luis
Hello,
I have a question: I have a few Fomapan slides that I’d like to print in black and white. How can I do this and what do I need (not via Ilfochrome, as that’s so expensive)? I know that Tetenal used to have a slide kit that also worked with Vario Comfort paper, but that’s no longer available.
Oh, and I only have a very old black-and-white enlarger...
Best regards,
Luis.
PS: Unfortunately, my German isn’t very good. I hope you’ve understood everything :(
Gast
Hello Luis,
You have two options: reverse development on paper. There are various methods in use (e.g. Spence/Worobiec’s ‘Beyond Monochrome’)
or
an internegative and contact printing. The internegative can also be made on paper. This is the simplest method using a standard darkroom, as you only need the equipment you’d normally use.
Print the slide onto paper at final size (reversed) > contact copying of the emulsion layer by layer. For the internegative, of course, don’t use 300g museum baryta but thin PE. Standard paper such as Kodak Polymax or Tetenal Work will do. Or use Maco GPF instead of paper. I would advise against using normal panchromatic film for the internegative for the time being, as handling it (in the dark!) is a faff.
Regards
Martin
CPD
Hello Martin,
I asked the same question as Luis some time ago in another forum and was told, amongst other things, that paper negatives would result in blurriness in the positive. Is that true?
By the way, I intend to shoot only slides from now on (B&W & colour).
The few enlargements I need, I’ll do on Ilfochrome – unfortunately very expensive – and the rest will be scanned, which I hope will work out.
I’m still on the lookout for a suitable film stock for large format, though; otherwise there’s always Foma. Incidentally, there’s quite a lot online about making your own reversal developer, including the process, which is admittedly quite time-consuming.
Working with internegatives is always a struggle – what am I saying, a struggle? – a war! – against the dust, and I’ve never managed to get it properly clean in the past.
Regards, CP
mau
I’d keep it simple: have the slides scanned, then just transfer them to a CD or digital camera card at the nearest chemist’s. I tried doing this online using Pixaco once and was happy with the result. Some specialist labs will even print the whole lot onto baryta paper for you.
Gast
Hi CP,
Of course, the out-of-focus issue can be resolved.
If you follow my instructions and apply the emulsion layers one by one, there won’t be any out-of-focus areas.
Putting the backing between the emulsion layers will, of course, cause out-of-focus areas.
Best regards,
Martin
mau
As mentioned earlier, there is a good guide to the SW slide process on the SW Magazine website.
In terms of film stock, virtually any film used for 35mm photography will do, provided it is available in the required sizes.
According to Maco, Rollei R3 film is also suitable for slide processing. Given the price of the film, however, that is to be expected.
cfb_de
Is the Rü actually still available as roll film at all, following the issues with Forte?
Best regards,
Franz
Gast
Hello,
Is the R3 actually made by Forte? I thought it was made by Agfa (though that wouldn’t exactly be reassuring either).
Roland
cfb_de
Hello Roland,
As far as I know, the film comes from a former TägeräTgen film factory and is presumably packaged as 135 format by Tura, whilst the 120 format is not packaged in either Germany or England. That leaves Foma, Forte and Fotokemika. Foma and Fotokemika do not produce films for other labels, just as Agfaphoto does not produce films using emulsions other than its own.
Best regards
Franz
Gast
Hello Franz,
If you’re fairly certain that the film isn’t manufactured by Agfa, then it’s indeed unlikely that it’s packaged there.
However, I can’t necessarily confirm the conclusion that Forte packages the roll film, because in principle, Wephota in Germany, for example, would also be a possibility; the technical facilities exist there, and who’s to say that Fotokemika or Forte wouldn’t make an exception (they wouldn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops).
Besides, there are other packagers and factories abroad; what’s to say they aren’t packaged by Azomures, Svema, or someone else?
Best regards,
Roland
Gast
Not even make an exception
for Fotokemika or Forte
– I meant Fotokemika and Foma, of course!
cfb_de
Hello Roland,
On the one hand, I’m absolutely certain of this; on the other hand, this film must still qualify as ‘Made in Germany’, meaning that the majority of the value added must take place in Germany and the rest within the EU.
This rules out Romania and Ukraine, partly because their manufacturing processes aren’t stable enough.
As far as I know, the Wernigerode-based company only manufactures sheet films and plates themselves and sources the rest from suppliers such as Fotokemika or Foma.
Best regards,
Franz
