FOMAPAN 100 - (*photograph sourced from* *foma.cz*)

Foma Bohemia have been making photographic film since 1921 and have a fantastic heritage based in Czech Republic. They're known for producing a variety of black and white films and photographic papers however, they also produce movie film, X-ray film and dosimetry films, as well as processing chemicals for the films stocks.

PENTAX SPOTMATIC SPII + SUPER-MULTICOATED-TAKUMAR 35/3.5 + FOMAPAN 100

A Little Background

The first time I used Fomapan 100 was in 2015, I had just started my degree in photography and I was doing lots of documentary and street photography. I ran a test roll through my Leica IIIf, my main 35mm camera at the time. I remember developing the roll and being pleased with the density of the negatives, I was eager to begin printing in the darkroom and see the results of my efforts with this film stock. The results were fantastic and I was impressed by the tonal quality of the film offered.

MINOLTA XE-1 + MC ROKKOR PF 50MM F1.7 + FOMAPAN 100

Fompan 100 is equally as good in 120 format as it in 35mm. The tones really come to life in the larger format. The film stock produces a clean and sharp negative. The exposure latitude is nice and wide, much like all black and white film stocks on the market today. Fomapan 100 is a classic emulsion and it's very reminiscent of film stocks from the 40's, 50's and 60's. I find that this particular film stock is best suited to the more traditional developers such as rodinal, HC-110 and D-23. These developers have a high acutance and that's what will really make Fomapan 100 pop.

PENTAX SPOTMATIC SPII + SUPER-MULTICOATED-TAKUMAR 50/1.4 + FOMAPAN 100

There are plenty of other developer options to choose from as well, not only the ones I mentioned above. I've yet to try Fomapan 100 in a stand development, but I suspect it would perform quite well. I've used the film for documentary, street and even portraiture work in the past. I've just started to use it more in my landscape and nature photography and perhaps I'll post those results on here soon.

Fomapan 100 is a panchromatic film and it meets high requirements for low granularity, high resolving sharpness and contour sharpness. Fomapan 100 has a wide exposure latitude and will still give fantastic results when overexposed by 1EV (ISO 50) or when underexposed by 2EV (ISO 400). Changes to development time and/or temperature are minimal.

Fomapan 100 is a fantastic film, capable of excellent results. Paired with a high acutance developer you can create great black and white photography. Also to note, Fomapan offer some of the most affordable film stocks on the market today when compared to the competition. For that reason is particular, it's perfect for testing new cameras and new ideas. If you haven't tried Fomapan 100, I definitely recommend it.

Fomapan 100 Review

A Little Background