Polypan F

The Polypan F is a black and white film. Where the film comes from and who in exactly manufacturer is not really clear. On the packaging there is only the name Polystar and the imprint “Made in EC” (= European Community, European Union). It is assumed that it is actually produced as a copy film for cinemas. In any case, it is not identical to Ilford’s Pan F, although the same developing times can be used.

The big advantage, and probably the main reason for using the film, is the price. The price per roll of film, depending on the dealer, is well under one euro. This makes it one of the cheapest films, if not the cheapest film.

The Polypan F is only available as 35mm film and only by the meter. This means that you can only buy it as a long roll of film on a spool. You have to wind it yourself into old or newly bought empty cartridges. This is most easily done with a film loader, as the film must be completely protected from light.

Unfortunately, there is a problem when using a film loader. Polypan F is only available in packs of at least 90 meters and most film loaders will not fit more than 30 meters. Solution, you split the film and wind part of the large roll onto an empty one.

As the name implies, the film carrier is polyester. This is quite easy to handle after development. Unlike other films, the developed film still smells a bit like chemicals and plastic. Film numbers or other markings on the film edge are missing on the Polypan F.

The sensitivity of the 35mm film is specified as ISO 50. However, you can push it to ISO 100. If you want to use it on a cloudy day, you should either have a fast lens or use a flash.

Images with the Polypan F are quite fine-grained with normal sharpness. The highlights sometimes tend to be a bit overblown, as with the Lucky SHD 100 New. Results can vary depending on exposure and development, of course.

Development of the film

Times for developing Polypan F film.

Calculation of the development solution
How much development solution do you need?

Sample photos

Developed in Kodak XTOL (1+3) for 25 minutes at 20 deg.

The image was developed in Rodinal at a mixing ratio of 1+50 for 17 min at 20 degrees.

Exposed to ISO 100 and developed in Rodinal (1+50) for 17 minutes at 20 degrees and scanned with the Canoscan 9000F

All sample photos were taken with the Canon AE-1 and the film was exposed to ISO 100.

The picture was taken with the Polypan F, exposed in the Nikon F501 AF and developed in Kodak XTOL (7 min, stock, 20 degrees)

Rodinal (R09) - 1+50 - 13 min - 20 degrees

Taken with an Olympus OM 2 with a 50 mm f/1.4. ISO setting was ISO 50. Film was expired. Developed in Rodinal (R09 One Shot) for 13 minutes at a mix ratio of 1+50. Digitized with a Canon Canoscan 9000F (eBay / Amazon*).

Olympus OM-2, Polypan F, Ars Imago MB Mono Bath, 8 min