I’ve done many articles featuring Arista EDU Ultra film over the year. In my opinion it is a great black and white film at an actually affordable price. I’ve demonstrated in these articles the diversity of this film in pushing it and developing it. Therefore, I wanted to make this proper review now that I have had a lot of experience with it. Besides that, with prices of film these days, I think it is worth bringing this film back to the spotlight.
To be clear, I know this film is just Fomapan 400 in a different box, like a generic brand. It is made by Foma Bohemia, but as of the time I am writing this, Arista EDU is a bit cheaper than Fomapan at under $6 U.S. for a 24 exposure roll and 120 film. In my opinion, any savings right now is worth mentioning. You can also bulk roll it. So let’s talk about it.
Foma Bohemia
Foma Bohemia is a photographic company from the Czech Republic established in 1919, but didn’t start making film until 1964 with their color films, and black and white film in 1990. However, it wasn’t until the mid 2000’s that they started to produce the films we now know, such as Arista EDU here in the U.S in 2015.
Arista EDU Ultra
- In my research, I found that the EDU represents this film for educators and schools who choose it for its price and features.
- It doesn’t have a DX code on the canister so keep that in mind if you’re using a point and shoot style camera. However, it looks like the UK is producing a DX Coded version of this film at the time of writing this article in 2024.
- It is available in 35mm and 120.
- Arista EDU Ultra comes in ISO 100, 200, and 400
- Slightly pronounced grain structure for sharpness and use in all lighting conditions
My Experiences with Arista EDU Ultra
As you can see in my photos below, I tried 200 and 400 ISO versions of this film, and I pushed the 400 two stops. I really liked my results at 400, 800, and at 1600. I wouldn’t recommend pushing it any farther than that because at 1600 I found it didn’t do well indoors but it was great after sunset outdoors.
You can see here that when pushed to 800 the highlights do start to lose information, but the shadows still seem to hold up.
Personally, I tend to prefer to develop using D-76 developer, but when pushing films I use Kodak HC110 B. The HC110 B however tends to enhance the grain but you get shorter developing times. It all depends on your preference.
I don’t normally shoot film under 400 speed, but I did try a roll of Arista EDU Ultra 200 and I really liked my results outdoors. It is a nice, clean film stock.
Final Thoughts
This is a film that I will definitely be stocking up on and in the future hope to bulk roll. Like I mentioned, being that it is the same as Fomapan, you can choose whichever is cheaper at the time and it will give you the same results as sampled below.
What do you think? Is Arista EDU Ultra an option for you, especially at that price in this economy? Let me know in the comments. Also, if this article was helpful to you at all, please consider donating to the site so I can keep it going. Click the button below to make a donation or even buy one of my zines. Anything is hugely appreciated. Either way, I am always grateful to you all for stopping by and until next time, stay motivated and keep shooting.
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I’ve used all of these films at one point or another, and I feel that if you can find a proper development technique that works for you, they all give acceptable, though individually different, results. The bonus we enjoy nowadays is being able to scan the negatives and make fine adjustments in post-processing. Add in new AI programs and we can recover many errors and defects like increasing sharpness, decreasing grain, etc.
That’s true. Some of these film stocks have more limits than others when pushing like I do but like you say, tweaks in developer can help that.
My biggest issue is trying to open the canisters. Ive used the squeeze/pinch tool and it is very difficult in a change bag.
Ive tried the double spoon tool from flic. Those snap after about 2 times.
Its cheap, good film, but very difficult to retrieve the film.
The plastic canisters are very annoying i agree. From what I read they’re starting to use metal ones.
I have been an Arista EDU Ultra user for years, I actually like the 200 the best and have been getting it from Freestyle directly.
If I shot low iso speed film I would use the 200 too. I really liked the one roll I shot of it.
Hello
Living in France, I have access to Fomapan films which are the cheapest available. I like using them, especially the 100 with strong contrast and the 200 with a wide tonal range (in dark greys). Concerning the 400, I know a photographer who studied in a University where he met the man who made Foma films who recognized the 400 was not a success. I have had some good results with it too though.
I prefer use lower iso films and Foma 100 and 200 really are among my favourite films : no need to buy other films just to do like hipsters on Instagram 😀
An for the record my other favourite films are : Rollei RPX 25, Svema FN 64, Rollei RPX 100, Ilford HP5 but only for pushing it and Ilford Delta 3200.
Christian
Hi Christian,
I am the opposite. I used the higher ISO films. So I’ve never tried those other films you mentioned yet. I always shoot Ilford HP5 pushed to 800. I’ll have to try those films one day though. I’ve been wanting to.
Thanks for reading!
Is this film commonly available?
I’ve seen it at all the online shops that I shop at but if you can’t find it Fomapan is the same thing.
It’s good to know that you like the film. I used Foma 400 for the Frugal Film Project in 2022. I’m considering Arista 200 for my 2025 project film. I’ll get a couple of rolls and see how they work with Black, White & Green developer.
Just note that the new Arista EDU DX films (note the DX) are no longer Foma films, but repackaged Kentmere films.
Thanks for the info but Kentmere is also rebranded Foma Bohemia made film
According to Harman (Ilford’s parent company in the UK), Kentmere films are manufactured by Harman at their plant: https://www.ilfordphoto.com/kentmere-400-35mm
According to Harman Technology (Ilford’s parent company), Kentmere films are produced in-house at their Mobberly, UK plant: “The Kentmere range is owned and manufactured by Harman technology and follows the same high quality processes that are used to make all ILFORD PHOTO films and papers.”
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it