Curly film
21:00
Just a quick note, maybe only for myself as note for the future, who knows. I have heard from more people (mostly from US/Canada), that Fomapan films are curling too much and they have problems to scan them or but them anywhere flat. Well I was just scanning Kodak 125PX. It was curling like a hell when I was putting it to development tank. And now it is almost impossible to keep it flat for scanning. It always jump out before I close holder on Minolta 5400.
There was something specific on this film, which let me think. This film I have got as gift from friend. Film was about 5-10 years after expiration. So rather old. Maybe you guys from US/Canada are buying these Foma films rather old. Maybe not expired, but maybe these films already spent some time on shelfs. And that is reason for curling.
I never had curling problem with Foma films. I buy them fresh in Prague. When I buy them they still have 2-4 years to expiration sometimes more. After development they are holding flat like any other film. When I was using Kodak 125 PX regularly, it was also fresh and I also didn’t have any problem with curling. So really maybe if the film is long time in container it just keep that curl form when out of it ;-)
And I have the same problem with HIE infrared film. The curl is tremendous. It wants to jump out of the 5400 holder. The only thing I found that helps a bit is to load it on the wider Paterson tank reels as opposed to the narrower Jobo reels which I normally use.
I am using Paterson tank Dave, but it doesn’t help. Maybe your HIE has also its time somewhere on shelf.
Hm, my Fomapan 200 was also fresh, but curly like hell (pardon my French). 120 format, though; never tried 35mm. Forte (may they rest in peace) was also curly; never had that problem with Ilford. Then again: your “drying ritual” may be of big influence. Humidity, temperature, etc. etc.; it all matters…
Richard, I use Fomapan 200 in 35mm and 120 — it is only the 120 that is curly, and I have given up on that and now use Acros or Neopan 400 — but the 35mm Fomapan is perfectly easy to work with.