Rollei RPX 400

Carl Hall

Carl Hall

Popular Poster
Registered User
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
64
Last night I finished my box of Fomapan 100, so some more film is needed. I loved Fomapan 100 because it was easy and cheap to learn on, and at 60-70 pence per sheet, I could shoot as much as I wanted. I have made a spreadsheet of films and prices at different places, and whilst I'm keen to stay on the cheaper end of the scale for the time being, I would like to try something new, and a bit faster.

I see that Rollei RPX can currently be had for about £26 for a box, meaning it's a bit more expensive than Fomapan 100 but still cheap enough not to have to worry about too much. I can't seem to find much about this film though, so I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried it in 4x5? If so, what are your thoughts?

Other options are Foamapan 400 but there is a lot of negative comments around the internet, so that's off the list. Foma Retropan 320 is also a possibility and is also dirt cheap, but again, not a lot online apart from comments about it being very soft. This leads me towards RPX but I'm keen to hear about other people's experiences, if there are any.
 
I have read that there is another company selling their own version of Fomapan which is cheaper still although the name I cannot remember.

How does Ilford delta compare in price ?
 
You can only get Delta 100 in 4x5. It's between £40 and£45/box, so quite a bit more. I like it, and was lucky enough to pick up a few boxes at about £30 each. It was short-dated, but is in the fridge and works fine.
I'm also keen to hear about the Rollei 400.
Alex


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
At £26 for 25 sheets it's nearly twice the price of Fomapan 100 Carl, I'm not sure I'd risk it in view of the scarcity of user reviews.
 
Ian-Barber said:
How does Ilford delta compare in price ?
Click to expand...

I've looked for Delta 400 in 4x5, but I can only find references to it being available a few years ago. A thread about it on APUG has an email from Ilford, indicating that the minimum they could make would be 15,500 boxes, and due to low sales it would almost certainly go off before they sold it all. Sad really, I'd jump all over Delta 400 if they sold it in 4x5.

I have a box of expired Delta 100 (exp 2012) in the fridge at home, which was a surprise free gift with my Nagaoka, but I'm after a faster film ideally.

Keith Haithwaite said:
At £26 for 25 sheets it's nearly twice the price of Fomapan 100 Carl, I'm not sure I'd risk it in view of the scarcity of user reviews.
Click to expand...

Hmm true, that's a good point. Although I don't mind paying a little bit more, and if I only shoot a few frames a week it's not too bad. What I don't want to do is to buy a film like Fuji Neopan which over £3 a sheet where I can find it! :eek:

I'll do a bit more digging and reading tonight and then have a think.
 
Ian-Barber said:
I have read that there is another company selling their own version of Fomapan which is cheaper still although the name I cannot remember.
Click to expand...

Freestylephoto.biz sells rebranded Foma 100 and 400 as Arista.EDU 100 and 400, respectively. It's quite a bit cheaper than the real Foma product.
 
Karl, if you want something faster than Fomapan 100, there is Fomapan 200. And I wouldn't be put off by comments about Foma 400. I have used quite a it of it and like it a lot. It has lots of character, but doesn' suit everything. But worth a try.

Alan
 
I have no experience of Rollei RPX 400. But I am using Rollei 400 IR at the moment. I have found the base to be the thinnest I have come across. Almost like stiffish cling film. It wont stay in the grooves of the combiplan holder or the Mod 54. So going to tray develop the next batch. I dont know if Rollei are coating the different emulsions on the same (PET?)base. But It is something I would take into consideration. This is probably the last box I will use, sticking to 120 in the future. I use HP5+ when I want a bit more speed. I know its a bit pricey, but there is a reason for it. It is very good.
Cheers
Diz
 
For the UK chaps, Out of interest what are you paying for Fomapan 100 5x4 (50 sheets)
 
I,m paying 32 yoyos a box, 42 yoyos for FP4+ and HP5+.
Cheers
Diz
 
Ian, for interest sake... Arista.EDU Ultra 100 (aka Foma 100) is $35.69 per 50 sheet box (quite a bit less than the $62.99 I just paid for a box of Foma 100) and the 400 variety is $38.89. Of course, you would have to see about shipping cost, import, etc, but just thought I'd mention it.
 
OK, not Fomapan, but out of interest I just looked at the costs of HP5 from B&H whom I've dealt with before. The cost of 25 sheets is $32.90 (£38.33 from Silverprint). Where the big difference comes is the $13.51 shipping and the whopping $31.01 duty and tax. It seems that we should be doubling up US prices to allow for UK tax. I don't know how B&H compare on film etc., but I suspect that the duty and tax are out of their hands.
 
Keith Haithwaite said:
I've used them several times, including buying Fomapan 100, and have no complaints. Delivery is by second class so it's at the mercy of the delivery service.
Click to expand...

Awesome, I was going to give them a try anyway but now I definitely will. Thanks :)

I don't mind waiting a few days for delivery if it keeps the cost down. Nothing annoys me more than shops that charge a set fixed price for next day delivery, with no other options. For example Silverprint is £5.95 and Firstcall is £7.99 when bought online! £7.99 to have a small box of film delivered is ridiculous.
 
I've just picked up a box for under £25 off eBay. Will try it out and report back. It should be here by Tuesday.
Alex.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well, just over a year later and I’ve finally opened that box of Rollei RPX400. I used several sheets at the weekend.
The first thing I noticed was the thin base. It feels very flimsy. I did, however, manage to load it with no real problems. I used it for portraits, and developed it in Ilford Microphen stock for the time in the Massive Dev chart. I had rated it at 200. The results were good. The skin tones came out very well. I suspect it is quite a low contrast emulsion which I think is good for portraits. It is also quite fine grained. I intended processing it in an Orbital, and loaded the tank with four sheets, which was no problem. I then changed my mind, as I had a total of six sheets, so moved them into a MOD54. I managed that, although I felt the thin sheets could be easily damaged in handling. I was pleased with the negatives. They sit flat in a glassless carrier, and print well. I would post examples, but the sitters (family) wouldn’t be happy. I know that some people just won’t get on with the thin base, but it didn’t really cause me any problem. The overall quality was good, and I would recommend trying this film if you’re looking for something a bit different at the cheaper end of the market.
Alex


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top