I had a day out in Machynlleth recently. I took with me an unusual camera that I have been experimenting with (to be written up in a later post) so I thought just to make sure the day was a complete failure photographically I would also take with me my Super-Ikonta 530/16 loaded with Washi F, a film I have never used and one that I had little expectations of, but one that I have had a roll of in my deepfreeze for ages.
Washi F is an orthochromatic film and according to Washi “is a special X-ray film used for mass lung disease diagnose. Being coated without anti-halation layer, this unique film offer a high diffusion effect and beautiful grain”.
The Washi introduction and some reviews I found didn’t exactly inspire confidence. I started from the point of having no idea what to expect from the film so took a variety of images as I walked around the town and down to the river, with each one trying not to repeat myself. I thought that if each of the 11 images was based on a different idea I might stand a chance of finding out what, if anything, the film was good for.
I then developed the film in Fomadon R09 (Rodinal) 1+25 for the recommended 9 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised at the results, it turns out to be a sharp film with obvious but fine grain and diffusion that is present but not too over-powering, though maybe a bit too much for 35mm.
I like Ilford Ortho+ orthochromatic film, but not Rollei Ortho25 which is neither sharp nor has an attractive grain structure, this film would make an interesting alternative. As an orthochromatic film I expected reds to show as blacks as with the flowers by the clock tower, though elsewhere a Royal Mail van came out grey, and it seems to darken greens more noticeably than other ortho. films. Overall if it was more readily available I would use it again.
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Alastair Bell on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Great camera too - the Super Ikontas are amazing in their image quality and the way they combine a lot of features and pack down small.
I had one years ago and it was lovely.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Neal Wellons on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
If you get to use Washi F again, I highly recommend some night shots. The glow of lights in night photography is absolutely wonderful and different from most anything else. Wish I could attach a photo but you should be able to find examples easily enough.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
David Pauley on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Gary Smith on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Jeffery Luhn on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
The shots of the bridge and the fiddler are very very good! You got the square format to work quite well for those scenes. I can't comment on that particular film, but I can write volumes on Zeiss folding cameras. I have several, from the little Contessa 35mm to the 6x9 Super Ikonta. Those cameras represent a high point in camera design and quality. I also have a Mamiya 6 and a Mockva which use the same Tessar lens formula. Hard to beat! All are still available at decent prices on eBay.
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Comment posted: 03/09/2026
Geoff Chaplin on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 04/09/2026
Comment posted: 04/09/2026
Omar Tibi on 5 Frames of Washi F in Mach.
Comment posted: 05/09/2026
Washi F is definitely an interesting film, it somehow reminds me of that stock that Foma produces, that is deliberately soft. I can see it being great for a mood shot, and while ortho films tend to not be great for portraits in my experience, this didn't do bad at all. Have you tried the Ferrania Orto film yet? It's a bit harder to get, but there is definitely 120 rolls of it floating around.
Comment posted: 05/09/2026
Comment posted: 05/09/2026