Foma Fomapan 400

B&W NegativeISO 400

Characteristics

  • Grain: medium
  • Contrast: medium
  • Latitude: wide
  • Formats available: 35mm, 120

Fomapan 400 is Foma Bohemia's fast B&W film at ISO 400 — the value-conscious alternative to Tri-X 400 and HP5 Plus. Fomapan 400 has been continuously produced in the Czech Republic for decades; it delivers comparable quality to mainstream alternatives at significantly lower cost, making it popular with high-volume photographers (workshops, schools, students).

Key features

  • ISO 400 rated; medium-coarse cubic grain (visibly coarser than Tri-X or HP5+)
  • Neutral palette with slight cool lean
  • Wide latitude (±1½ stops)
  • Lower cost than Ilford/Kodak alternatives — typically 30-40% cheaper per roll
  • Available in 35mm, 120, and 4×5 sheet in current production
  • Standard B&W development

Workflow

  • Box-speed development: D-76 1:1 at 11 min, HC-110 Dil B at 6:30
  • Push to EI 800 acceptable; EI 1600 produces visible grain
  • Pull to EI 200 in dilute developer
  • Standard fix and wash

Practical notes

  • Fomapan 400 is the high-volume / cost-conscious fast B&W choice — workshops, school darkrooms, photographers shooting many rolls
  • Quality-control variance is slightly higher than Ilford/Kodak — occasionally a roll will show emulsion irregularities that wouldn't appear on premium alternatives
  • Available in 4×5 sheet — one of the few cost-effective fast B&W sheet films in current production
  • Cold storage extends shelf life

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