How Ilford Makes Film

I really enjoyed it as well. One of the thoughts which kept occurring to me while I was watching it, was how difficult it was/is going to be for Film Ferrania to ever “get there.” Although I am solidly behind their efforts, duplicating a legitimate, profitable industrial operation like Ilford or Fuji has, seems almost impossible after watching this.
Film, made to a scale which is sustainable: not so easy.
 
What it brought home to me is the huge complexity (and cost) of making film. No wonder Film Ferrania is having so many problems. Didn't bite on that KS project and when it was completed I remember thinking that it was way, I mean way way underfunded.
The digital camera is very complex and you hold that in your hands. The film camera can be relatively simple, to the point of a piece of photo paper fixed to the inside of a light tight box and a tiny hole at the opposite end, like the Ilford Obscura. All the science and technology happen at the film or paper factory.
 
Absolutely wonderful, thank you for sharing! I also advice you to stick around for the credits to enjoy some beautiful portraits.
 
Thanks for the link! A really nice documentation. And it clearly demonstrates how difficult, sophisticated and "rocket-science like" film production is. Especially if you want excellent quality!

Also highly recommended is R. Shanebrooks book "Making Kodak Film", in which this complexity is described in every tiny detail. Excellent read.

Larry Cloetta said:
I really enjoyed it as well. One of the thoughts which kept occurring to me while I was watching it, was how difficult it was/is going to be for Film Ferrania to ever “get there.” Although I am solidly behind their efforts, duplicating a legitimate, profitable industrial operation like Ilford or Fuji has, seems almost impossible after watching this.
Film, made to a scale which is sustainable: not so easy.
Click to expand...

We will see if they succeed. Let's wish them the best.
But what finally should be extremely clear now for all is that this claim by one-man-shows, influencers and small distribution companies like Astrum/Svema, JCH, catlabs, Maco, Kosmo.....etc., that they are "making film" is nonsense. They are only repacking material made by others. And often it is expired, or film with low quality and QC issues, or it is extremely overpriced and so on.
With Ilford, Kodak, Fujifilm, Adox, Foma you know what you get: Fresh film from real film manufacturers. You are on the safe side, and support real production.

Cheers, Jan
 
Thanks for posting this, Larry. A well-made film and a fascinating look into the making of materials I love. The side-eye looks my partner gave me while geeking out on this were priceless too. :)
 
Very interesting and it makes you realise looking at the size of the Ilford plant why Kodak in Rochester was so huge at it's peak.
 
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