Arista EDU Ultra 100 Black and White Negative Film (8 x 10", 50 Sheets)

I've used Arista film for many years without any problems--both 4x5 and 120. The large format Arista film looks to me to about rival Ilford FP-4. But a 50 sheet box of 4x5 Arista EDU 100 bought back in March of 2022 (since stored in a dedicated film fridge) and finally opened and used last week shows a peppering of tiny black specks throughout the negative. Emulsion # 021754-01 Exp. date: 2023-06 I shot some 12 sheets in three outings to test the emulsion--good I did. I shot some 4x5 Foma at the same time, developed at the same time (together in the same Combi-plan tanks)--and the Foma shows no peppering of black dots. I have a lot of Arista film purchased over the last few years stored in the fridge--4x5, 5x7 and 8x10--and if a peppering of tiny black dots appears in any of this film...well... I will no longer use Arista film. It will take many hours of Photoshop spot-cleaning to fix a batch of this developed film. If anyone has found a solution to address Arista film with this emulsion problem, do respond here.

My 1st sheet film while learning large format camera. The price is right for a beginner and the beginner mistakes that are made while learning the camera. The film has been easy to load into film holders. And easy to develop at home and enlarge in darkroom. Very happy with the results from loading the film to developing and printing this film

I think this film is one of the best options for beginner like me. Yes, its price is higher than 4x5 format but the lowest price in 5x7 format film options. Both of landscape photography and closeup photo, I think this film provide good result without high price. I recommend this for beginner, and I'll repeat it.

I know this film has many adherents and I admire their work. But I find it to be a really tragic offering: An absolutely beautiful old-school emulsion ruined by manufacturing defects. The biggest problem, and the deal-killer for me, is the known issue of an anti-halation layer that will not fully dissolve, leaving the film covered in tiny specks. I've purchased two boxes of 4x5 film and three rolls of 120 that all had this problem. graciously returned/refunded the first batch. I did not ask for a refund on my second batch because I knew about the problem going in, but was hoping for the best. The issue is widely discussed on internet fora . . . and has been for years, including a work-around solution involving an alcohol bath that supposedly came directly form the manufacturer. Apparently Foma-- I mean, Arista, has made the decision that this is not worth fixing and attempts to explain it away as a batch-related issue. My films have come from several different batch numbers. Some are worse, but all have exhibited the problem. Secondary issues are that the true ISO is around 25-50 and the reciprocity characteristics are atrocious. I don't know how people use this for pinhole work, but I do see photographers who achieve excellent results. Attached is a pinhole test image in which I attempted to correct for reciprocity by doubling the numbers I use for my favorite films. Still incredibly thin negatives. That's not a deal killer in itself, but the extra boost in post to make the image usable really brings out the specks. It's super sad, because the emulsion itself really is beautiful. Too grainy for its speed, but nonetheless a compelling classic look. If they ever fix the anti-halation layer, I'll be back.