miha
Established
Prest_400
Multiformat
They did produce an APX400 substitute, which was shelved after a sold test run in favor of producing CHSII after Efke went bankrupt.
I wonder how easy or hard would it be to put back into production, given the complexity of supply lines and that was manufactured under Inoviscoat and not their new coater.
Mirko does give a positive view in the interview at 17:30 saying there is a market for 400.
OT but if there are players introducing new films (non rebranded) such as Catlabs 320 and 80 film, means there are market openings after all.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
The Bergger Pancro 400 is another new film (which I happen to love as it offers something in between old style HP5 and Delta/Tmax T Grain), but like most things in film there is little information on its viability.
I would say I shoot 90% 400 with 100 next and then the tiniest of smatterings of the extreme end of the range. I'm always happy to experiment with genuine new films.
I would say I shoot 90% 400 with 100 next and then the tiniest of smatterings of the extreme end of the range. I'm always happy to experiment with genuine new films.
Skiff
Well-known
If I remember right, the CEO of ADOX said last year that their future ISO 400/27° will be better than their first try some years ago.
We have to wait and see what this film really is. CatLabs is a distributor, not a film producing factory. Most probably some of the established manufacturers make this for them. And when we have first films tested, we will see from which it is derived and whether it is good.
Skiff
Well-known
It is not really so new. It was developed by Inoviscoat some years ago. For quite some time they did not find a customer for it (in that time the market was still declining). Then they made a deal with Bergger producing this film for them. Bergger is a pure distribution company with no own manufacturing capabilities.
miha
Established
Still, it's the most recent among B&W 400 speed films.
Bergger is certainly not a manufacturer, however the products they offer are unique which is all that matters.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Indeed, it offers me something unique as a film shooter, and is not some expired old traffic camera film in an exciting package.
As to vertical integration, after a lifetime in financial analysis, there are many routes to market and sticking to core competencies is sound business practise. It is irrelevant to me as a consumer.
As to vertical integration, after a lifetime in financial analysis, there are many routes to market and sticking to core competencies is sound business practise. It is irrelevant to me as a consumer.
Skiff
Well-known
Yes, that is right.
But they are completely dependent on the real manufacturers who are producing for them. And that can be problematic: We've just recently seen that with Pancro 400, which was not available for quite a long time in certain formats. The reason for that: Inoviscoat's main business is production of the negative film bases for Polaroid Originals. This production comes first there and has absolut priority. All other, much much smaller customers have to wait up to the point when there is a small free space in IC's production schedule.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I agree with the availability being a problem, I was down to my last two rolls of 35mm. But I am now keeping a larger stock for the next time there's an issue. But contract manufacturing is here to stay in many industries and I don't really get bothered by it. Your mileage evidently varies, but as a 100% film shooter I am glad of the extra choice. Which is the last thing I shall say on the subject as I want to go out and shoot some film!
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Yes, just developed my first two pinhole shots on Adox CHS 100 II. Beautiful tones, and despite one being almost 2 stops under-exposed (I had to guess reciprocity the light was so low - an hour and twenty minutes was far too short) I've got a great image after playing in Lightroom. I'm very impressed!