Author Topic: Foma Retropan  (Read 2455 times)

Ed Wenn

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Foma Retropan
« on: March 20, 2017, 03:21:55 PM »
Has anyone here used the wonderfully named (at least for sucker like me) Foma Retropan? Aside from anything else it has a 'convenient speed'. Well, that's good news  ;)

"Foma RETROPAN 320 offers very delicate soft tones perfect for a range of applications where a soft 'retro' look is desired. With a convenient speed of 320 asa/iso Retropan offers something refreshingly different to the established films on the market."



http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/foma-retropan-320-35mm-36-3791-p.asp
« Last Edit: March 20, 2017, 03:23:41 PM by Ed Wenn »

SLVR

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2017, 03:23:30 PM »
if only it came in those reusable retro canisters  ;)

Late Developer

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2017, 04:36:53 PM »
Ed - check this out.

The photos from the roll I used were shot via an old Voigtlander Vitomatic and processed by a lab using standard chemicals.  Apparently, there's specific developer for it.  I liked the lower contrast and the sort of "glow" (which is probably more to do with the camera) but the grain was like golf balls compared to other medium speed film.

http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=8657.msg117180#msg117180
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02Pilot

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2017, 06:08:11 PM »
I've been meaning to get a couple rolls to try them in Caffenol (probably stand developing for starters). I haven't used much Foma film, but what I tried had a very soft emulsion and was actually about half the listed box speed (again in Caffenol). I've seen samples of the Retropan elsewhere and liked the look for the sorts of subjects you'd expect (portraits, soft light landscapes, old stuff, etc.).
Any man who can see what he wants to get on film will usually find some way to get it;
and a man who thinks his equipment is going to see for him is not going to get much of anything.


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astrobeck

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2017, 08:48:02 PM »
Andrea Ingram has....

I bought 2 rolls, but have not used them...

Francois

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2017, 08:58:00 PM »
If it has a weak AH layer like I think, I would be fantastic for vintage looking night shots.
Francois

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Gimenosaiz

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2017, 10:27:47 AM »
Hi!

I've shot a couple or rolls.

With its specific developer (better):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123541493@N02/albums/72157674870172941

EDIT: I have put all the photos in the album

In this post of a spanish forum I posted some photos of a roll I developed with HC-100 (1+47) (nearly awful):
http://manualens.com/foro/index.php?topic=21600.0

I don't like it, mainly because of the grain ...

Cheers!
Antonio
« Last Edit: March 22, 2017, 08:44:10 AM by Gimenosaiz »

Late Developer

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2017, 10:41:46 AM »
Hi!

I've shot a couple or rolls.

With its specific developer (better):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123541493@N02/30876272665/in/dateposted/

In this post of a spanish forum I posted some photos of a roll I developed with HC-100 (1+47) (nearly awful):


http://manualens.com/foro/index.php?topic=21600.0

I don't like it, mainly because of the grain ...

Cheers!
Antonio
Antonio, I can only agree with you.  It's an interesting film and I'm sure it will have its uses.  However, in 35mm format, I don't regard it as something I would use to take portraits.  Additionally, the 35mm version doesn't seem to be very good at recording deep blacks or crisp whites - very "grey" look to it.  As much as I like a bit of grain, without the dedicated developer, I can't live with that much grain..... :o
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Francois

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2017, 01:50:38 PM »
I guess the 35mm version must be more sensitive to the type of developer used.
Those who create grain edge effects and the high accutance developers will make the film appear sharper. It also grey-er simply because more light goes through and around the individual grains.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

Gimenosaiz

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2017, 02:42:47 PM »
Hi!

This was not a good choice either ... Fomapan 320 4x5 developed with Xtol. stupid choice :-( ... Even worst given that the lens was a projector lens that I hadn't tested before ...


Graflex_Retropan_Xtol_011_026 (Copy) by Antonio Test, on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/123541493@N02/albums/72157676267723765

Cheers!
Antonio
« Last Edit: March 21, 2017, 02:45:29 PM by Gimenosaiz »

Ricardo Miranda

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2017, 09:30:58 PM »
I have used Foma Retropan 320 both with the Retro developer as well as Rodinal.
An album of some pictures is here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78429898@N03/albums/72157654935188262


Ed Wenn

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Re: Foma Retropan
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2017, 04:44:06 PM »
HI Everyone, thanks very much for taking the time to reply....especially when there's already been an in-depth discussion of the film on this forum. Doh! I should have checked before I started a new thread, sorry.

I have now read both sets of posts and am very much the wiser for it. Thanks a lot.