Film Never Die: Introducing the CP800 Film Processor

Just two weeks ago as of writing, the film lab, Film Never Die, of Melbourne, Australia, released the Compact Processor 800 semi-automatic film processor.   Of interest to those who want to do commercial-level film processing, the CP800 can process up to eight rolls of film.  Blanks are provided to save on chemistry when processing fewer rolls. 

This processor has been widely reported on, at 35mmc and Kosmo Foto, for example.  Of note, is that this processor failed at a Kickstarter, but even so, the company pressed on and made the device, albeit with some compromises.  The processor comes with documentation for setting it up and using it.  The controller is an Arduino, and the controller software is open source and available on GitHub.

Frame Voyager: Has Kodak Abandoned the New 8mm Movie Film Camera?

Has Kodak abandoned the new 8mm movie film camera first announced in... 2016?!   Not a peep has been heard from the major film company about this camera for quite some time.  Do you think Kodak has abandoned the camera?  Watch and decide for yourself!  Leave me a message if you know different!

Ilford Darkroom Guides: Split Grade Printing

Ilford presents Split Grade Printing with Rachel Brewster-Wright of Little Vintage Photography.  In this video, concept of split grade printing is introduced and demonstrated with a print.  The advantage of this technique is that it gives a broad range of contrast in the same print.  See Ilford's other videos for other techniques such as dodging and burning to help change the contrast within a print.

See the video for details!

The Phoblographer: Atlanta Film Company 250D Review

The Phoblographer gives a favourable review of the Atlanta Film Company 250D film.  The film is respooled cinema ISO 250 daylight balanced colour film.  If you like to shoot colour and find colour film just a bit pricey, maybe the AFC cinema films are for you!

The caveat is that the film is process ECN-2 and has remjet on it.  It is not possible to send it to a lab that processes C41 or E6, since the remjet will ruin the chemistry at such a lab.  AFC will process and scan the film for you, for a fee.  The Phoblographer does not disclose the processing fee, but the Atlanta Film Company website lists $9.99 for ECN-2 processing at time of writing.  Film, if it were available, was listed at $9.99 by The Phoblographer site.

Read the review and see if this film is for you!  When supply returns, grab at roll at the Atlanta Film Company.

PetaPixel: Kodak Recognized as an Historic Chemical Landmark

PetaPixel writes about Kodak's recent designation by the American Chemical Society as a National Historic Chemical Landmark.  The ACS is a pillar organization for chemists and chemistry around the world. 

ACS President Angela Wilson said that the award “honors George Eastman, Eastman Kodak, and the many generations of Kodak chemists, scientists, and engineers who made photography an everyday part of our lives before the advent of smartphones and digital cameras.”

Kodak continues to supply film and chemistry for photographers to this day.  The company has invested millions in protecting the environment and produces materials within the environmental regulations of today.

Ben Horne on the new Intrepid 8x10 Mk III

Ben Horne gives a walk through of the new Intrepid 8x10 Mk III large format camera.  He goes over the new features and the workings of the movements and rotating back.  He gives the solid focus mechanism a tug to demo its sturdiness.  Check it out.

fstoppers: Is CineStill 400D Film the New Natura?

Matt Murray at the fstoppers photography site writes, Is CineStill 400D Film the New Natura?  Like CineStill 800T, the new CineStill 400D stock comes with a cassette labelled for push processing.  So, as a dusk time shooter, Matt likes a fast film, around EI 1600.  Much like Fujifilm Natura was, when Fujifilm manufactured it.  Sure, you can still buy it as new old stock (NOS).  

But, CineStill 400D can be pushed two stops to EI 1600 and Matt feels it does so quite well.  It is also fresh, when available and offers a high dynamic range (the D in 400D stands for dynamic, not daylight).

Read on for the details and find out:  Is CineStill 400D Film the New Natura?

The Photography Professor: All About Instax Film

The Photography Professor has an article, All About Instax Film, that gives the history, cameras, options and more all about Fujifilm Instax film.  This is an integrated instant film, based on licensed Polaroid film technology, since the 1990s.  The Professor points out the the film is different from what Polaroid used to make.  Modern Polaroid is another history, arising from the ashes with the help of the Impossible Project.

There is an extensive table of contents in the article, if one wants to use it as a reference.  

The author of All About Instax Film, Lee, has this to say about shaking your instant film photograph:

Should You Shake Instax Film?

No, you should not shake your Instax film because you could ruin the image. You may think that shaking your Instax film may speed of the development process but according to Fujifilm, the manufacturer of Instax film, shaking Instax film while it is developing could damage the development chemicals on the image, causing it not to spread evenly over the image and prevents the photo from developing correctly.

In my experience, shaking the image after it comes out of the camera also may make the image blurry and/or cause feather-like patterns on the film. In addition, if you touch the image area while shaking it, you will cause spots on the image.

Grab an instant camera, and experience tangible photography today!

Halloween Already?!

The Film Photography Project has introduced a new Halloween themed film, so yes, Halloween already.  The film, called The Mummy, is on sale until August 15th for $7.99 a roll from the online FPP shop. 

Rated at ISO 400 and based on the FPP Cine16 stock, the film is a medium grain, medium contrast film.  It is available in 35mm, 120, 620, 4x5 and 8x10 formats.

The Mummy joins other Halloween themed films, such as Dracula 64, The WolfMan 100 and Frankenstein 200.

It feels like this blog has arisen from the dead, but not because there is any lack of news to report in still film photography.  The industry is alive and well, producing more films, more cameras and more options than ever.

Get out and shoot film!

Studio C-41: Kodak Carded 24-exposure Ultramax

Studio C-41 reported that Kodak discontinued 24-exposure carded Ultramax film packs.  The packaging most used in pharmacies and superstores is being phased out.  Regular boxed Ultramax film will continue to be sold.

The article also presented a leaked memo to Australian retailers noting that there is a more than half a million packs of film in backorder with Kodak which the distributor for that continent cannot fill.

The demand is there, but Kodak is having difficulty filling it.  This simplification of the variety film packaging methods might just be a step in fulfilling orders, one can only hope.

Kickstarter: Revival

Revival is a film about film.  PetaPixel has an article on the background for this Kickstarter.  Dean Ginsburg, the director of the Revival, became a believer in film once introduced to an analog camera, and noted that many others, too young to have handled a film camera before, became enthralled by the medium.

Now, given the past failures of Kickstarters making actual film, will a film about film make it?  Or should we contribute to the campaign, because we believe in the art?  You decide. 

The project will only get funds if it meets or exceeds its funding goal, so your money will be refunded if the campaign is not popular enough.

Check out the Kickstarter, Revival:

PopPhoto: 'Euphoria' Shot on Ektachrome

PopPhoto reports that season two of the HBO series, Euphoria, will be shot entirely on Ektachrome film.  Kodak even had to make adjustments to its production line to accomodate the request.  

The article answers the question, "But why switch from a digital format in season one to an analog one in season two?"  Check it out!

The article:  Season two of HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ shot entirely on Kodak Ektachrome film

Blog Note: Ground Hog Day!

Blog Note: Lunar New Year

Also known as the Chinese New Year, this is the start of the lunisolar calendar, a calendar based on the cycles of the moon.  A number of Asian countries celebrate this day, including the Chinese.

LFF: Funky Large Format Sizes

Large Format Friday with Matt presents, Funky Large Format Sizes!  Did you know there is more to LF than just 4x5 and 8x10?  Sure you did, if you follow Ag+ Process on Twitter.  Lots of people doing 6x17, 5x7 and other formats.  Matt lists an extensive list of LF sizes including the standard plate sizes.

A standard plate is 8.5 x 6.5 inches.  From which a number of different sizes can be cut.  Check out the video for a full list.

Beware of old wood holders from before the war, the First World War!  They may not conform to modern standards.  Same for cameras from the earlier era, they may require matching holders, modern holders may not work.  Get the low down from Matt!

Bonus:  Matt makes a kallitype of a plate sent to him from Edinburgh.  Check it!

Enjoy!

Amateur Photographer: How to Maintain Your Film Camera

The Amateur Photographer magazine has a neat article on how to maintain your film camera for years to come.  A few tips can save you oodles of trouble and damage to your precious camera - because they are probably not making any new cameras to replace the one you likely have (unless it is a Leica...).

John Quantick, the author of the article, not only has tips on how to keep your camera in tip-top shape, but he also services film cameras in Bristol, England.

Read How to Maintain Your Film Camera at Amateur Photographer.  

The publication even has an entire section devoted to film photography, well worth checking out!

JCH: Buying a Used Film Camera

Japan Camera Hunter, Bellamy, has a great video on what to look for in a used camera.  Some great tips in this video, so be sure to watch all the way through!  Things like inspecting the camera carefully for dings and scratches, functionality.  Includes tips for looking at lenses.

Lomography Tipster: Developming Film with Red Wine

The Lomography Magazine Alternative Process Tipster shows how to process film with wine!  Similar to the Caffenol process, the wine contains caffeic acid, which is the active ingredient, just add washing soda and vitamin C (ascorbic acid).  

Check out the article for details and photos.

KosmoFoto: The Year in Review 2021

KosmoFoto has a detailed list of analog film events for 2021.  This review also includes a clip from the Youtube channel, Nicos Photography Show.  The clip is Nico's Top Ten list of photography news for 2021.  Well worth the listen, so the clip is shared here as well: