Arista EDU 100

A new chapter in film comparisons, I look at the differences between Kodak Tri-X as our standard and Arista EDU 100. All films in these comparisons were shot using the same lighting and position, developed in Kodak D-76 using the manufacturer’s recommended time, and printed on Ilford Classic FB at 11x14 size using the same contrast settings. The printing time varied to cancel any changes in film base fog from film to film. I included the H&D curves for each film to see the individual differences and we look at the overall print, the spectral response of each film, and the grain characteristics.

Channel Merch, Discord, and more:

Join this channel to get access to perks:

[Austinite]

Thanks. I recently developed a roll in Rodinal 1-25 and was impressed with both fine grain and tonality. Arista now has a new 100 speed film called Arista Pan 100. Not an EDU film but German.

[giuseppeg.]

Thanks for this.

So some internet pundits claim this is Foma 100 - and the curves look indeed pretty similar. Interesting comment about the sharpness here though. You didn't notice the poor sharpness in your Foma 100 review (you noticed instead it was grainier than you'd have expected from a 100ISO film wrt Trix). For all we know (and we know little) the Arista could be b-stock or old-stock rebranded Foma - the Arista boxes don't follow Foma's batch numbering.

If both Foma and Arista were available to me, I'd go with Foma all the time - Foma 100 is absolutely gorgeous in Rodinal 1:50 regularly and gently inverted (NOT stand/semistand).

[NGC]

I've noticed with Tri-X that the mid's and highlights have extremely fine grain as opposed to the lower end which seems typically grainy for an ISO 400 film; The modern formulation is different than it was a few decades ago. I think Tri-X uses two different emulsion coatings with the finer grain layer on top that contributes to its apparent sharpness.

[szecek]

Isn't Arista Edu a rebranded Fomapan 100?

[dankoons]

thanks for your tests. The curves and color target really show important characteristics. Will you be comparing ortho side by side? I ordered Foma 400 ortho but will be braving a new world! Cheers Dan

[markhaney]

were your samples shot at the same aperture?? Or was the Tri-x closed down two stops creating more depth of field??

[tomstaunton]

I've quite literally peeled off the label on some fomapan 100 bought directly from Foma Bohemia, and saw an Arista Edu 100 canister printed canister underneath. Thanks for this roll by roll comparison series, I would've completely assumed they were the same if it wasn't for your work!

[Nobody-Nowhere]

I think this is Fomapan 100, the curve at least is identical.

[AdrianBacon]

The lack of sharpness is likely due to not having as good of an antihalation layer as 400TX. It’s finer grained for sure, but, doesn’t resolve as much.

[Kitsaplorax]

Is straight D76 the best developer here? Maybe D76 1:1 wouldn't have the grain softening results.

[ianhand]

I've tried Fomapan 100 in a Minox 8X11 camera, and it lacks the definition necessary for such a small format.

[adrielrowley]

Regarding large format, or maybe even medium format, if using a vintage lens that is not as razor sharp as modern glass, is there any disadvantage using a less sharp film, such as this Arista EDU?

Cheers,
Adriel

[wv_]

I noticed some (or all) 120 Foma sold in Czech Republic has U L T R A written on it, I assumed this was as it was because it was the exact same film and they manufacture it together

I would love to see a video series debunking a lot of the silly claims that films stocks are the same such as Kentmere 400, Agfa APX 400, Rollei RPX, and Ilford Pan 400 are the same film (which is ridiculous as some have wildly different development times)

[romyaz]

is it possible this film is less sensitive than advertised? it looks too contrasty here. maybe if you pull it to 50 or 25, the contrast curve will be less pronounced, there will be more latitude and the highlights will be more resolved - sharpness will improve

[VariTimo]

Double-X is still 5222. It’s either 72xx for Super 8 and 16mm or 52xx for 35mm and 65mm. Not 50.

[pdjdw]

I didn’t even know Arista was still alive.