Fomapan Action 400 35mm B&W Film - 36exp

Choose Fomapan 400 Action when you want an affordable ISO 400 black & white film with a recognisably traditional photographic look. Its biggest attraction is its balance of speed, flexibility and character. ISO 400 is fast enough for general handheld photography while still working comfortably in daylight. Fomapan 400 also produces more obvious grain than finer-grained films such as Ilford Delta 400. For photographers who enjoy a classic, textured black & white appearance, this can be an important part of its appeal. It is also an excellent film for photographers learning manual exposure, home development and push processing, because it allows plenty of experimentation without the cost of more premium professional films.

Start at ISO 400. Box speed is the simplest starting point for predictable results. Give the shadows enough exposure. Heavy underexposure can reduce shadow detail and make grain more obvious. Try rating it at EI 200 or 320. Giving the film slightly more exposure can help produce fuller shadows and smoother negatives. Push when you need extra speed. Fomapan 400 can be exposed at higher effective speeds and developed accordingly, although grain and contrast will increase. Tell your lab when pushing. If you shoot the film above ISO 400, tell the lab which exposure index you used so they can adjust development. Use strong light creatively. Directional sunlight, window light, shadows and silhouettes work particularly well with its traditional monochrome character. Expect visible grain. Fomapan 400 is not intended to look ultra-clean. Its grain is part of the film's aesthetic. Try yellow, orange or red filters outdoors. These can increase tonal separation and darken blue skies. Remember that filter exposure compensation may be required. Use a tripod in very low light. ISO 400 is relatively fast, but dark interiors and night scenes can still require slower shutter speeds. Scan at good resolution. High-quality scanning helps preserve fine detail while retaining the film's characteristic grain. Fomapan 400 Action requires conventional black & white development.