Home | Reviews | Film | Black and White Film

Freestyle Arista Premium 400 Black and White Film

3.8/5 (5 Reviews)

Write a review



Product Description

For years, the Arista name has stood for high-quality products with superior value, and that has never been more true than today. Introducing Arista Premium, the new line of black and white films that takes that quality to an all-new level. Thanks to a new partnership with a major film manufacturer, Freestyle now offers two new films that are sure to find a place in every photo education program. Manufactured in the U.S.A.


Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:1
Submitted by Flashbulb a Professional

Date Reviewed: June 21, 2011

Strengths:    None

Weaknesses:    As described above.

Bottom Line:   
Arista EDU Ultra B&W 400 ASA 100 ft roll film, light struck at factory.

I thought it was me. I bought new reloadable cassettes and loaded them in the dark. I thought it was my developing technique so I bought a 24-exposure roll of Tri-X and developed it with a 36-exposure roll of Arista. The roll of Tri-X came out perfectly and the roll of Arista--you guessed it--was fogged.

I spoke with "Mark" at Freestyle. He wouldn't take back the fogged roll because it was beyond 30 days. The problem didn't surface until after 30 days. It's not like I realized the problem and didn't act. And there is a 15 percent restocking fee on a bulk roll of film that I purchased at the same time but hadn't yet opened.

Order from B&H in New York. Their price on bulk Tri-X is significantly cheaper than Freestyle. And buy quality. It's not a deal if it's a guessing game on whether or not your negs are going to be fogged or not.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $2599.00

Purchased At:   Freestyle photo.biz

Similar Products Used:   Tri-X bulk roll.

Type of photography:   Other

Overall Rating:1
Value Rating:1
Submitted by hacaden a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: March 21, 2004

Strengths:    none

Weaknesses:    fogged at the factory

Bottom Line:   
Last batch I bought from these p;eoploe had been fogged at th factory. Everything I shot on it was wsted.

They knew they had a bad batch, but never informed me, and sent the garbage on anyway. Neither did they offer any refund or replacement.

the real thing from Ilford only costs a few cents more from discounters in NYC now.

DON'T EVER BUY FROM FREESTYLE IF YOU PLACE ANY VALUE ON YOUR WORK.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $2.00

Purchased At:   freestyle

Similar Products Used:   Kodak, Ilford, Agfa films

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by David Munson a Expert from Cleveland, Ohio

Date Reviewed: March 21, 2001

Strengths:    Everything good about HP5 applies here with the addition of a low price. Indeed, this film is the reason I can afford to keep shooting 8x10 on a student's budget.

Weaknesses:    None that I can think of aside from limited availability.

Bottom Line:   
8x10 contact prints from this film when developed in PMK Pyro are a sight to be seen. Definitely a fantastic value and chances are you won't be disappointed if you're a fan of HP5 (after all, I swear it's the same stuff).

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $37.00

Purchased At:   Freestyle

Similar Products Used:   just about everything else

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by RICK GERBEHY a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000

Strengths:    PRICED OK WHEN PROMOTED

Weaknesses:    LATELY PRICED THE SAME AS HP5 PLUS

Bottom Line:   
HP5 IS ALMOST AS CHEAP...IN NY DISCOUNTERS FOR 35MM BUT FREESTYLE 120 STILL A BARGAIN. NO DEVELOP BY DATES BUT I HAVE USED THIS FILM 3 YEARS FROM DEVELOP DATE WITH NO ADVERSE EFFECTS.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Similar Products Used:   HP5 TRI-X
MOST ODD b&w BRANDS

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Michael J. Rodney Sr. a Intermediate from Venice, Florida USA

Date Reviewed: January 27, 2000

Strengths:    Identical characteristics as Ilford HP-5. Nuff said.

Weaknesses:    None

Bottom Line:   
Freestyle Sales' Arista Professional 400 is the bargain of the photo world. I first tried it because of the low price, since I shoot a lot of film. After the first block of ten rolls, I became convinced that this film is simply repackaged Ilford HP-5 at a greatly reduced price. Fine grain, easy to process, great contrast, what more could one ask. If you are into photography and not just brand image, Freestyle's Arista may suit you just fine.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Similar Products Used:   Ilford HP-5, Kodak Tri-X

Type of photography:   Fine Art


Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)

Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Write a Review >>



 

PhotographyReview Videos



 

PhotographyReview on Facebook