Arista 100

Fomapan repackaged by Freestyle under the Arista name. A classic Czech black and white at a friendly price. This is the 120 version.

How it behaves

Same film as Fomapan 100, so develop it like Foma. It can be a little soft in the highlights, which suits portraits, and it is cheap enough to shoot a lot. The matching entry, Arista EDU Ultra 100, describes a traditional-grain panchromatic film with classic rendering, moderate grain, and wide exposure latitude. It develops in all standard B&W developers. The emulsion curls noticeably after drying, so handle and flatten carefully for scanning.

Questions people ask

Is Arista 100 the same as Fomapan 100?

The notes say it is Fomapan repackaged by Freestyle. The entry adds that the Fomapan 100 rebrand is widely documented, not officially confirmed by Freestyle.

Is Arista 100 good for learning black and white?

Yes. The entry lists learning and experimenting in B&W, and everyday general-purpose shooting. It is a budget staple aimed at educators.

Is Arista 100 good for portraits?

It can be a little soft in the highlights, which suits portraits. The entry also lists portraits among its uses.