restock fairly regularly!

[@mrN3w7]

@@AnalogResurgence Thanks, I'll check them again at a later date :).

[@JammiYork]

Fomapan and Ultrafine are good films.

[@blortswampson8666]

bougth 10 rolls of action 400 for 45€, can't complain with that price

[@luc5798]

Fomapan 200 is a good 100 iso film! 😉(with more grain but beautiful grain) I like it in Xtol 1+2 about 11mn30 Unfortunately film is a bit more fragile than Ilford or Kodak...

[@jpaluh]

Whatever happened to Lucky Films?

[@AnalogResurgence]

It's a little unclear, but looks like they had some troubles and then started making film again in 2017? From what I've heard there should be one black and white film from them called Lucky "New" SHD100 out there somewhere.

[@strawberryjam3670]

Slight correction, they don't manufacture 8mm but double 8 film which is basically 16mm film.

[@AnalogResurgence]

Double 8, regular 8, and standard 8 are all the same thing just a different name. 8mm film is always 16mm that’s cut in half after shooting. They manufacture R100 in 8mm, Double Super 8 and 16mm

[@strawberryjam3670]

​@@AnalogResurgence No not quite. There is Double 8, which is 16mm cut in half. But regular 8 is just 8mm film while super 8 is well, you get the deal. But they don't manufacture any 8mm film as far as I know, though you can buy some respooled film. Small additon: of course when shooting 8mm there are some differences and odd things, and for all intents and purposes your point makes sense. But there are, at least here, some 8mm systems-

[@AnalogResurgence]

@@strawberryjam3670 Double 8 film goes into Regular 8mm cameras and that's how the majority of 8mm cameras took the film. 16mm wide film on a spool that is shot, then flipped over and shot again, then cut down the middle at the lab. Double 8 and Regular 8 are the same film type with different names so the Fomapan Double 8mm film is 16mm wide film that is intended for use in most Regular 8mm cameras. I believe the only stuff that was ever actually made at 8mm wide that wasn't super 8 was a short lived format called Straight 8mm.

[@aaron3455]

Foma & Arista films are so under rate; & almost half the cost of Tri-x. I've actually really started to enjoy slower speed films, they have so much variety & personality.

[@annadenaro9919]

isn't kosmo foto fomapan aswell?

[@AnalogResurgence]

I believe so yes!

[@Wiencourager]

It doesn’t do well at ISO 200, unless you develop in a speed increasing developer. Try it at 125, or 100 in Rodinal. I develop in Diafine which does get the full box speed and looks fantastic.

[@erichstocker4173]

I have used formapan 100 and 400. I have never used the 200. I have to say I don't like the look as even the 100 has too much grain for me. But what really gets me is the green antihalation stuff that comes out. I prewash all forma film at a minimum with 4 pre washes of water. By the 4th time the green is almost out. However, it would be better with 6 washes then it might be more clear before the developer goes in. I know that the use of DF96 monobath probably increases the grain but I don't want to waste my xtol and fixer on this film. I still have a few rolls of 120 that I use to test cameras. I don't like the look to take photos that I would want to keep. I can see why some might like the film but it definitely doesn't match my style.

[@Wiencourager]

The green doesn’t hurt anything, I use Diafine and don’t pre wash at all. Developer looks a bit green when I pour it back in the bottle, but it fades a lot over time. Been using the same batch of Diafine since 2018.

[@snipe775]

For 5 USD each, I'm going to give a couple rolls a try.

[@elleoat]

Ant chance you could look at Retropan 320? It is interesting film that Foma offers and there is not as much info on youtube about it.

[@gabot1983]

More about foma

[@dian_photo]

I would love to see much beloved (sadly discontinued film and bankrupted company) Forte film. It was produced in Vác, Hungary, at an old Kodak factory, but it was closed by Kodak in the second world war and never reopened. But, the Hungarian goverment reopend it in 1947 as Forte photochemicale factory.

[@AnalogResurgence]

Very interesting! I'll have to keep an eye out for some expired Fortepan!

[@stefannantz]

Lol, I am not explaining exchange rates

[@malypavel25]

I am so surprised how low you are rating this film. 100 and 400 are just perfect in my opinion. I have yet to try 200 though, so we’ll see!

[@Kaufeetimevideo]

Let's hope 3M returns to manufacture camera film.

[@Wiencourager]

Most 3m film was actually made in Italy by their Ferrania subsidiary. Ferrania is back making black and white film.

[@1989Goodspeed]

Well Foma have been around since 1921… Which means they turn 100yares old this yare.

[@ipodhty]

Flic films fomapan stuff is very reasonably priced