Film specifications#
- Manufacturer
- Foma
- Film
- Fomapan Special
- Speed
- 800
- Process
- B&W
- Formats
- 135-36, 120
- Base
- Triacetate
- Made in
- Czechoslovakia
- Status
- Discontinued — replaced by Fomapan T800
Character & history#
High-speed panchromatic film with extended red sensitivity for low-light conditions or artificial light.
Description adapted from Wikipedia’s “List of discontinued photographic films” (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Exposure guide at ISO 800#
Sunny 16 for this film: f/16 at 1/800 s in bright sun. Negative film tolerates 2–3 stops of overexposure; slide film needs accuracy within about ⅓–½ stop.
| Light | f/2 | f/4 | f/8 | f/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 16 · Snow / beach, bright sun | — | — | — | 1/2000 s |
| EV 15 · Bright sun | — | — | — | 1/1000 s |
| EV 14 · Hazy sun | — | — | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright | — | — | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s |
| EV 12 · Overcast / open shade | — | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s | 1/125 s |
| EV 10 · Sunset | 1/2000 s | 1/500 s | 1/125 s | 1/30 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior | 1/500 s | 1/125 s | 1/30 s | 1/8 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 1/60 s | 1/15 s | 1/4 s | 1 s |
| EV 3 · City street at night | 1/15 s | 1/4 s | 1 s | 4 s |
Push & pull options#
Tell your lab how many stops you pushed or pulled so development is adjusted for the whole roll.
| Adjustment | Rate the film at | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Pull 1 stop | EI 400 | Lower contrast, finer grain |
| Push 1 stop | EI 1,600 | More contrast and grain |
| Push 2 stops | EI 3,200 | Strong contrast, coarse grain, blocked shadows |
| Push 3 stops | EI 6,400 | Strong contrast, coarse grain, blocked shadows |
Long exposures#
Most films suffer reciprocity failure beyond about 1 second: they need more exposure than the meter says. As a rule of thumb add ⅓–1 stop for 1–10 s and 1–2 stops beyond 10 s for older emulsions; modern T-grain films (and Fuji Acros) need much less. Check the manufacturer's datasheet.
Similar films#
Other black-and-white negative film around ISO 800.
- Kodak T-Max P3200 (Ektapan P3200) ISO 800
- Rollei Paul & Reinhold ISO 640
- Ilford DELTA 3200 ISO 1,000
- Foma Fomapan 30 / Fomapan N 30 ISO 800 · disc.
- Foma Fomapan T800 ISO 800 · disc.
- ORWO NP 30 ISO 800 · disc.
- Agfa Agfapan 1000 Professional ISO 1,000 · disc.
More Foma films#
Frequently asked questions#
What ISO is Foma Fomapan Special?
800 — set your meter to ISO 800 for box speed.
Is Foma Fomapan Special still made?
No, it has been discontinued (1987–1990).
How do I develop Foma Fomapan Special?
B&W process. Traditional black-and-white development (e.g. D-76/ID-11, HC-110, Rodinal, XTOL) — easy to do at home.
Is Foma Fomapan Special available in 35mm?
Yes — formats: 135-36, 120.
Sources & licences#
- Wikipedia: List of discontinued photographic films — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources