Fomapan 200 120 BW Film – Classic & Reliable Quality

Introduction:

When it comes to medium format film photography, few options balance fine grain, excellent tonal range, and affordability as well as Fomapan 200 120 BW Film. Manufactured by Foma Bohemia, a Czech company with nearly a century of expertise in photographic materials, this film is designed for photographers who demand both quality and creative flexibility.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the features, benefits, technical details, and practical uses of Fomapan 200 120 BW Film. Whether you are an analog enthusiast, a professional photographer, or a student experimenting in the darkroom, this film offers an outstanding balance of performance and value.

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What is Fomapan 200 120 BW Film?

Fomapan 200 120 BW Film is a black-and-white negative film specifically designed for medium format cameras. It has a nominal sensitivity of ISO 200/24°, making it suitable for diverse lighting conditions—both indoors and outdoors. Unlike slower films (ISO 100) or higher-speed options (ISO 400), Fomapan 200 120 BW Film sits comfortably in the middle. It offers a perfect balance of speed and grain: fine enough for enlargements, yet versatile enough for handheld shooting. Learn more about Black and White Photography on Wikipedia.

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Key Features of Fomapan 200 120 BW Film

• Medium Speed (ISO 200): A versatile option that works well in daylight and controlled lighting.
• Fine Grain Structure: Produces sharp, detailed negatives ideal for enlargements.
• Wide Exposure Latitude: Handles underexposure and overexposure better than many films.
• Smooth Tonal Gradation: Classic black-and-white rendering with rich midtones.
• Flexible Development Options: Compatible with a wide range of developers, including Foma, Ilford, and Adox chemistry.

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Technical Specifications

• Film Type: Black & White Negative
• Format: 120 (Medium Format)
• Speed: ISO 200 / 24° DIN
• Base: Polyester for stability and archival quality
• Processing: Standard black-and-white chemistry (D-76, ID-11, Fomadon, Rodinal, etc.)

For more technical data, you can visit the official Foma Bohemia website.

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Why Choose Fomapan 200 120 BW Film?

Photographers worldwide appreciate Fomapan 200 120 BW Film for its balance between performance, cost, and aesthetic quality. Unlike premium-priced films, this stock offers professional-level results at a much more affordable rate, making it a favorite among students and hobbyists.

1. Versatility in Lighting Conditions

With ISO 200, you can shoot comfortably in daylight, cloudy weather, or under studio lights.

2. Excellent for Enlargements

Thanks to its fine grain, Fomapan 200 120 BW Film produces crisp enlargements without excessive noise.

3. Flexible Development Options

This film responds beautifully to different developers:

• Standard developers like Kodak D-76 or Ilford ID-11 for balanced results.
• High-acutance developers like Rodinal for sharpness.
• Fine grain developers like Fomadon Excel for smoother negatives.

 Explore our range of Black & White Developers at Onestopphoto.in

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Creative Potential of Fomapan 200 120 BW Film

The wide exposure latitude of this film means you can experiment without fear of ruined shots. Overexpose slightly for soft, dreamy tones or underexpose for dramatic contrast. This makes Fomapan 200 120 BW Film particularly popular among photographers exploring street photography, portraits, and fine art projects.

For those who print traditionally in the darkroom, its negatives pair wonderfully with multigrade papers, giving you control over contrast levels. Browse our collection of Photo Papers for your printing needs.

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Comparisons with Other Films

• Fomapan 100 120 BW Film – Offers finer grain and slightly higher sharpness, best for controlled lighting.
• Fomapan 400 120 BW Film – Higher speed for low light or action shots, though with more grain.
• Ilford HP5+ 120 Film – A popular alternative at ISO 400, but at a higher price point.
• Kodak Tri-X 120 Film – Legendary tonal range, but more expensive compared to Foma.

This makes Fomapan 200 120 BW Film the ideal middle ground, balancing quality, flexibility, and affordability.

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Darkroom & Home Developing

If you enjoy home developing, this film is an excellent choice. It is compatible with a wide variety of chemicals:

• Developers: Fomadon, D-76, ID-11, Rodinal
• Fixers: Foma Fix P U1 – reliable and archival safe
• Stop Baths & Wetting Agents: Standard black-and-white chemistry

 Browse our full range of Darkroom Chemicals to complete your workflow.

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Who Should Use Fomapan 200 120 BW Film?

• Medium format photographers looking for a reliable everyday stock
• Students learning analog photography
• Artists and fine art photographers exploring creative tones
• Enthusiasts seeking affordable but high-quality black-and-white film

Its classic rendering style and forgiving exposure latitude make it ideal for both beginners and advanced photographers.

Learn More About Photography

• Wikipedia – Black-and-white photography
• Foma Bohemia – Fomapan 200 Creative

Internal Resources (Onestopphoto.in)

• Black & White Developers
• Photo Papers
• Foma Fix P U1
• Darkroom Chemicals

Conclusion

Fomapan 200 120 BW Film is a versatile, reliable, and affordable option for medium format photographers. With its fine grain, wide tonal range, and excellent flexibility in both exposure and development, it is the perfect choice for anyone seeking to explore or refine their craft in black-and-white photography. Whether you are printing in the darkroom or scanning for digital processing, this film guarantees consistent and beautiful results. Shop Fomapan 200 120 BW Film today at Onestopphoto.in and explore the best in analog photography supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What type of photography is Fomapan 200 120 BW Film best suited for?

Fomapan 200 is ideal for portraits, street photography, landscapes, studio shoots, and fine-art projects. Its ISO 200 speed makes it versatile for both outdoor and controlled lighting setups.

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2. Is Fomapan 200 120 BW Film good for beginners?

Yes. Thanks to its wide exposure latitude, forgiving nature, and affordable price, it’s one of the best medium-format films for students and beginners learning black-and-white photography.

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3. Which developers work best with Fomapan 200 120 BW Film?

This film works perfectly with most popular B&W developers:
• Kodak D-76 / Ilford ID-11 – balanced contrast and grain
• Rodinal – high sharpness
• Fomadon Excel – fine grain and smooth tones
• HC-110 – crisp and clean negatives

Its flexibility is a major reason photographers love it.

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4. Can I push or pull Fomapan 200 during development?

Yes. Fomapan 200 can be pushed to ISO 400 with increased contrast or pulled to ISO 100 for finer grain. This makes it a great choice for creative exposure experimentation.

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5. How is Fomapan 200 different from Fomapan 100 and 400?

• Fomapan 100 – Finer grain, best for controlled lighting
• Fomapan 200 – Balanced grain + versatility (best all-rounder)
• Fomapan 400 – Higher speed for low light but more grain

Fomapan 200 sits perfectly in the middle, offering quality and flexibility.

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6. Is Fomapan 200 suitable for making large enlargements?

Absolutely. With its fine grain and sharpness, this film can produce clean, detailed enlargements, especially when developed in fine-grain developers like D-76 or Fomadon Excel.

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7. What cameras are compatible with Fomapan 200 120 BW Film?

Any medium-format camera that uses 120 roll film is compatible, including:
• Mamiya RB67 / RZ67
• Hasselblad 500 series
• Pentax 67
• Bronica SQ / ETR series
• Rolleiflex / Yashica TLRs
• Fuji GW/GSW series

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8. Does Fomapan 200 scan well for digital workflow?

Yes. Fomapan 200 produces high-contrast, clean negatives that scan beautifully on both flatbed and dedicated film scanners. Its tonal range gives excellent flexibility for digital edits.