A new film option

[evanbaines]

So some folks I know clued me into a new option for film shooters:

http://www.ecn-2.com

Many people have long envied the ECN-2 films available to cinematographers, particularly the 500T Kodak film, which is a high-speed tungsten-balanced film. Anyway, some folks have finally started repackaging the ECN-2 films and selling them to still photographers. The prices may seem a bit high when you first look, but be aware that the prices include both processing (which is NOT C41, so your local lab couldn't do it), and scanning. Given those things, the prices are in line with some of the popular labs like RPL.

I have no dog in this fight, but just ordered some rolls to play with. its nice to see a new film option, especially one that is significantly different than what is out there right now.

 

[Phil Holland]

Interesting...thanks for posting

 

[zauhar]

$150 for 5 rolls or $30 for a roll of film?

I guess it's not totally insane, as $5 film + $10-12 processing = $15-17.

Is there something so special about the cinema film that rates a $15 premium per roll?

Not being combative, just wondering. I would be afraid to waste a frame!

Randy

 

[evanbaines]

I typically pay $18/roll for develop and scan, and $6 per roll for Portra. So its pricey, but its also unique.... I just charge my clients enough that its worthwhile. 🙂

500T is unique. There are NO tungsten balanced high speed films currently available. I'm not 100% satisfied with even the new portra film in low light under tungsten bulbs (at least not for skin tones). I'm not sure if it'll be worth it or not, but the results I've seen posted in comparison are pretty remarkable in some cases. I'm optimistic. I would love to have a tungsten film I felt comfortable shooting at 1600.

 

[Chris101]

I figure, with the talk of it's impending death and all, this kind of pricing structure is what we have to look forward to when new films become available. I'll bet at least part of it is because ECN-2 is a sole provider though.

 

[David Murphy]

Interesting concept - a little pricey though

 

[batterytypehah!]

I typically pay $18/roll for develop and scan, and $6 per roll for Portra. So its pricey, but its also unique.... I just charge my clients enough that its worthwhile. 🙂

If you go by their gallery, it's only for wedding photography, anyway 😛

 

[batterytypehah!]

So alright, $30/roll, everything included. Or is it?

The customer is responsible for return shipping of the negatives.

I'm sorry, but that's nickel-and-diming.

 

[Tim Gray]

I wonder if they will develop and not scan home rolled motion film? You can buy 400 ft of 500T Vision3 for about $250 I think. That should be good for 75-80 rolls. So $3.xx per roll of film. I can scan myself. I just can't develop the stuff.

 

[paulfish4570]

searttle filmworks used to offer this service for about $5, which included slides with the negs, and a fresh roll of film. i saw on wikipedia (consider the sources) that a place in cleveland called double exposure currently offers ecn film and processing.

 

[batterytypehah!]

^ Their website: http://xxlab.angelfire.com/

ECN-2 Film Processing, starting at just $4.86 USD

Note:

Please bear with us as we clean up from a major flood and transition to a new website design. . .

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xxltdlab

I haven't used their services yet but I'm intrigued...

 

[paulfish4570]

IIRC, this film has a warm look to it when shot outdoors, but an overall nice effect.

 

[filmfan]

I want me some 500T.

 

[Griffin]

... it's impending death ...

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling 😀

 

[sevo]

Mind, that place might be much smaller and less experienced than its web site suggests - they can't be doing a large volume if they are running a large machine replenishment process one-shot, against the factory specs and against all reason...

 

[umcelinho]

that film looks VERY amazing. but $30 per roll is quite expensive indeed, even with development and scanning included... I spend about $5 per roll, plus $10 for development with 3000x2000px scan... if I need to push, it's an extra $5. Still cheaper, but the latitude and results won't be as good still.

Also, I don't live in the US, so the whole process is just a no-go for me 🙁

 

[Sparrow]

that film looks VERY amazing. but $30 per roll is quite expensive indeed, even with development and scanning included... I spend about $5 per roll, plus $10 for development with 3000x2000px scan... if I need to push, it's an extra $5. Still cheaper, but the latitude and results won't be as good still.

Also, I don't live in the US, so the whole process is just a no-go for me 🙁

I thought their gallery looked pretty ordinary, a bit cool in daylight, which I like, and OK'ish under tungsten.

Thing is, now that tungsten lighting is becoming harder to find than the film what's the point?

 

[paulfish4570]

that's a good point, Stewart. seems like almost everything is fluorescent nowadays ...

 

[shadowfox]

Wedding photographers who can afford this should go for it.
The more people use the film, the more affordable the whole thing will be.

 

[Rayt]

searttle filmworks used to offer this service for about $5, which included slides with the negs, and a fresh roll of film. i saw on wikipedia (consider the sources) that a place in cleveland called double exposure currently offers ecn film and processing.

Did you try the Seattle Film Works slide and print scam? The concept sounded attractive but the results were total crap. I don't remember what movie film it was but the prints had a bad color cast and the slides were blue. I tried it a few times back thinking I might have done something wrong but that crap was pretty consistent.