Confused again about Arista edu/eduUltra

[skygzr]

I'm once again confused about who makes what....

 

My understanding, if memory serves, is that edu was made by Forte, and eduUltra

was made by Foma. I had a conversation with the sales rep at Freestyle that

confirmed this...it was a while back so my memory may be faulty.

 

I used some edu a few years ago. I wasn't impressed, mostly because it had some

coating flaws. I still have a few rolls in the fridge. I keep it around for

when I need to test camera function.

 

I recently got some eduUltra so I could give it a try. It sure does look like

the old edu. It has the same black wrapper and the same characteristic heavy

blue-green base tint that doesn't go away no matter what you do. I have never

seen another film that has this tint.

 

I ran another roll just to be sure I ddin't get them switched. Same stuff, as

far as I can tell. Any help out there?

 

"Why don't you get in touch with Freestyle and ask them?". I will....I'm not

sure if anyone is manning the phones on Sunday but I'll send them a note or call

tomorrow.

[d_purdy]

I use Freestyle products a lot .. especially the paper, and they have gone

through so many changes lately that I don't have confidence to buy it. Then

they have left over old stock of stuff that they sell and you can't even trust a

test. But I think eventually the dust will settle over there and you will again

get a consistant product.

 

In the last catalog the president of the company gives an email address to ask

questions and state issues of concern. You might try contacting that address

and asking exactly what is what. I am going to write them and state my lack

of confidence that I know what I am getting from them.. here is the address

 

president@freestylephoto.biz

[jordan_w.]

Hi Kevin,

 

Everything I have read and heard indicates that Arista.EDU is Forte and Arista.EDU Ultra is Foma, as you mentioned. It may be that an early version of Arista.EDU was indeed Foma, and got renamed with "Ultra" when the Forte version came on-line.

 

Unfortunately it's always something of a guess with re-badged films. All I can say is that I've had good results with the Ultra (though I prefer it in 35mm rather than 120, where the curl is intrusive).

[jim_appleyard]

Jordan, does the curl go away with time and putting the sleeved negs in a 3-ring binder?

[peter_schauss1]

The curl and color of the film base certainly sounds like Foma. FWIW, the Foma 200 (120 size) which I am using now has "ULTRA" printed on the top border of the film. Once you take the film out of the foil wrapper, it has nothing on it which says "Foma".

[larrydressler]

Peter

 

I am finding that the 200 is 1 heck of a film that loves alost any Developer. It really shines in Rodinal 1-50 and in HC-110 dil -B it almost has a glow that makes street photography pretty. it is a beautiful 500+ in Diafine... I think it was supposed to be some type of T-grain film but turned out more of a fine grain conventional film.

 

I keep 1 camera loaded with the EDU Ultra 400 at all times because it gives nice images and the newer ..they have a green band on the box.... do not curl as bad.

[jordan_w.]

Jim, after some time in the binder they lose some of their curl, but certainly not all. Unfortunately.

[jeff_g2]

I have been using the Arista.EDU for a couple months, and I absolutely love the stuff. This is a switch from Ilford. I have only had a single wiggy roll where there seemed to be something wrong with the emulsion on about the last inch. I have all my stuff laid out or hanging in full roll sleeves and havent seen any curl problems.

[larrydressler]

I Have noticed that the last 5 rolls I shot were flat with little or no curl. I wonder if there has been a change. it was the Arista.EDU Ultra/ Fola film. Infact the ADOX I just shot curls like the dickens.

 

Larry