Foma in Rodinal

Back in 2024 I was given a random roll of Foma 100, I didn’t even know if it was a viable film, already exposed, or fogged. I shot it anyway and then decided to develop it in Rodinal stand. I got what I thought were rather good results from it. You can read that post here.

While on a recent holiday to the Isle of Wight, I used up the last of my bulk loaded Ilford Delta 100, so on return, my next film to be used up (in date order) was a bulk length of Foma 200. I’ve used it before and liked it – hence I purchased a 30.5m length at the time. I got more out of it than expected, and this was my test roll from the last bit of film, that turned out to be about 24 exp. Having exposed the roll I decided that I’d process in “Rodinal Stand”, as with the previous Foma 100, and am happy to report I got the same results I like.

Foma 200, unlike the 100 or the 400 claims to use T-Grain technology, same as Ilford’s Delta or Kodak’s T -Max, maybe! I’ve heard talk of it being a “Hybrid Emulsion” that combines both T-Grain technology and traditional cubic grain. Certainly Google Ai overview suggests “It uses flat “tabular-grain” (or T-crystal) technology, but combines it with traditional grain characteristics” but then goes on to point out “AI responses may include mistakes” umm. Either way, it looks sharp to me, there is a little grain, but no more than I would expect from a 200 speed film. Of course the other obvious bonus is the cost! In round figures I paid £59 for 30.5m, plus £6 postage, (Bristol Cameras), got 20 rolls out of it, so £3:25 a roll. Pretty good! Is Delta better – yes, but it’s also 3 times the price! Pays your money, makes your choice!

For development I measured 600ml of water, 6ml of Rodinal measured with a syringe and squirted in and stirred well. In my case it’s Adonal, same stuff, different trade name! It’s legendary for it’s keeping properties. I opened my bottle in October 23, it’s gone dark in colour but I’ve noticed no change in performance at all! Using it at the rate of 6ml a time, this is just as well as it’s going to take me time to finish the bottle!! I’ve tried an hour and a quarter but for me that’s too long, I find the negs at 1 hour about right for my taste. I agitate for 1 minute, leave until the 20 min mark and give three inversions, do the same at 40 min mark, and then pour out and stop at 60 mins. In between times the tank is just sat in a tray of 20°c water. I suppose technically this is really EMA development (Extreme Minimal Agitation) rather than Stand. Either way, I like the combination and it’s how I shall proceed with the remaining film!