Shooting Budapest with Fomapan: A Love Letter to Analog
There’s something about Budapest that feels timeless. Its grand architecture, cobblestone streets, and soft glow over the Danube evoke a sense of nostalgia that seems almost crafted for analog film. On my third trip to this amazing city, in January 2025, I wanted to capture that feeling—not just in image, but in experience. So I packed my Fomapan 400, a Czech black-and-white film known for its classic grain and moody contrast, and wandered the city with my camera in hand.
Why Fomapan?
Fomapan is a gem in the world of analog photography. Manufactured in the Czech Republic by Foma Bohemia, it’s a film that has held its legacy since the 1920s. Unlike many modern films that lean towards fine grain and hyper-sharpness, Fomapan embraces imperfection—its grain is pronounced, its contrast is bold, and its aesthetic is unapologetically vintage.
For my time in Budapest, I wanted that rawness. I wanted the imperfections, the texture, the grit, and the dramatic contrasts that would reflect the soul of the city. Fomapan 400 gave me exactly that.
The Magic of Analog
There’s a deliberate nature to shooting film that I love. You compose carefully, you measure light with intention, and you click the shutter knowing each frame is precious. With Fomapan, that ritual is even more significant. Its latitude allows for subtle mistakes, its tones encourage experimentation, and its imperfections make each image unique.
In a digital world, the tactile experience of analog is a breath of fresh air. From loading the roll to hearing the shutter click, to finally unspooling the negatives and seeing Budapest appear in shades of black and white—it’s magic. It’s pure photography.
Type: Black & white negative film
ISO: Common options are 100, 200, and 400 — lower ISO for bright light, higher ISO for low-light situations
Grain: Fine to medium; Fomapan 100 has a smooth look, while 400 is more textured and grainy
Contrast: Medium contrast, which makes it versatile for portraits, landscapes, and street photography
Push/Pull: You can under- or overexpose a bit to get creative effects (e.g., push Fomapan 100 to ISO 200 for extra grain and mood)
Processing: Works with standard black & white chemicals; can be developed at home or in labs
Look: Classic, timeless black & white with a soft tonal range and natural highlights
Why photographers love it: Fomapan offers a classic, tactile analog look without being overly expensive. It’s great for experimenting with light, shadows, and texture — perfect for both beginners and experienced film shooters.
