The Fomapan Trio: Learning Black & White Film by Shooting the Same Roll Three Ways
Choosing your first black and white film shouldn’t feel like studying for an exam.
Yet most people start by comparing data sheets, grain charts, and development times — long before they’ve learned what different films feel like in use. I see this a lot, especially from photographers coming from digital, where ISO is a dial rather than a commitment.
That’s exactly why I put together The Fomapan Trio.
Not as a bundle for the sake of it, but as a way to learn black and white film through consistency, not confusion.
Why Fomapan?
I’ve written and photographed extensively using Fomapan films, and I keep coming back to them for a few simple reasons:
- They’re affordable without feeling disposable
- They have a traditional, honest tonal response
- They’re forgiving when exposure isn’t perfect
- They reward careful observation rather than technical obsession
Fomapan doesn’t shout. It doesn’t try to look fashionable. It just records light — and for learning black and white photography, that matters.
Why a Trio Makes Sense
Most people try different films by jumping between brands and emulsions:
One roll is contrasty.
The next is flat.
The third has grain that dominates everything.
What you end up learning is the film, not your photography.
The idea behind the Fomapan Trio is simple:
Keep the film character consistent, and change only the speed.
By shooting Fomapan 100, 200, and 400, you’re working within the same emulsion family. That means differences you see on the negatives are largely down to:
- light
- exposure choice
- subject matter
- your own decisions
That’s where learning really happens.
The Three Films, Briefly Explained
Fomapan 100
This is a film that rewards patience.
Best used when light is abundant or deliberate:
- clear winter mornings
- open landscapes
- quiet lanes and static scenes
It encourages slower working and careful composition. Detail is its strength.
Fomapan 200
Often overlooked, but arguably the most versatile of the three.
It sits comfortably between the extremes:
- flexible in mixed light
- suitable for everyday shooting
- forgiving when conditions change
If you only shot one of the three regularly, this might be it.
Fomapan 400
This is where mood creeps in.
Perfect for:
- low winter light
- overcast days
- handheld shooting when light is slipping away
It brings grain, texture, and atmosphere — especially suited to the kind of quiet, slightly melancholic scenes I often find myself drawn to in North Hampshire.
Who the Fomapan Trio Is For
This set is ideal if you:
- Are new to film and want to understand exposure properly
- Are a digital photographer crossing over to 35mm
- Want a small self-set project rather than random rolls
- Prefer learning through doing, not spec sheets
It’s also a great way to slow things down and reconnect with photography as a process, not just an outcome.
I’ve written more detailed reviews of each film
From Idea to Reality
I first talked about the Fomapan Trio on TikTok — showing the films, the packaging, and the thinking behind it.
If you’re interested in seeing that side of things, you can watch:
- the initial announcement and packing process
https://www.tiktok.com/@fineartpics/video/7595598761422802198 - and follow-up videos showing the trio in context
https://www.tiktok.com/@fineartpics/video/7595883761884073238
https://www.tiktok.com/@fineartpics/video/7596802586598984982
These weren’t polished adverts — just a quiet look at how and why this product came together.
Where to Buy the Fomapan Trio
The Fomapan Trio is available in three places, depending on how you prefer to shop:
- Direct from my website (best place for supporting my work):
https://fineartpics.co.uk/product/fomapan-35mm-film - On eBay, if that’s where you’re most comfortable buying:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/198034565024 - Via TikTok Shop, linked directly from the videos above
All three contain the same carefully packed trio of:
- Fomapan 100
- Fomapan 200
- Fomapan 400
A Final Thought
This isn’t about chasing the “best” film.
It’s about giving yourself three honest tools and the space to learn what light, exposure, and mood really do to a photograph.
If the Fomapan Trio helps someone slow down, shoot more thoughtfully, or simply enjoy film a little more — then it’s doing exactly what it was meant to do.