Foma Bohemia spol. s.r.o is a photographic company based in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic established in 1921, originally as Fotochema, being renamed in 1995 on privatisation. They are mostly known for their line of black and white films and papers but also produce movie film, X-ray films for medicine and industry and personal dosimetry film along with processing chemicals. They formerly produced aerial and surveillance films.
History
In 1919, engineers Evžen Schier and J. Bárta founded a company in Prague-Nusle for the production of photographic plates, sold under the brand name Ibis. In 1921, the company moved to Hradec Králové and changed its name to Fotochema. Initially, production in 1921 was focused on photographic plates and processing chemicals. In 1931, production of black and white papers started, and in 1933 the production of roll films. Since 1949, the product range has been extended by X-ray films for medical uses and X-ray materials for non-destructive defectoscopy. In the 1950s new products included graphic films for the printing industry, black and white cinematographic positive films and 35mm perforated films. In 1958, the company introduced the production of high-quality Fomacolor coloured papers and in 1964 colour negative films and in 1971 the production of Fomachrom colour reversal film. Continuous research and development led to the improvement of existing products and their further expansion, such as reprographic materials, special film for aerial photography, etc. Industrial X-ray materials were added in 1988. After 1990, the company focussed on black and white photographic materials and X-ray films MEDIX and INDUX including processing photochemical baths. In 1995 the state-owned company Foma was privatised establishing Foma Bohemia Ltd. In 1997 Foma achieved ISO 9001quality assurance.
Fomapan 200 Creative ISO 200 Modern general purposepanchromatic film using both hexagonal core and shell tabular 'T' grains. Formats: 135, 120, Sheet film.
Fomapan 400 ActionISO 400 General purpose traditional panchromatic film. Formats: 135, 120, Sheet film.
Retropan 320 Soft Retro 1950s style traditional panchromatic film characterised by low contrast images with a wide range of half tones which makes it suitable for contact printing or “retro” style enlarging of negatives particularly for portraits, still life, architecture, experiments, landscapes. Formats: 135, Sheet film.
Fomapan R100 B&W reversal film, intended for B&W motion picturemovie making and also converted for still camera use. Processing available through limited number of commercial processors or using Foma Direct Reversal Kit. Polyester base: 8mm, 16mm and 135.
Photographic paper
Fomabrom - Fibre Based Graded papers in Normal or Hard/contrast grades. Neutral to medium warm tone. Numbered; 111 Gloss, 112 Matte, 115 Velvet.
Fomabrom Variant III - Fibre Based Variable Contrast papers. Neutral to medium warm tone. Numbered; 111 Gloss, 112 Matte.
Fomaspeed - Resin Coated Graded papers in Normal and Hard/contrast grades. Neutral to medium warm tone. Numbered; 311 Gloss, 312 Matte, 313 Velvet.
Fomaspeed Variant III - Resin Coated Variable Contrast papers. Neutral to medium warm tone. Numbered; 311 Gloss, 312 Matte, 313 Velvet.
Fomatone MG Classic - Fibre Based Variable Contrast, Warm tone papers. Numbered; 131 Gloss, 132 Matte, 133 Velvet,
Fomatone MG Classic - Natural paper base, Variable Contrast, Warm tone papers. Numbered; 532-II Nature and 542-II Chamois
Retrobrom - Fibre Based Graded paper in Special grade. Warm green-brown tone suitable for retro-style prints. Numbered; 151 Gloss, 152 Matte. Launched in 2019.
Black and white photographic chemicals
The company produce a range of photographic developers for film and paper development. Film and paper developers
Foma Universal Developer - Normal working developer for film or paper
Film developers
Fomadon Excel - Alkaline developer in powder form similar to Kodak Xtol
Fomadon LQN - Normal fine grain developer - liquid concentrate
