Foma Ortho 400 is a black and white film from FOMA BOHEMIA spol. s r.o. The production of the film is carried out by Foma in the Czech Republic. It was introduced in May 2023. At the time of its launch, it was only available in medium format.
The Foma Ortho 400 is orthochromatically sensitized and features excellent resolution, definition and fine grain. Thanks to its high optical sensitivity, photographers can take excellent pictures even in unfavorable lighting conditions and with shorter exposure times. Its nominal optical sensitivity is ISO 400/27°, but offers a wide exposure tolerance. This means that the film will give good results even with an overexposure of 1.5 EV and an underexposure of 2 EV.
Thanks to its typical tonal character, the Foma Ortho 400 is particularly suitable for artistically stylized portrait photography. Its high spectral sensitivity in the green part of the visible spectrum makes it particularly useful for landscape photography.
Development of the film
The Foma Ortho 400 must be processed in a black and white developer. There are various developers that can be used with the film.
Development times
| Developer | Dilution | ISO | Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-76 | Stock | ISO 400 | 7-8 min | 20 °C |
| D-76 | Stock | ISO 400 | 2:30 min | 30 °C |
| Fomadon LQN | 1+10 | ISO 400 | 8:30-10 min | 20 °C |
| Fomadon LQN | 1+10 | ISO 400 | 4 min | 30 °C |
| Fomadon R09 | 1+50 | ISO 400 | 10-12 min | 20 °C |
| Fomadon P | Stock | ISO 400 | 9:30-10:30 min | 20 °C |
| Fomadon P | Stock | ISO 400 | 6 min | 30 °C |
| Fomadon Excel | Stock | ISO 400 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| Fomadon Excel | Stock | ISO 400 | 2 min | 30 °C |
| Ilford Microphen | Stock | ISO 400 | 8-9 min | 20 °C |
| Ilford Microphen | Stock | ISO 400 | 3:30 min | 30 °C |
| Ilford Perceptol | Stock | ISO 400 | 9-10:30 min | 20 °C |
| Ilford Perceptol | Stock | ISO 400 | 4 min | 30 °C |
| Ilford ID 11 | Stock | ISO 400 | 7-8 min | 20 °C |
| Ilford ID 11 | Stock | ISO 400 | 2:30 min | 30 °C |
| Tetenal Ultrafin Plus | 1+4 | ISO 400 | 7-8 min | 20 °C |
| Tetenal Ultrafin Plus | 1+4 | ISO 400 | 2:30 min | 30 °C |
| Tetenal Ultrafin Liquid | 1+20 | ISO 400 | 13-14:30 min | 20 °C |
| Tetenal Ultrafin Liquid | 1+20 | ISO 400 | 4:30 min | 30 °C |
| Xtol | Stock | ISO 400 | 7 min | 20 °C |
| Xtol | Stock | ISO 400 | 2 min | 30 °C |
Calculation of the development solution
| Dilution | Developer (ml) | Water (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 500 | 0 |
| 1+10 | 45 | 455 |
| 1+50 | 10 | 490 |
| 1+4 | 100 | 400 |
| 1+20 | 24 | 476 |
Recommendations for development
Light Protection: The film can be treated briefly under indirect light protection with a wavelength of 585 nm or higher. However, green or deep olive green light or filters should be avoided.
Development: FOMA Ortho 400 can be processed in all common negative developers. Recommended development times vary depending on developer used and temperature.
Fixing: It is recommended to fix the film at a temperature of 18 to 25 °C for 11 minutes in a standard acidic fixer or at least 3.5 minutes in Fomafix quick fixer.
Washing: The film should be washed in running water.
Formats
The film's only film format is medium format. There is a wide range of different camera models available when you decide on a medium format camera. Agfa, Yashica and Lomography, among others, offer suitable options.
The Foma Ortho 400 is offered exclusively on a 120 spool in 60mm wide 120 roll film. The base of the film is a bluish polyester material, 0.1mm thick, with no antihalation layer. Unexposed film should be stored in its original packaging in a cool, dry place.
