Dmitri of Analog Cafe built a camera out of gingerbread this year, and even ate it afterwards! A Canadian media outlet did an interview with Dmitri, who demonstrated the camera in operation and described how to operate it. The camera used a piece of paper tape for the shutter and a pre-made mechanism to eject the film with a crank handle.
Check out the awesome video!
PetaPixel reports that Fujifilm is growing its Instax business by 15% year over year, with around a billion Instax prints a year, over a billion USD in sales and triple the market size since 2015. These are just astounding numbers. Even if a plastic Instax camera is not for you, MiNT Camera makes nice cameras and there are even Instax printers that can print an image from a cellphone. Fujifilm may be right to push this money-making juggernaut forward -- there is nothing comparable a print in the hand, and instax delivers.
Photographer, Herb Theriault tried out Kentmere 400, which was recently released in 120 format, developed with the Caffenol developer. In this short video, he tries out several different scenarios of landscape photography. Many great shots and some learnings:
On Friday, Harman Technology, at harmanphoto.co.uk, released Harman Phoenix C41 process colour film, with much online fanfare and teasers for weeks. Don't look for this film at Ilford Photo, which is still focused on B&W film, though the new film is coated by Ilford's plant in Mobberly, possibly using the same techniques used to make Ilford XP2, a B&W film that is processed in C41 chemistry.
Phoenix is cast as an limited edition, experimental film with halation, speckles and some colour shifts depending on lighting conditions. Featuring grain and high contrast, Harman claims this is a first step in the evolution of developing colour film at their plant.
Many sites have news and reviews of this film already, maybe more will also as the film is now available to the public. Read on about the characteristics and how to process and scan this film at: Analogue Wonderland Harman Phoenix Learning Lab.
The Phoblographer's review with reviews and photos by Bill Manning, Brent Eysler, Zeb Andrews and Lanna Apisuhk.
Hamish Gill of 35mmc reviewed a roll on his blog and the Film Photography Project offered the film at an introductory price Friday, with info and specs from the marketing material provided by Harman.
Kosmo Foto shot a roll of the film in a Lomo LC-A and posted photos along with details from the Harman press release.
Surely, there are more to come.
Look for Harman Phoenix color film from your retailer or any of the following sites. Note that some dealers are offering discounts on multiples, so check the options before buying to get the best price. Apologies to those missed, here are a few online retailers in alphabetical order:
Analogue Wonderland (UK) Harman Phoenix
Beau Photo (Canada) Harman Phoenix
Camera Traders (Canada) Harman Phoenix (Pre-order)
Film Photography Project Harman Phoenix
The Phoblographer declares the MiNT TL70 Plus TLR as their best ever. Check out those features and specifications - full auto and full manual with a light meter, either on demand.
Who wouldn't want such a camera? Early bird pricing available for a limited time, but still a little pricey. Probably worth it for the right photographer. There is little else out there like it, other than the other MiNT cameras. Become a MiNT VIP today...
MiNT TL70 Plus TLR
Finally, after nearly half a decade, Kodak has released its Super 8 hybrid movie camera, for $5,495. What? Jason Koebler at 404 Media comments on this thing, desirable, yet not so desirable.
So, a while back, Harman Photo, the parent company of Ilford Photo, the maker of Ilford film, paper and chemistry, teased something coming... Now, a date for the release of this wunderkind has been set: December 1st. Keep your hat on and follow the countdown.
While not associated with Ag+ Process in any way, many retailers in the film community are offering Black Friday deals this year. These are time limited, while quantities last (for physical goods) deals, so if you were looking to buy, now may be the time.
First off, MiNT Camera is offering 10% off cameras and accessory packages. Become a VIP and enter the world of high-end Polaroid and Instax instant film cameras. MiNT also offers a program for free film for life.
Second, Polaroid is offering around 16% off various Polaroid Now and Polaroid Go camera bundles, a discount on the 2x3 printer and up to 50% off Polaroid speakers and camera & speaker bundles. The purchase of an I-2 camera now comes with 5 i-Type film packs included for a limited time.
Third, Film Ferrania is offering 15% off rolls of P30. Discover the silver-rich tones of this Italian classic B&W film at a discount.
Fourth, VueScan, the scanning software that works with over 7400 scanners, including film scanners and flatbeds, is offering 25% off this week only. Check before purchase to ensure the discount applies. The software can be downloaded, installed and used without a license, however scans will have a watermark. So you can test before you buy. Rejuvenate an old scanner to scan your prints, slides and negatives. Well worth the money any day.
Fifth on this list is B&H Photo, with deals on film and film cameras (mostly instant cameras and a few reusable plastic cameras or toy cameras).
Enjoy the season and if you were sitting on the fence, now may be the time to make a deal!
Just a few items in analog film news so far this month. To start, as widely reported, based on a report by John Sexton on his blog, johnsexton.com, Photo Systems Inc. (PSI) will resume production of Kodak chemistry. Previously, Sino Promise of China had the license to distribute Kodak chemistry. Scroll down or search for (Ctrl-F) the article title with: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICALS .
One Instant is offering DIY kits for producing pack film, the original Polaroid format instant film. Available for pre-order only, Super Sense has developed a scheme to cut the cost of pack film by putting the final stage of assembling the film pack in the hands of the photographer. No darkroom needed, all tools provided, the price is discounted at €88 for 8 one-shot packs in color, B&W or Choco. Delivery is expected in early 2024.
The Film Photography Project is offering discounts across the board for all of its 120 format Kodak medium format film. No discount code required. Kodak has discounted 120 format film that it produces, and the FPP is passing the savings on to you.
FPP also announces that FPP 4x5 BW InfraRed negative film is back in stock.
Last month, Kosmo Foto showcased a short film shot entirely on Kosmo Foto Agent Shadow film. The still picture movie or picture movie uses still images to convey a sense of motion. "The Welsh Werebit" is a Halloween comedy.
So, 35mmc is a site dedicated to 35mm compact cameras. Should you have any questions on a particular compact camera, this is the site to research and delve through to find a review and information about it. There are, however, many good articles about things that are not specifically about such compact cameras. This link dump is just a list of such articles that interested Your Blogger.
So, lets start off! In no particular order, lets start with the unsung hero of film photography, Dust Off! A breezy piece on how effective the aerosol can is at cleaning pesky dust off of film and its history, with pictures of ads from the olden days.
Then, a beta review of the Ago film processor. This handy device mounts on a standard Patterson tank with just a bit of drilling. The tank remains usable without the processor, but automatic temperature-adjusted development time (the device does not adjust the temperature, but rather the development time) can help nail film development for the perfect negative. Read the review for details.
Next, Ted Ayre dives into his experience with easing into home development. Filled with many B&W prints from his work, the author recounts his deep dive into the darkroom. Comments in the comments section wax on with recounts of how others got into developing and printing.
Azriel Knight tells it as it is, with his take on how Photo-Flo is to be used. With several takes, see if you have found the same techniques and problems.
Joel Rouse recounts his crushing disappointment of (expired) film. Did you run out of film before the once in a lifetime shot presented itself?
Can a doubting Thomas love a colour film? Azriel Knight writes in another article, Cinestill 400D -- A Bittersweet Review, about this rebadged emulsion. Is it his new default choice for colour film?
This review of the TTArtisan Lightmeter II gets into detail about the changes and advantages, and not so advantages, of the revised lightmeter. This meter mounts on any cold shoe and adds to the experience shooting with older cameras that no longer (or never had) a working lightmeter.
Molly Kate gives a review of LomoChrome 92, now in medium format and 110 since July, with loads of luscious colour photos. Check out the links for details and the shop to pick up a roll or two for yourself.
That is it for now! Enjoy reading and stay tuned.
PetaPixel is reporting that Ilford is instroducing a colour film disposable camera: Ilford’s New Disposable Camera is the Ilfocolor Rapid Half Frame.
No details as to the source of the colour film, since Ilford currently does not manufacture colour film. B&H lists the camera as "coming soon", with ISO 400 film and 54 exposures (due to being half frame, having double the number of exposures of a regular 35mm camera).
PetaPixel is reporting that a lab claims that film from Amazon may be improperly stored. After seeing issues with film from Amazon sent for processing by customers, the lab looked to the source. In a sample purchased and processed by Coastal Film Lab, possible heat damage to fresh colour print film from Amazon may have occurred. The operator claims that the results from film "developed in fresh, control strip tested C41 chemistry came out severely fogged with incorrect base color and poor tonality."
The lab is imploring customers to buy film from reputable photographic dealers and, of course, local camera stores. Support local, particularly if your camera retailer offers quality services and properly stored, quality film.
Read the article and see the post by Coastal Film Labs yourself, at PetaPixel.
Analog Cafe has an excellent article on a technique to invert colour film negatives using Photoshop. The technique applies similarly to any other editor, the location of tools may just be different. The results shown in the article seem to be excellent.
Read on at Analog Cafe, How to Invert Colour Film Negatives in Photoshop.
Dmitri of Analog Cafe has an in-depth review of the Wolfen NC 500 colour film by ORWO. This film is the only colour film not made by one of the few large film producers. It is truly unique. Available from Amazon and eBay, the article has affiliate links to the product.
Described as having muted colours and lots of grain, this film is for daylight exposure and experimentation. The mask is a greenish tint, and so most software that inverts colour negative film won't work. Never fear, Analog Cafe has a fantastic article, How to Invert Colour Flim Negatives in Photoshop. The technique will work just as well in your favorite image editor, the tools will just be slightly different. In fact, this article will be in the next posting of Ag+ Process, it seems so useful.
So, read on and see actual photos and comments on Analog Cafe for Wolfen NC 500 colour film!
The 35mmc blog features a detailed article on using a Pinsta pinhole camera and RA4 colour paper to make 4"x5" instant colour prints without a darkroom. Dave, the author, leads us through the path he took to make this alternative colour process work for him. The details include the B&W developer used, the RA4 process and the special stack of filters required to get a colour balanced image.
The Pinsta seems especially suited to the process, since the first development can be done in camera.
Read on to for one man's adventure in producing colour 4x5 images without breaking the bank: 4"x5" instant colour prints without a darkroom.
CineStill, the company that brought cinema colour and B&W film to still film photographers in an easy to use package that can be developed at any film lab, has introduced the CS-LIte. This device is designed for photographers who want to scan film with a better quality light source.
The light features three colour temperatures: cool white, for colour negative film; white light, for B&W film; and warm white, for E6 processed slide film. The light offers EV 15+ brightness, has optional brightness enhancement sheets for even greater brightness and the lit surface area measures: Length: 5 7/8 in by Width: 3 3/4 in.
Suitable for most 35mm and medium format formats, there are holders available for purchase with the light. The universal carrier included with the light "pairs with pre-existing film carriers like those made by Negative Supply, VALOI, Lomography, and more."
A digital camera would be required to scan the film.
Check out the CS-Lite by CineStill.
Disclaimer: Ag+ Process blog has not tested nor used this product. No endorsement was paid nor offered. Your blogger is a user of CineStill film products purchased at retail.
The major photography site, PetaPixel, has an interesting article on getting started in film photography.
Suggestions such as:
* Use your phone to store guides, user manual for your camera, light meter app and more
* Take a class
* Use a reliable camera
* Find a lab
* Become a photographer
And more! There is something in there to inspire anyone. Film photogarphy is still seeing a resurgence and is a fun way to experience photography.
Read at PetaPixel: getting started in film photography.
Ricoh has released a YouTube video, with details reported on Kosmofoto, Pentax compact film camera. The video is in Japanese with English subtitles. The engineer talks about the details and roadmap for the film cameras that could potentially be built from the platform for the planned compact camera. Potentially, an interchangable lens SLR. Aim high!
Read the discussion on Kosmofoto: Pentax compact film camera.
The 35mmc blog reported on two new films this week. First, the Analogue Wonderland 35mm film, WonderPan 400 - released in celebration of five years of Analogue Wonderland. This film is packaged with instructions to encourage push and pull development in a fun way, to allow even beginners to film to have fun with development techniques. Demystifying the process is the first step to opening up new ways to see film.
See the aritcle, Analogue Wonderland's 5th year and WonderPan 400, and celebrate with the limited edition film! Coming in late June.
Second, Foma Bohemia released a new ortho film in 120 format, Foma Ortho 400. This green sensitive film like all ortho films, renders red as a dark tone. Suitable for processing as either a reversal film or a negative film, it is being offered in medium format only for under six euros a roll.
Check out the article at Foma Releases Medium Format Ortho Film. Purchase at the Foma shop now, here.
The Candido Collective is offering three colour negative films starting at £6.99 and affordable shipping around the world to combat high prices. The films are offered in ISO 200, ISO 400 and ISO 800. The FAQ claims that the film can be developed in standard C41 chemistry.
Click the Buy Now button to get your supply from the Candido Collective!
As many would know, last Sunday, April 30th, was World Pinhole Photography Day. For those of you who enjoyed the day, submit your photographs at the Pinhole Photography Day website. Submissions will be accepted up to June 30th.
Meanwhile, The Online Photographer has an article on the topic, and a few photos. Check out the 4x5 pinhole camera in the article!
Enjoy!
Encountered on the Net in passing, there are several places to buy film in Canada, online and in brick-and-mortar stores.
Checkout this short list of stores in alphabetical order:
* Argentix.ca, Quebec, All Things Film
* Beau Photo, Vancouver, Film and Darkroom
* Camera Traders, Victoria, Film
* Downtown Camera, Toronto, Film Photography
* Flic Film, Alberta, Eco-friendly Film Photography
* Henry's, Toronto, Film Cameras
* McBain Camera, Edmonton, Film
There are doubtless many more. Some of these stores also buy and sell new and used film cameras, darkroom equipment and more.
Polaroid is featuring an array of limited and specialty films on its site. Choose from instant film with with different colour frames: black, gold, red, metallic and David Bowie influenced. Choose round or square frames. Or choose from special effects films, a duochrome film or Polaroid Blue.
All these and many at a discount, at Polaroid Limited & Exclusive.
Obsidian Urbex Photography reviewed Kentmere 400 film in 35mm format last week, with the positive conclusion that it is the film for the beginner photographer. A versatile film stock that is up to the task at a budget cost. The article includes sample photos, photographer's impressions and key features of the film.
To quote the author: "It is true that this is one of the cheapest 35mm film you can buy, but what lies within this budget-friendly car[d]board box punches above its weight for the price tag!"
Check out the article at: Kentmere Pan 400 (35mm Film) Review & Photos.
The Analog.Cafe has a nifty database for tracking film prices of 29 different film stocks sourced from a number of online retailers. This average price for a specific film can give you an idea of whether the roll you are looking at in a local camera store (LCS) or elsewhere is a real deal or maybe a bit overpriced. The decision to buy is yours, or the decision to search for something else that might suit your wallet.
Check out the Analog.Cafe Film Price Tracker.
Join the sub club! 35mmc has an article on the diminutive camera by Julian Tanse titled, So you want to get into Minox photography? Julian takes the reader who has acquired (or is thinking of acquiring) one of these camera through many of the options of actually using the 8x11 subminiature format (millimeters, not inches!).
The article includes suggestions for obtaining and processing film for the camera, using the camera and even scanning options for digitizing the film.
Read on at: So you want to get into Minox photography?
Dmitri gives Polaroid SX-70 B&W instant film a thorough review including characteristics curve in Polaroid B&W SX-70 Instant Film Review on Analog.Cafe. According to Dmitri, the film appears slightly sharper than colour Polaroid film and has 2 - 4 stops of latitude.
Dr. Land first invented Polaroid instant film in 1947 in 8x10 format. His birthday is on May 7th, as we celebrate the 76th year of instant photography as we know it.
Read the article for full details at Polaroid B&W SX-70 Instant Film Review.
Author, Dmitri, walks you through replacing the light seals on a film camera in three easy steps. The gooey mess that old seals can become should be replaced if the camera suffers from light leaks. Leaving the old goo might make a mess.
Dmitri suggests using replacement light seal material, but it is also possible to use black yarn, wound tightly and pressed into the light seal area. This was used on some really old cameras, and lasts a long time.
Read on at Analog.Cafe: replacing light seals on a film camera.
This is posted on April 1st as a joke not-joke. Fujifilm stops producing film! News at 11!
JapanCameraHunter predicts the end of film from Fujifilm, as he suspects the corporation is going through its massive supply of already produced film. His article, FUJIFILM SUSPENDS SALES OF COLOR FILM IN JAPAN! outlines his concerns and the news of the pause.
Fujifilm announced on their Japanese site (in Japanese) that film production for the Japanese market will be paused due to supply chain problems. Both color print film and reversal film will be halted for 120 format and all color print film in 135 format.
Read on at the JCH site: FUJIFILM SUSPENDS SALES OF COLOR FILM IN JAPAN!
Guest writer, Kodachromeguy, on the 35mmc blog wrote about photos his father took around 70 years ago. Still accessible today, these photos look fantastic, because they were recorded on Kodachrome slide film all those many years ago. Short of being tossed out or attacked by fungus, these slides if kept from excess humidity and light will last another 70 years.
As Kodachromeguy puts it, "Some sort of imaging device, like a camera with a macro lens, will be able to copy this data. Will our digital files or “cloud” files be accessible in seven decades? Will we look at a billion Instagram mobile phone dumps in 70 years?"
Read the full article on 35mmc, From the Archives: Kodachromes from Athens, Greece, 1951.
The Online Photogapher writes that he is selling his blog for great profits real soon now. Buyer, Spliff Wayzos, will take over the blog for a tidy sum. Oh, wait, what is the date today?
In a more serious tone, TOP writer, chief bottle washer and owner, Michael C. Johnston, laments the declining revenue for his blog. Is this a malaise cast over all photography media? Or just seen of late for <cough>digital</cough> photography media (Mike mentions DPReview - itself being shut down on April 10th).
Hopefully, this is not the end of TOP, but maybe the days of making a living from blogging about photography are short, if that blog is a bellwether. Perhaps analog photography will be saved this fate?
Your Blogger makes no money from this rag, and so there is little fear of Ag+ Process shutting down due to lack of blog revenues. Other reasons, sure, but not revenues. Keep on reading, faithful Readers!
Addenda:
The Online Photographer's Pateron.
The link to the the article on DCRP shutting down in 2012, mentioned in the second TOP posting.
Photographer, Alex Luyckx, presents five developers to try. An article about five developers off the beaten path to try besides D-76, ID-11, etc. From Pyro to colour kits, complete with stunning photography to demonstrate results, take a look for something to prompt your fancy.
For details, read on!
MiNT, the maker of advanced Instax cameras and modernized Polaroid cameras, is looking at make new a 35mm from scratch. In this article on KosmoFoto, MiNT Camera shows new images of prototype 35mm camera, MiNT camera founder Gary Ho describes the progress and tribulations of developing a new camera. Kosmo's author, Stephen Dowling, likens the camera to the Rollei 35 of the 1960s to 1990s.
MiNT produces the RF70 Instax Wide camera, the SF70 Instax Square camera and TL70 Instax Mini camera. The company also restores SX-70 Polaroid cameras for sales and features the SLR670 Polaroid instant film camera.
Read the article here!
Kosmofoto writes that the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 has been released along with a new social app to share instant photos on social media sites.
The Mini 12 is the first update since the Mini 11 was released in March, 2020. The camera features automatic flash control, easy lens control to access Close Up mode and a variety of colours to choose from.
The app is called Instax Up! and features a convenient single location to store all your high quality scans of your instant images.
Check out the article at: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12.
Kosmofoto features an article on a 1,000 camera stash found in a storage locker. Kristen Cusumano was tasked with clearing out a storage locker, and was told to keep any old film camera equipment found in the locker for payment.
Well, the equipment turned into boxes and boxes of mint condition film cameras and lenses. The lucky find is being portioned out on eBay at KCFVintage. Check it out if you are interested in vintage Minolta, Pentax, Fujica or Canon film cameras.
Chris Gampat, of ThePhoblographer, writes nostalgically on how old film photographs look better than modern photographs. He puts forth three points on the difference between film photos of yesteryear and modern phone snaps. In the end, he urges photographers to take photographs, not snapshots. A photo with intent is better than a passing image captured on a device with endless storage.
Check the article out, and see if you agree: Why Old Film Photos Look So Much Better Than Modern Ones.
There is a rumour that Film Ferrania will launch a new film on April 3rd, Ferrania Orto. A blue/green sensitive emulsion with the look of early cinema and all the silver content of P30. This will be an orthochromatic film, similar to Ilford Ortho in spectral response.
The current News section at Film Ferrania only mentions the availability of a "preview batch" of P30 back in August last year.
Ferrania prefers to write to Kickstarter members whom sponsored the Ferrania project way back, was it in 2014? How the years pass. Your Blogger is not privvy to those communications, due to not sponsoring the project. Initially, the project offered a wide range of perks, which were to be colour E6 slide film in various formats. The project has since only produced P30 in 35mm format, until now perhaps.
ThePhoblographer, a blog about photography in general, has updated their guide to Cinestill film. The update includes the new 400D film that was released last year, available in 35mm and 120 format.
Cinestill is known for taking Kodak cine film, removing the remjet layer and packaging it for still photographers. Get that cinematic movie look with creamy colours and super fine grain even in high speed film.
Check out ThePhoblographers' full guide to Cinestill film.
PetaPixel features the article, "Why Film Photography i sthe Antithesis of AI Art", a cogent piece on the topic by Simon King. Well reasoned and clearly written. Worth the read, even if it is a bit long.