Find a Store for Impossible

The Impossible Project, which makes single part, Polaroid compatible, instant film and now a new instant camera, has a way to help you find its products. In conjunction with Google maps, Impossible has a Find a Store page. Check for stores carrying Impossible products near you, worldwide. The project provides three types of Polaroid compatible film, 8x10 instant film and the new I-1 Type camera and the film that fits that camera. The I-1 uses film without a battery included, so the price per pack is lower.

Kodak Sees Resurgence of Film

Kodak reports on a resurgence of motion picture film, particularly at Cannes 2016. The film giant sees the number of films recorded on celluloid increase over the past few years, ranging from humble Super8 films to 35mm and larger formats. Kodak has this to say on the topic:

In 2015, nearly 100 major motion pictures were captured on film including: 45 YEARS; BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE; THE BIG SHORT; BRIDGE OF SPIES; CAROL; HAIL, CAESAR!; THE HATEFUL EIGHT; JOY; SPECTRE; STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS; STEVE JOBS; JURASSIC WORLD; TRAINWRECK; and many others.

From Adele's famous video, to TV shows and many top contending films at Cannes, silver halide film is present and making a mark.

Historic 1940s Film on Processing Film

This 70 year old film by the American Chemistry Society documents how motion picture film was processed in the 1940s. The movie covers B&W film, since colour processes were new to the era and possibly proprietary, making them harder to document. Note that film today no longer requires alum in the fixer solution, because film is now made tolerant of higher temperatures. Otherwise, developing colour films would be impossible due to the higher temperatures used in processing such films.

Well worth the half hour to watch.

The Art of Photography: Developing C41 Film

To balance the video on E6 film, here is a video on developing C41 negative film. With just two steps plus stabilizer, Ted Forbes of the Art of Photography walks through the process of developing C41 film. Note that Part B of the blix is a strong acid. Pour it slowly and allow the solution to breath every so often to avoid the burping that Ted noticed.

Developing E6 Slde Film at Home

With the right chemistry, it is straightforward to develop E6 colour film at home. Scott Wittenburg offers this quick course on the three step process. The important thing is to keep the chemistry at the desired temperature during processing. Since E6 is usually done at higher temperatures than B&W, avoiding air conditioned or cold ambient temperatures is a factor. As Scott shows, simply using a large tub of warm water to keep chemistry ready is critical. Take your time and the results will be amazing. Also included in the podcast is a lesson on shooting copyslides, with slide film of course.

Profile: Foma

Foma is a long standing company first founded in 1921 as FOTOCHEMA Ltd. Initially producing only plates and chemistry, in 1931 the company began production of black-and-white papers, followed by the production of black and white roll films a year later. In 1949, the company introduced X-ray films, black and white positive copy film, reversal film, color paper, color negative film and color reversal film using the name National Enterprise FOTOCHEMA. In 1990, the company reorganized with the aim to produce black and white films and papers.

Film

Foma produces a line of negative and positive (slide) B&W films. With a choice of ISO 100, 200 and 400 speeds in negative film, a special Retro 320 negative film with a softer, lower contrast look and one ISO 100 reversal film, Fomapan R 100. The latter is a substitute for the former Agfa Scala and may be developed at dr5 Film Lab in the USA or with chemistry available from Foma.

[Update]
Note that most of the films are available in 120 and 35mm roll film formats and a variety of sheet film formats. Note that Fomapan R100 is available in single perforated 16mm, Double Standard (Regular) 8mm and Super8 movie film formats and 35mm cartridges or lengths of double perforated 35mm in bulk.

Papers

A wide range of papers is available. A baryta fibre base (FB) paper, FomaBrom comes in two grades (normal or contrast) and a Variant III multigrade paper. This is a fast paper, suitable for making large prints. FomaSpeed is an RC based paper again available in N or C grade or a multigrade version. FomaTone MG is a double weight FB paper with a warm tone, for portraits or retro-style work with three variants, two of which are multigrade papers. Foma also offers an NaCl paper, similar to Kodak Azo, called Fomalux 111, suitable for contact printing.

The papers are available in a variety of sizes and with a number of surface finishes, from glossy to matt and a some in between for most types.

As if such a wide variety of papers were not enough, Foma offers a liquid emulsion that can be painted on to most bases, such as wood, china, leather, etc. The emulsion has high sensitivity for large enlargements and has good hiding properties so that a wide range of tones is possible.

Chemistry

A wide range of developers is available, as well as a citric acid stop bath, fixers, toners and Fotonal, a wetting agent. Two items of note are Fomadon R09, a replacement for Rodinal and a processing set for Fomapan R100. The latter is a complete kit to process 8 rolls of the reversal film (at 333mL a roll). The toners are Fomatone Indigo, a one part toner that gives a blue cast to B&W prints, and Fonatone Sepia, which can give a traditional sepia tone to a violet-brown tone depending on processing.

Equivalents

Foma also has lists for competitor's equivalents. If you wish to compare a product from Ilford, Kodak, Agfa or Forte to a Foma product, click on the Competitor's Equivalents tab. Some of the lists are brief, others include extensive lists including equivalent chemistry, papers and films.

Availability

Foma exports to over 50 countries, with a presence in the USA at Foma USA, in the UK now at Process Supplies UK and in Germany and Austria online on Foma's online shop. Check your favorite online shop for more locations, such as Freestyle, B&H Photo and more.

Foma is a complete manufacturer for B&W film, chemistry and papers. Well worth checking out for your photo needs.

If you like this article, try these:

* Profile: Adox
* Ilford bought out by Pemberstone
* THIS Interviews Impossible Project
* CineStill Film
* Bergger Film for Large Format
* lford Ultra Large Format call for orders

Bad Film from Kodak

Once the paragon of film quality, Kodak roll film is damaged by images of numbers and other text. TOP reports that John Sexton has found several 120 format emulsions affected by the problem. See the May 2016 newsletter from John for more details. In particular, avoid 120 film bearing the following serial numbers as listed below.

Emulsion numbers that may exhibit the above problem only in Kodak 120 format roll film: (Emulsion numbers can be found on the film box, the foil wrapper, and printed on the clear edge of processed film near frame number 11.

Kodak T-Max 400
Emulsion 0148 004 through 0152

Kodak T-Max 100
Emulsion 0961 through 0981

Kodak Tri-X
Emulsion 0871 though 0931

Impossible Releases the I-Type Camera

The Impossible Project, makers of Polaroid compatible instant film, have finally released the Impossible I-1 analog instant camera. This camera is for the modern age, with an app for your iPhone that can control the settings of the camera and even trigger the shutter remotely. Both aperture and shutter can be controlled by the app, and even double exposures are possible. The camera features a ring flash and autofocus for evenly lit portraits, with no glare. This is the first Polaroid compatible camera for nearly twenty years. Along with the camera, a new I-type film is being introduced.

The I-type film is less expensive than the Polaroid compatible film, because it does not come with a battery. Impossible is also rolling out sweeping updates for all their films, that now develop twice as fast, and that come in new colour coded boxes, to make selecting the right film easier.

Kickstarter: Daguerrotype Lens Beats Stretch Goal

The Lomography Kickstarter for a modernized replica of the original Chevalier lens has exceeded all its stretch goals. On offer are not only the lens, but goodies such as prints, additional Waterhouse aperture plates, a red filter and now a leather pouch for the lens. By raising over $800,000 with time to spare, all the extras are now included. Lenses expect to start shipping by September, with more to follow in later months. There may be delays due to the sheer volume of lenses demanded. Offer ends May 10th.

IndieGoGo: Darkroom in Canada

Film aficionado and photographer, Allen Crooks, is raising money to open a darkroom for the public in Halifax, Canada. His goal is to preserve the art of photography by allowing anyone to experience the wonder of a darkroom. Additional space will be made for film photographers to meet and share experiences.

The project offers rewards, such as postcard prints and even a 20x24 silver print made from a large format negative of local scenery, so even those not living in Halifax may benefit from the fund raiser.

Film Ferrania Update, April 2016

The Film Ferrania project has made yet another announcement in their long road to producing film for the next 100 years. The latest news posts a video clip on the happenings since February. See the destruction of the "Big Boy" building and a dry run of the film coater. Everything seems to be working as intended.
Apart from that, the group announced that as of April 1st, 2016, Film Ferrania is now an officially certified manufacturer by the Italian governMent.
Those of you with Kickstarter rewards in this project should update your address information if it has changed in the couple of years since the fund raising effort.
The team will have further announcements once they are certain that there will be no further surprises on the way to producing film for the rewards.
Previous reports:

• News from LRF, February 2016
• News from LRF, Start of 2016
• Update from LRF, December 2015
• LRF Engines Restart
• News from LRF, July 2015
• Film Ferrania Delayed by Harsh Winter
• Film Ferrania Starts Towards Make the Rewards
  
  

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