Fomapan 400 is a film of questionable quality but indisputable photographic interest. It has an old-fashioned look that I quite like and, despite what some reviewers have written about the film, I’ve never had any bad experiences with it. There were only a couple of keepers from this roll but that’s my fault, not the film’s. The problem was I used a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder and did a lot of cat chasing in low light. That’s something better done with an autofocus digital camera, frankly. Anyway, here are the two I can show you.
The reflection of the apartments in the polished granite outside the window is overexposed but doesn’t look bad. When digital goes over its highlight limit it often looks awful, though this is improving with each new advance in sensor technology.
Amice likes to take strolls in the hallway of our building and on this day I took the camera out with me to make some photos. I gave up chasing him after a few ruined frames, deciding instead to frame this scene and wait for him to walk into it. Low light meant a blurry cat, but it doesn’t detract from the photo.
This is my last film post for a while. Eventually the film bug will bite again and I’ll be loading a camera with some film. Actually, I’ll be loading the F6 with film and enjoying its autofocus and matrix metering. And chasing the cat less . . . .
I’m very fond of Fomapan. So far I prefer the lower ISO ones, but it’s nicely priced and I enjoy using it.
LikeLike
The price is very nice, isn’t it? I haven’t tried the lower ISO versions. Maybe someday . . . I got a roll of Ferrania Alpha 30 (name?) the other day and I’m looking forward to trying that. ISO80, so the tripod will come with me on any outing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great to have an inexpensive film that’s so rewarding (and forgiving) to use. I’m currently looking at the unusually bright light and wondering about heading out with some stupidly low iso film loaded. I’m not familiar with Ferrania, will look it up.
LikeLike
Nice work Marcus!
LikeLike
Thanks, Jim. I’m encouraged to try some more black and white film.
LikeLike
I really love that Stairwell pic!
LikeLike
Thanks. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but it’s starting to grow on me.
LikeLike
Stopped using Foma after some terrible experience with 5×4. Looks nice though.
LikeLike
Come to think of it, I think it was 120 and up that caused problems for people. Anyway, Ilford films aren’t that much more expensive and developing is the same cost no matter what film it is.
LikeLike
I like that first shot too. The second shot seems to be of a cat, for some unknown reason 😉
LikeLike
Thanks. It’s rumoured that the building is haunted by a cat that cries at night. And morning. And afternoon. And evening . . . . .
LikeLike