I don't usually like 400ISO films, but really that's in 35mm. In this 120 format you get much nicer results (in my mind) with the large negatives, and this is a completely dependable, affordable film, with really nice contrast. And, of course, some superb packaging.

Fomapan 400 in Retro Packageing

I was interested in trying out Foma since it is a classic film stock that has been widely used by film photographers for many years. Foma are not new kids in the playground they have been around the block a few times. According to their advertising Foma has been producing photographic materials. Since 1921 I particularity liked the retro cardboard boxes the film was supplied in that celebrate 100 years of Foma film. The box design seemed to compliment the reasons I wanted to try out the film.

According to the film’s data sheet on the Foma web site “due to its wide exposure latitude the film gives good results even when overexposed by 1 EV (exposure value)” - as ISO 200 - “or underexposed by 2 EV” - as ISO 1600 - “without any change in processing” This very wide exposure latitude makes it a very robust and forgiving film stock. It will deliver the goods no mater what the photographer throws at it.

In researching this film stock I looked at several on line reviews both text and video where photographers were recommending shooting Foma at half its box speed. So far I’ve shot 2 rolls at ISO400 the box speed and one roll at ISO200. I used my Bronica SQ-A for this with metering built into the prism viewfinder.

The two rolls at ISO400 were used to document a local anti-racism march on a very wet grey day. I really needed the speed that ISO400 provided to get manage down motion blur from my hand held shots and the subjects movement; also, to get an aperture that would give me a reasonable depth of field. Since I was using a prime lens I had to keep moving about to get a reasonable composition, while others shooting with a 35mm or digital were just standing still zooming in and out with their lenses.

Using a prime lens in this kind of environment requires a lot of patience and self discipline. Many times I got to a good position for a shot and was just using the cameras metering to set the shutter speed, when suddenly a couple of arms holding out mobile phones would appear in the centre of my view or someone carrying digital camera would walk into the centre of my composition to photograph the same subject.

The roll at ISO200 was a little more relaxed. I went to my local park to capture some landscapes and the early signs of spring. Here I had a lot more control over the composition and how I positioned myself for the shot.

I developed the three films with Pyro 510 and scanned them on my Epson V550. The results I obtained were very much in line with what other reviewers have reported and the information in the film’s data sheet. I got good images at both ISO400 and at ISO200. The difference between them is the amount of shadow detail and tonal range.

My impression of shooting at box speed is that it produces noisy high contrast images. To me these have the look of news and documentary images from the 1960/70s. The demo I shot has, for me, the look of a cheaply made 1960’s radical newspaper or pamphlet.

The images at ISO200 look to me to be much more controlled and detailed. If shooting at this speed I think a lot care is needed to protect from blown highlights. While there is great depth of detail and mid-tone range available care in metering is needed to prevent loss of detail in the highlights.

Overall a fun film to work with. It is very robust and can return results in difficult circumstances but to get the best from it you need to work with it to build on its strengths. Think about how you want to meter it and plan out the composition if you want to bring out the best in this film stock.

Lovely film stock and still fairly cheap, been great as a beginner of medium format to have a good looking yet affordable film to shoot with.

While I do like Fomapan’s 200 and 400 offerings, I lean slightly towards Kentmere at those speeds for a budget offering. But this 100 is absolutely cracking, even before you factor in the price.

Run through a Yashica 635, and developed with ID-11 at 1+3 to see what the sharpness would be like, while hoping it wouldn’t create distracting grain on a 100, and I was blown away by the results.

Add in the brilliant retro packaging (just switch to that permanently Fomapan!) and this might be my new, frequent shooting, medium format option.

Super pleased with the Fomapan 400. The pictures have come out really clearly, if heavily vignetted, using a Holga 120N on a bright Autumn day. The retro packaging is a huge plus, and the price means I’ll definitely be using this film again, but with the frame size mask in.

Should you buy a film based on the packaging alone? Probably not, but if you already know Fomapan, and you have the chance to get the retro packaging, well why wouldn't you?

It's so much nicer than the usual packaging I don't know why they don't change it permanently....

The film itself is really strong. Nice grain, reasonable contrast (I think I prefer the contrast of Kentmere 200, but depends on the subject), though I think on my pack the start arrow might have been in the wrong place, because I got 11 and a half shots, rather than the 12.

Shots from a Yashica 635.

Well not exactly, it doesn't say "Fomapan is a good solid brand and you can't really go wrong" - but you get the jist.

If you like your super decent trustworthy black and white then fomapan is always reliable.

Considering I used a Holga 120 and still got relatively decent quality is testimony to the film itself

its a pretty box, brightens up my fridge. the film is a fine budget job, you can blast away and not break the bank .Its pretty good as well, forgiving and easy to process.

I love the fomapan films, so I had to get it in 400 and it's just as reliable and cheap. I recommend foma films, especially if you're on a budget. I've tried all the 120 films so it's time I get some 35

I love Fomapan film, I always use the 200 and I decided to try 400 and 100 iso films and they're just as good. Versatile in different lighting and good results and also cheaper! Plus I love the retro packaging 😍

I bought this 120 film to test my 1938 Selfix-20.
I used it during a weekend in Liverpool, staying at the original Liverpool airport, where the Beatles landed after their successful American tour. As the camera was untested I had to judge settings, but the film worked well, with additional bonus that the box looks great in the display too!

Good beginner film