RoughGrey
Dear Fotoimpex members and collaborators,
The Foma R100 film and the accompanying reversal kit I ordered arrived today. Specifically, these are the narrow-gauge versions in Double Super 8 and Double Normal 8 (uncut 16mm x 10.5m), which are now waiting to prove their worth this weekend in old Bolex and Quarz cameras.
However, the instructions for the reversal kit that I studied in preparation do not exactly inspire confidence. Without the additional information contained in this forum, I would certainly be in trouble. Nevertheless, a few points remain unclear:
What is the capacity of the reversal kit? The catalogue mentions something about 4 films measuring 16mm x 10.5m. The English instructions state 2 of these films. The German version, however, specifies 2 films measuring 30.5m in length, which would correspond to 6 of the shorter films. So which is correct?
According to my calculations, the 10.5m narrow-gauge film has three times the surface area of a standard 35mm film, and the 30.5m narrow-gauge film has three times that again, making it a total of nine times larger than a 35mm film. Yet are we supposed to be able to develop two of these in a single batch?
What dilution should the individual baths be prepared at? For the 35mm version, the German instructions specify a dilution of 1+9 (except for the fixer), whilst the English version specifies 1+10. For the longer films, however, a dilution of 1+5.4 is specified. Yet the processing times are identical! How can this be?
Am I making a clear calculation error somewhere here, or are the instructions actually confusing?
Marco
Christoph
Hello RoughGrey,
I use the Foma reversal kit to develop 35mm films. So unfortunately I can’t tell you anything about the capacity for 8mm film. One kit is used for 8 rolls of 35mm film, as stated.
Regarding the dilution: I use the dilution as specified in German and get very good results with it. As the film stock is the same, whether it’s narrow-gauge or 35mm, this should work fine for you too.
Best regards
Chris
RoughGrey
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your reply, even if it doesn’t quite provide me with the reference I need for my questions about narrow-gauge film. ;)
But it’s probably best to follow the guidelines for 35mm film. Given that my Lomo tank requires a total of 1800 cc of chemicals to perform the development of two 10-metre lengths of D8 or DS8 film, this means I’d need six times the amount of chemicals for a roll of 35mm film. That would also be consistent with my calculation of the film ratios, but it doesn’t match either the other information in the package leaflet or the details in the catalogue.
Perhaps the other narrow-gauge film enthusiasts here can comment on this, or even Mirko himself, who surely had a reason for stating ‘4 narrow-gauge films’ in the catalogue. But he’s probably got other things on his mind with the new ‘Forte’ project... ;)
Marco
